Minor Alterations 2019
November 2019: Minor Alterations Begins
Hello! My name is Heather and I'm an artist whose work focuses on Historical themes. As a result, few people know how important environmentalism and climate change issues are to me.
I feel there is an atmosphere of hopelessness, resignation and despair. A sense that we as individuals have no power to change the situation. That it's up to Institutions, Companies and Governments to make large scale policy changes... and for us to wait for them to do so.
I believe we have power. Our decisions, our lifestyles and our habits influence our world. Companies and Governments may have the power of policy and law, but we have the power of numbers. If small changes are adopted by 10, 20, 50 people (or more!) it makes an impact.
While Institutions, Companies and Governments go through the motions, I'm making changes.
Minor Alterations is a way for me to share these changes, whether they be newly adopted or already an established part of my life. New Postcards will be available each month on Instagram @thomson.ht and on my website heatherthomsonart.ca. If you'd like to chat or are interested in having postcards sent directly to your inbox each month send, a note to [email protected]
I hope you'll join me in my journey,
Heather J. A. Thomson
I feel there is an atmosphere of hopelessness, resignation and despair. A sense that we as individuals have no power to change the situation. That it's up to Institutions, Companies and Governments to make large scale policy changes... and for us to wait for them to do so.
I believe we have power. Our decisions, our lifestyles and our habits influence our world. Companies and Governments may have the power of policy and law, but we have the power of numbers. If small changes are adopted by 10, 20, 50 people (or more!) it makes an impact.
While Institutions, Companies and Governments go through the motions, I'm making changes.
Minor Alterations is a way for me to share these changes, whether they be newly adopted or already an established part of my life. New Postcards will be available each month on Instagram @thomson.ht and on my website heatherthomsonart.ca. If you'd like to chat or are interested in having postcards sent directly to your inbox each month send, a note to [email protected]
I hope you'll join me in my journey,
Heather J. A. Thomson
December 2019: Handkerchiefs
I agree with your nose. I think handkerchiefs are great!
Handkerchiefs, or hankies, are a reusable alternative to paper tissues that can double as a fashion statement. With a variety of colours and patterns to choose from, monogrammed initials and flower embroidery are an option, but not a must! You can be as bold or traditional as you like! (mine are polka dotted)
Producing paper tissues requires paper pulp from trees or recycled fibers that have been mixed “with a large quantity of water.” This mixture is transferred to a conveyor belt and is then dried and packaged for shipping.* Handkerchiefs reduce resource consumption associated with manufacturing and shipping, because new products are not needed on a continual basis. Waste is also lessened, since hankies are not discarded after each use.
Cleaning hankies may sound gross, but it can be quite simple! I wash mine with the rest of my laundry, and my clothes have been snot free since I started using them a year ago. If you’re interested in learning more about the history and etiquette of handkerchiefs, I highly recommend Schmanners’ podcast episode “Accessories: Handkerchief, Napkin and Fan.”
Feel free to message me at [email protected] if would like to chat. I hope to see more hankie users out there!
Heather J. A. Thomson
*“Cool Kids Stuff.” Cottonsoft.co.nz. https://www.cottonsoft.co.nz our-community kids-tissue-paper.html (accessed December 28, 2019)
Handkerchiefs, or hankies, are a reusable alternative to paper tissues that can double as a fashion statement. With a variety of colours and patterns to choose from, monogrammed initials and flower embroidery are an option, but not a must! You can be as bold or traditional as you like! (mine are polka dotted)
Producing paper tissues requires paper pulp from trees or recycled fibers that have been mixed “with a large quantity of water.” This mixture is transferred to a conveyor belt and is then dried and packaged for shipping.* Handkerchiefs reduce resource consumption associated with manufacturing and shipping, because new products are not needed on a continual basis. Waste is also lessened, since hankies are not discarded after each use.
Cleaning hankies may sound gross, but it can be quite simple! I wash mine with the rest of my laundry, and my clothes have been snot free since I started using them a year ago. If you’re interested in learning more about the history and etiquette of handkerchiefs, I highly recommend Schmanners’ podcast episode “Accessories: Handkerchief, Napkin and Fan.”
Feel free to message me at [email protected] if would like to chat. I hope to see more hankie users out there!
Heather J. A. Thomson
*“Cool Kids Stuff.” Cottonsoft.co.nz. https://www.cottonsoft.co.nz our-community kids-tissue-paper.html (accessed December 28, 2019)