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: @ajcampkc
Pinterest: @ajcampbell

Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
The Foundry at Tantau Studio

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

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