Sponge Stories

Siobhan Byrd
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Personal Journals

Sponge Stories is a podcast for face painters who want to hear what the industry is really like from the people living it. Hosted by me, Siobhan from Theatrix Faces, each episode is a relaxed conversation with a working face painter. We talk about the good parts, the tricky parts, and everything in between. From finding your own style to dealing with comparison, confidence, pricing, and those moments where you question what you are doing, it all comes up. Some episodes are focused, some wander a bit, but that is where the real stuff tends to come out. If you have ever thought is it just me, this is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4d ago

    Laura - Sparkle Inc

    What does it actually feel like to be a brand new face painter? This week I’m chatting with Laura from Sparkle Inc about the bit we don’t always see online: the nerves, the overthinking, imposter syndrome and the reality of trying to build a business from scratch. We talk about getting that first paid booking and suddenly realising you actually have to do it, learning to trust yourself, posting on social media when it feels like nobody is listening, and why sometimes you just have to keep showing up anyway. A really honest conversation about those early days of face painting, from someone who is right in the middle of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Sep 14

    Sam - Essentials by Samantha Helen

    This week on Sponge Stories, I’m chatting with Samantha Helen, face and body artist, educator and founder of Essentials by Samantha Helen. Samantha shares her slightly unconventional route into the industry, from working on a MAC counter and painting herself with some very old Snazaroo, to teaching, building a team of artists and creating her own range of professional face painting products. We get properly behind the scenes of Essentials, including how products are developed, what actually goes into making face paint safe and compliant, why different paint formulations behave differently and how Samantha decides whether a new product idea is worth pursuing. We also talk corporate face painting, building a business, social media pressure, supporting other artists and why sometimes you need to remember that, actually, no one cares quite as much as you think they do. A really interesting look at the business and science behind the products sitting in our kits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Sep 7

    Jade Laforést-Wolfe - The Witch & The Wolfe

    This week I’m joined by face painter and body artist Jade La Forest Wolfe. We chat about Jade’s first chaotic face painting jobs, nightmare clients, knowing your worth, burnout and finding your own style. Jade also shares how she entered her first body painting competition having never completed a full body paint, her journey into competitive body art, meeting Nick Wolfe and what they’re building together with The Witch & The Wolfe. A really fun conversation about creativity, taking chances and simply keeping swimming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Aug 31

    Beshlie-Ann - Glittery Rainbow Cat

    In this episode of Sponge Stories, Siobhan chats with Beshlie-Ann Carver-Carpenter from Glittery Rainbow Cat. Beshlie shares how she went from studying Fine Art and working as a veterinary nurse to discovering face painting after her children started drawing on each other with Sharpies. They talk about learning to trust your instincts, the designs that still cause anxiety, managing queues, the importance of industry friendships and Beshlie’s time as secretary and Chair of FACE during the Covid years. Beshlie also takes us behind the scenes of organising the Hastings Face Painting Jam and explains why creating accessible opportunities for newer painters matters to her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Aug 24

    Michelle & Michael - iPaint Faces

    This week on Sponge Stories, I’m joined by husband and wife team Michelle and Michael from I Paint Faces. We chat about how they’ve built the business together, growing a team of painters and landing what sounds like the face painter dream: their own permanent Paint House at Knockhatch Adventure Park. We also get into event positioning, managing huge queues, knowing when to take time off and why sometimes you just have to reach out and ask for the opportunity. A really fun chat about face painting, business and what it’s actually like working alongside your other half. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Aug 17

    Erica Walsh - Art Vision Events

    This week I’m joined by Erica Jane Walsh from Art Vision Events, who is celebrating an incredible 20 years in the face painting industry. Erica takes us right back to the beginning, from turning up to her first bookings with only a handful of designs, to developing her instantly recognisable wispy style and building a career that was originally only ever meant to be temporary. We chat about difficult customers, knowing when to stand your ground, finding your own artistic style, rebranding a business, staying creative after two decades and why sometimes growing your business isn’t actually the goal. Plus, Erica shares why she’s so proud to still be painting after everything the last few years have thrown at her. A really lovely, funny and honest chat about 20 years of life as a working face painter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Aug 10

    Mackenzie - MJC Artistry

    🇨🇦 NEW EPISODE! And Sponge Stories has officially gone international! 🎙️ This week I’m joined by Mackenzie from MJC Artistry in Vancouver, Canada, for my first proper international recording, complete with time zones and a VERY early start for Mackenzie! Mackenzie only started face painting three years ago after a conversation at her local rock and gem club sparked an idea for rock themed face painting. Fast forward to now and she’s gone full time, built a network of artists, worked huge corporate events and even painted at the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver! And we cover SO much in this episode. We chat about the reality of entrepreneurship and why actually sitting down and painting faces can sometimes feel like the break from running the business. We get into pricing, putting your prices on your website, knowing your actual costs and profit margins, finding your ideal client, networking outside of the face painting world and making the move from seeing other painters as competition to seeing them as your community. We also talk about something I’ve personally been enjoying recently, Mackenzie’s Face Paint Colouring Book and her new Face Painter Planner, both of which she very kindly sent over to me. We chat about how they came about, why she created them and the importance of actually taking action when you have an idea rather than waiting for everything to be perfect. AND Mackenzie gives us a little exclusive preview of the business book she’s currently working on 👀 There are so many brilliant business conversations packed into this one. 🎧 Mackenzie from MJC Artistry is OUT NOW on Sponge Stories. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. And apparently Sponge Stories can now officially say it has crossed the Atlantic! 🇬🇧🇨🇦 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Aug 3

    Bex - BAPIA & FABAC UK

    What does it really take to organise one of the biggest face and body art conventions in the UK? In this episode of Sponge Stories, I'm joined by Bex from BAPIA and UK FABAC for a behind the scenes look at everything that goes into planning a convention. From months of preparation and juggling countless moving parts, to creating an event where everyone feels welcome, Bex shares the reality of bringing the face painting community together. We also chat about building confidence, making connections in the industry, why conventions can feel intimidating for first timers, and why taking that first step through the door might be one of the best things you ever do for your business. Whether you're a convention regular or you've always wondered if it's worth going, this episode is packed with honest insights, practical advice, and plenty of encouragement. If you've been thinking about attending UK FABAC this year, this episode might just give you the push you need. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

Sponge Stories is a podcast for face painters who want to hear what the industry is really like from the people living it. Hosted by me, Siobhan from Theatrix Faces, each episode is a relaxed conversation with a working face painter. We talk about the good parts, the tricky parts, and everything in between. From finding your own style to dealing with comparison, confidence, pricing, and those moments where you question what you are doing, it all comes up. Some episodes are focused, some wander a bit, but that is where the real stuff tends to come out. If you have ever thought is it just me, this is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Siobhan Byrd
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Siobhan Byrd
  • Show Website
    Sponge Stories

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