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Hello & Welcome
to the new Below the Salt website. We are a small family run business, bringing a range of gifts to like minded folky folks.
Below the Salt designs and artwork are created by Nick Watton, who has been scribbling and honing his skills ever since he could first hold a pencil. Indeed at the tender age of 10 years old, his headmaster at primary school, in Cornwall, predicted a career in art. Nick went on to train at Falmouth College of Art & Design achieving an HND with distinction and put his skills to use illustrating for major companies, childrens books and postal stamps.
Nick has been a lifelong fan of folk music together with myths & legends and all things historical. This has resulted in a headful of designs that were itching to be unleashed. Below the Salt has given him the opportunity to unclip the lead of restraint and let loose his imagination.
As with all good teams, working along side Nick is his wife Julie, who is fortunately a fellow enthusiast in all things folky, mythological and historical. Julie provides an untiring supportive and practical role in the running of Below the Salt, with, it has to be said, the odd good idea of her own!
We are also pleased to introduce the work of our good friend Emma Drey, whose colourful designs are, we think, quite delightful. These quality prints are in a limited edition of 500.
And for all those not in the know, Below the Salt means the peasants and poor. In the medieval world, salt was an expensive commodity. It was placed on the lords high table in the eating hall. Those of the lower classes therefore sat on there lower trestle tables had no access to the condiment and were ‘Below the Salt’. It is also of course one of our favourite albums by Steeleye Span.