Windowsill Chats Margo Tantau
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- Kunst
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Windowsill Chats is a podcast for artists and creatives who are curious about what it's like to live, work & walk a creative path. You'll find honest stories, refreshing tips, artistic business advice and real conversations with global artists & makers just like you. Host Margo Tantau, a 30+ year Creative Director, Product Designer & maker, is a cheerleader for your success. Come grab a cuppa & join her in her sunny windowsill.
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The Artist's Path to Financial Stability: IRA Insights, Maximizing Benefits, and Reaching Full Creative Potential with Hannah Cole
Margo is joined again by tax expert for creatives, Hannah Cole. Hannah specializes in working with creative businesses and mission-driven solopreneurs. A long-time working artist herself, she’s helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education, through her Money Bootcamp program, speaking engagements, and through her podcast. Margo and Hannah unpack the complex world of finances, exploring the impactful financial habits that can safeguard your future, the emotional hurdles around financial literacy, and how shifts in mindset can lead to financial empowerment. They also dive into the importance of IRA contributions and the significant tax advantages they offer, the impact of non-compete laws on wages and even some antitrust law news.
Margo and Hannah discuss:
Why understanding and managing finances can feel particularly hard for creative businesses
Some of the mental shifts necessary for artists to tackle financial understanding and planning effectively
Non-compete agreements
Antitrust laws and how small businesses are currently being impacted
Understanding state business licensing and quarterly taxes for freelancers
Daily investment tips to potentially reach a million-dollar retirement fund
Hannah’s advocacy for basic, proven investment methods over complex strategies
Why you should focus on minimizing fees and long-term wealth building
Sign up for Money Bootcamp with Hannah and receive $100 off by using code WINDOWSILL at checkout!
Connect with Hannah:
https://www.sunlighttax.com/
https://www.sunlighttax.com/podcast
https://www.sunlighttax.com/deductionsguide
Free class on-demand: go.sunlighttax.com/register
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
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Building a Business that Resonates and Rewards with Leigh Standley of Curly Girl Design
Margo is joined by the incredibly talented Leigh Standley, founder of Curly Girl Design. Lee has been making waves in the greeting card industry since 2003, creating beautifully crafted cards that resonate deeply. In this episode, Leigh opens up about the evolution of her business through the seismic shifts in technology and consumer behaviors over the past two decades. From the early days of e-commerce to dealing with the challenges brought on by the pandemic that forced a business model shift from wholesale to direct sales, Leigh shares her journey of adaptability, passion, and persistence. She also shares her thoughtful approach to business, emphasizing personal values, the importance of meaningful connections, and why she remains committed to crafting products that genuinely speak to the heart.
Margo and Leigh discuss:
The history of Curly Girl Design since its inception in 2003
How her personal values have influenced the decision-making process in her business
Why she pivoted from wholesale to direct sales and challenges that arose during the shift
Advice for creative entrepreneurs and the importance to think beyond the “just start” phase
The evergreen business model
Selling meaningful, consumable items that you’re proud of as a creative
The importance of interacting directly with your customers
Business success beyond the financial aspect
Her new mystery box product offering
And more!
Connect with Leigh:
https://www.curlygirldesign.com/
https://www.instagram.com/curlygirldesign
https://www.instagram.com/leigh.standley/
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
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Pattern Pulse: Fostering Creative Communities and Advocacy in the Australian Design Scene with Rachael King
Margo is joined by Aussie Surface Pattern Designer Rachael King. Obsessed with pattern from an early age, Rachael King grew up watching her talented mother making clothes not only for her and her siblings but for bridal and formal events too. While working in her mom's fabric shop, she mused over how the pattern repeated over the fabric and wondered how fabric was printed and wouldn't it be wonderful to design fabric too? It took another 23 years before Rachael was able to start a diploma in graphic design that would then lead into her dream of becoming a surface pattern designer. Represented by Nerida Hansen at Surtex in 2017 led to her first licensed collection with Spotlight stores and since then she has worked with fashion, homewares and greeting card companies, been a part owner in a print-on-demand fabric business, self-published two books, and is now teaching and mentoring in her much-loved industry. Rachael adores the connection she makes with fellow designers through her various touchpoints and feels very privileged to be able to inspire and nurture emerging surface designers.
Margo and Rachael discuss:
Rachael’s creative path and how her mom instilled a love for creativity in her
Self-publishing her book, Pattern Pulse, after initial rejection
Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Big Magic, and how it catalyzed her creative endeavors
Tribulations and triumphs of women in the creative business landscape: asserting value, advocating for fair compensation, and having a network of peers and mentors
The importance of physical art in a digital age
Why individuality and authenticity are crucial to the art industry
How artists can stay true to their unique style while also being commercially viable
Challenges of building a creative community in Australia
The influence and support that often comes from maternal figures in fostering creativity
Thoughts and tips for artists facing low payment offers
Connect with Rachael:
www.rachaelking.com.au
www.patternpulse.com.au
www.instagram.com/rachaeldoesdesign
www.instagram.com/australiansurfacedesigners
www.facebook.com/rachaelkingdesignsbrisbane
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
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From Tattoos to Wallpaper: The Impact of Authenticity and Creative Drive with Melanie Nead (Part 2)
In this part 2 of 2 episode, Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.
Margo and Melanie discuss:
How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients
The power in systems in order to save time and costs
How building in a margin of error to the cost of projects has helped her team
Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work
Math and knowing your numbers as a creative business owner
Positioning yourself and how it can build confidence
And more!
Connect with Melanie:
www.lonesomepictopia.com
www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon/inthewindowsill
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From Tattoos to Wallpaper: The Impact of Authenticity and Creative Drive with Melanie Nead (Part 1)
Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.
Margo and Melanie discuss:
Her creative path and the transition from tattoo artist to surface pattern designer
navigating the balance between tradition and innovation within her art
How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients
Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work
The difficulty that comes with shifting career paths
Discovering a passion for design after tattooing
The impact of design and creativity on mental health
The magic that comes from authenticity and experimental drive
Business systems for creative entrepreneurship and how platforms like Instagram can still be a powerhouse for business growth
Balancing the need for creative mental space with the business demands of schedules and deadlines
Maintaining and revitalizing historic crafts and artistic expressions
Cinema as a design inspiration
Connect with Melanie:
www.lonesomepictopia.com
www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon/inthewindowsill
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The Creative Journey to Inner Freedom: Using Art Making as a Portal for Personal Discovery and Self Expression with Jessica Swift
Margo is joined once again by surface pattern designer, intuitive art maker, and course creator Jessica Swift. As a child, Jessica sported a nearly-permanent Crayola marker stain on her left arm, from pinky to elbows so, naturally, she became an artist. She creates colorful, uplifting artwork and manufactures her own products in her studio in Portland, Oregon. She also collaborates with inspiring companies and publishers to create branded products such as fabric, stationery, puzzles, books, and more. She's the author of 3 books and teaches online classes on topics including pattern design, color, and intuitive art-making.
Margo and Jessica discuss:
The pivotal moment that changed the trajectory of Jessica’s career as an artist
How she combines outer art mediums with an inner focus for healing
Using art making as a portal for personal discovery and self expression
How to tune out external noise in order to trust your inner voice better
How engaging with art can impact decision-making
Jessica’s approach in how she uses art as a vehicle for personal growth and insight rather than just an aesthetic outcome
Authentic expression online
Her upcoming course, Unleashed: A Creative Journey to Inner Freedom
Connect with Jessica:
www.jessicaswift.com
www.instagram.com/jessicaswift
https://www.artforselfcare.com/unleashed
Windowsill Chats Episode 105
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
Kundenrezensionen
Creative inspiration and happy place
Margo, thank you so much for your wonderful podcast. In the midst of my daily chaos listening to you and the fabulous artists you interview, my mind wanders to new insights and so many ideas, it just makes me happy! Much love from Germany, Lena
Cosy, familar, encouraging
Love to listen while working! Thanks