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.

  1. 1d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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! 🇬🇧🇨🇦

  5. 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.

  6. Jul 27

    Jade - Party with Jelly Jade

    What does it take to turn a face painting business into a complete party experience? This week I'm joined by Jade from Party with Jelly Jade, whose business has evolved from painting faces into entertaining thousands of children at birthday parties across the UK. We chat about how it all began, from painting Batman designs straight from a face paint book while hosting McDonald's birthday parties, to building a brand that parents trust to take the stress out of party day. Jade shares why she's never been afraid to try new ideas, why adapting your business is so important, and how years of experience have shaped the way she works with children and families. We also dive into the changing world of children's parties, whether bigger budgets really create better memories, and why the experience children have will always matter more than expensive decorations. If you've ever wondered how to stand out, build a memorable brand, or simply create magical moments for children, this episode is packed with honest stories, practical insights and plenty of laughs along the way. So grab a cuppa and come and join us for another episode of Sponge Stories.

  7. Jul 7

    Lisa - Pop Stencils

    What starts with a 13-year-old charging 50p for face painting in her front garden somehow leads to architecture, nightclub face painting, a laser cutter in the living room and a physical face paint shop in Glasgow. In this episode of Sponge Stories, I’m joined by Lisa, the face painter and business owner behind POP Stencils and Face Paint Pro. Lisa shares how her early career took plenty of twists and turns before the skills she picked up along the way eventually came together to help her build multiple businesses within the face painting industry. We chat about the reality of going full time, why buying cheap can mean buying twice, learning to trust your gut, pricing yourself appropriately and why we shouldn’t make ourselves small just to appear more affordable. Lisa also takes us behind the scenes of POP Stencils, from designing and testing each stencil to the surprisingly complex process of laser cutting them herself in Glasgow. We talk about supporting independent suppliers, the impact of cheap copied products, the realities of retail, Brexit, stock, tiny profit margins and the pressure of balancing several businesses at once. And just when I thought we were safely into the quick fire round, Lisa casually revealed the biggest face painting disaster I have ever heard on this podcast… This episode is packed with business lessons, industry insight, unexpected career turns and a very strong reminder that you genuinely never know where face painting might take you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

  8. Jun 30

    Nick Wolfe

    As one half of the legendary Wolfe twins, Nick helped shape modern face and body painting as we know it. From creating the iconic Wolfe FX paints and winning World Bodypainting Championships to teaching artists across the globe, his influence can be found in almost every face painter's kit and technique today. We chat about how he and his twin brother Brian transformed the industry, what it was really like building Wolfe FX, and the incredible journey from working in special effects makeup to becoming one of the world's most respected educators. Nick also shares his memories of Brian, reflects on the legacy they created together, and talks about the next chapter of his career with his wife Jade as The Witch and the Wolfe. Whether you've been painting for twenty years or you've only just picked up your first brush, this episode is packed with stories, history, inspiration and advice from someone who has witnessed – and helped create – the evolution of our industry. If you've ever painted with Wolfe White, learned from one of Nick's books, or simply wondered where so many of today's techniques began, you won't want to miss this conversation. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. If you enjoy the episode, please follow Sponge Stories, leave a review, and share it with another face painter. It really helps more artists discover the podcast.

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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Siobhan Byrd
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Siobhan Byrd
  • Show Website
    Sponge Stories

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