Is big better?

On Monday, 24 November 2008 I wrote the blog: have you ever been asked: Do you care?

with this badge but a lot smaller. I thought the original badge was too small. but know i think this badge is too big. grrrr.... just cant get it right. what do you think?

Doves not Swallows

Ahhh, the joys of Shrink Plastic:) I made these dove badges. I see quite a few people with swallow tattoos on their chests or hoodies with them on and I really like the placement of them.

However, I am not quite sure of the meaning behind the swallows. I think it relates back to the Navy. Lots of tattoos and alternative images such as swallows in this placement seem to refer to violence (army, navy, guns, daggers etc) so i wanted to turn that on its head and to doves instead.

Doves represent peace and the colour of white makes me think of innocence and purity too. I get asked sometimes why i have doves and its a great opportunity to talk about peace and actively searching for it (hence the green leaf in their mouths that link to the biblical story of Noah's Ark).

Everything i make whether as public art (cross stitch graffiti, mini banners, hidden letters etc) or to wear (belts, badges, keyrings etc) I want it to make people think and ask questions so we can have interesting discussions about social justice and peace.

So if you see me with my doves on - now held by Gaffer tape on the back:( - I hope you say hello and have a chat with me about how we can aim for peace in the world :) x

have you ever been asked: Do you care?

You will soon realise that I absolutely luuuuuvvvv Shrink Plastic. I can't remember when I first found out about it but it was year ago and I get excited about using it and thinking of new things to make with it.

I made this badge last year and wear it as often as I can. It is a speech bubble saying 'Do you care?' and I have had quite a lot of comments about it from people I know and also complete randomers.

My hope with making this badge was to get people to ask the question to themselves. It's open enough for people to link it to what they are thinking already or ask me to explain it more. It's a great conversation starter into talking about global poverty and social justice issues.

one example: I was at Wagamamas with my amazing older sister one day. We were sharing a Yaki Soba (its the only dish i ever get; its too good not to have it!) and drinking tap water. Big Spenders I know. And what makes it worse is that it was near Liverpool Street and Bank, during rush hour so lots of corporate's were there spending loadsa money watching us order tap water and more free green tea. However, luckily our waiter was lovely, understood our budget lifestyle and even gave us some 2 for 1 vouchers for next time. Legend! Anyway, back to the point: the lovely waiter asked what my badge meant. My response was "so do you care about people living in poverty, the effect your carbon footprint have on the world and how everything we do makes a difference in the world?" He looked at me like he had just bitten into a lemon but then smiled and said he will "think about it" = result!:) I hope I did it in a non-threatening, smiley way and not a preachy way.

The badge is te easiest Shrink Plastic thing to make. If you want one send me your details and I'll post you one:)x