Windowsill Chats

• Creative Current Events: Grandma Hobbies, Pink Tariffs and Uniqlo Coffee Shops

  Margo and Abby catch up on pink taxes, party store shakeups, and grandma hobbies making a comeback in the latest episode of Creative Current Events. This special segment of Windowsill Chats dives into cultural shifts, small business realities, and brand storytelling that’s catching their creative eye. They also explore how big-box stores like Michaels are filling retail voids left by Party City, how hobby shops in the UK are struggling, and what all this means for the crafting world. The conversation also dives into the rising conversation around the Pink Tax and Pink Tariffs—and how these unseen costs hit both consumers and creative entrepreneurs. Plus: a fresh look at niche content creation, a POD platform for artists, why Uniqlo is serving coffee now, and the nostalgic charm of slow, tactile hobbies like embroidery, crochet, and calligraphy. Articles Mentioned: Michaels & Party City https://finance.yahoo.com/news/michaels-seeing-void-left-party-133819782.html HobbyCraft Decline in the UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y651327eko The Pink Tax https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/taxes/articles/the-pink-tax-costs-women-thousands-of-dollars-over-their-lifetimes Pink Tariffs on Women’s Clothing https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/16/business/womens-clothes-pink-tariffs/index.html eeBoo Founder on Tariffs Impacting Small Businesses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBRplSmhI-8 Canvastry Print-on-Demand Platform https://www.canvastrywholesale.com/ Grandma Hobbies Are In https://theeverymom.com/grandma-hobbies/ Uniqlo’s NYC Coffee Shop & Lifestyle Strategy https://ny.eater.com/2025/3/19/24388687/uniqlo-coffee-open-nyc-cafe-manhattan https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/contents/lifewear-magazine/styling/ Den of Pin (Hyper-niche Community Building) https://www.instagram.com/den_of_pin/ Yeti Product Storytelling Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSpdnXWlgJg Huckberry’s Cinematic Product Launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFtu6Bi-blY Amy Poehler & Rashida Jones Launch “Good Hang” Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF-p8z_R2q0     Connect with Abby: https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/ Instagram: @ajcampkcPinterest: @ajcampbell Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill The Foundry at Tantau Studio

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• The Art of Being, Not Just Doing: Creativity Beyond Productivity and Perfectionism with Maria Bowler

  Margo is joined by writer, coach, and retreat leader Maria Bowler for a conversation about redefining creativity beyond the limits of productivity. Maria helps creatives transform resistance into clarity and insight, drawing on her background as a magazine editor, creative writing teacher, and holder of a master's degree in religion and the arts from Yale University. Originally from Canada, she now lives with her family in the Driftless region of the U.S., where she continues to explore and teach a more holistic approach to creative living.   Margo and Maria discuss: Maria’s creative journey, from childhood passion to overcoming major blocks How to redefine resistance as a valuable teacher rather than an obstacle The differences between productivity and creativity—and why confusing the two leads to burnout Seeing creativity as a collaboration with life, not just a series of tasks The impact of perfectionism on creative expression and how to loosen its grip Embracing whole-life creativity as part of daily living, not a separate act Balancing creative output with essential intake and inspiration Giving yourself permission to make mistakes and stay curious Practical strategies for reconnecting with creativity during stuck periods Highlights from Maria’s new book Making Time: A New Vision for Crafting a Life Beyond Productivity   Connect with Maria: www.mariabowler.com www.mariabowler.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/mariaevbowler Connect with Margo:  www.windowsillchats.com @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

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• Sketches of a Colorful Life: Monika Forsberg on Art, Islands, and Embracing the Unfinished

  Margo is joined by Monika Forsberg, an award-winning illustrator and surface pattern designer known for her playful, colorful, and striking work across books, fabrics, homewares, toys, and more. Born and raised in a small coastal town in Swedish Lapland, Monika moved to London in 1995 where she now lives with her husband, two children, and a delightful mix of pets. She’s a keen swimmer, aspiring stamp collector, and former animator who believes in being versatile over niche. Her work is rich with curiosity, imagination, and a deep love for creative exploration. In this warm and meandering conversation, Monika and Margo dive into the layered realities of a creative career—one that doesn’t always follow a linear path but is all the more beautiful for it.   Margo and Monika discuss: Monika’s upbringing in Swedish Lapland and how it shaped her worldview Moving to the UK and studying art in multiple forms Embracing versatility over specialization in creative work The joys (and challenges) of working with client briefs Why personal projects are essential to her process How she uses Instagram and Substack to share more authentically Dreaming up whimsical projects—like a fantastical fair Approaching tricky client relationships with honesty and grace Continuing to grow, shift, and stay creatively energized   Connect with Monika:  Website: walkyland.com Instagram: @monika_forsberg   Connect with Margo:  Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats Patreon: www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill The Foundry: https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

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• From Page to Picture: Brian Selznick on Storytelling, Cinematic Inspiration, and the Power of Visual Narratives

  Margo is joined by Brian Selznick, the wildly imaginative author and illustrator whose groundbreaking books have redefined how we tell stories. Known for seamlessly blending text and image in powerful, cinematic ways, Brian shares the origins of his creative process, the stories behind his best-known works, and the magic of collaborative art-making. Together, they explore what it means to honor both the reader and the story, why grief and love are ever-present themes in his work, and how he approaches retelling iconic tales through fresh and inclusive lenses. From The Invention of Hugo Cabret to Run Away With Me, Brian’s work invites readers into deeply felt worlds where art and narrative become one.   Margo and Brian discuss: The start of Brian’s creative process and how he moves from words to illustration His unique storytelling style and cinematic inspirations What it was like to have The Invention of Hugo Cabret adapted by Martin Scorsese Collaborating with director Todd Haynes on the Wonderstruck film adaptation His philosophy on creative ownership and openness in adaptations Designing the 20th anniversary covers for the Harry Potter series and grappling with the controversies surrounding J.K. Rowling. The importance of telling authentic queer love stories in his new novel Run Away With Me Exploring universal themes of love, grief, and time in narrative The reimagining of The Nutcracker with a historical, class-conscious twist How Brian sees the future of storytelling as both expansive and inclusive   Connect with Brian: https://brianselznick.com https://instagram.com/thebrianselznick   Connect with Margo:  www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

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• Watercolor, Words & What Heals Us: Jaime Townzen’s Creative Meandering Path

  Margo is joined by Jaime Townzen, a Southern California-based writer and professional artist whose watercolor paintings have earned international acclaim. Jaime’s creative talents span both visual art and the written word—her essays and microfiction have been featured in Light Magazine and Fairfield Scribes, and her debut novel Absorbed was released in January 2025. When she’s not painting or writing, Jaime enjoys soaking up the sun at the beach with her family and their dogs or catching live music performances.   Margo and Jaime discuss: The intersection of writing and visual art in Jaime’s creative practice The journey of publishing her debut novel, Absorbed How she built an art career with watercolor as her medium The role of intuition and emotion in both painting and storytelling How grief has shaped Jaime’s creative process and how she walks alongside it The way her lived experiences inform and enrich her writing How motherhood and family life influence her artistic expression The importance of honoring slow seasons and creative rest Jaime’s thoughts on community, connection, and what success really means   Connect with Jaime:  http://www.instagram.com/jaimegetscreative https://www.facebook.com/jaime.townzen/ https://tiktok.com/@jaimegetscreative jaimetownzen.com   Connect with Margo:  www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

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