Windowsill Chats

In this replay episode, Margo is joined by multi-passionate creative Kim Bloomberg, the joyful force behind Studio Art Beat. A fine artist, educator, and self-proclaimed art supply nerd, Kim brings a refreshing perspective to the creative journey—one that's less about staying in your lane and more about following curiosity wherever it leads. With a background in both fine art and education, over two decades of teaching experience, and years running her own jewelry business, Kim shares how she ultimately found fulfillment by embracing her ADHD-fueled love for switching mediums and diving headfirst into new materials.
After leaving behind the New York hustle for the artistic charm of Chicago's North Shore, Kim launched Studio Art Beat as an inclusive space to demystify art and make creativity accessible to all ages. She now leads workshops, partners with brands like Gelli Arts, and teaches online courses—including one that brings rhinestone bedazzling to the masses. Through her story, Kim reminds us that freedom, play, and experimentation are not distractions—they're the path.
Margo and Kim discuss:
Growing up in an art-loving family and the creative influence of her parents and grandfather.
Letting go of a long-term jewelry business and the guilt that came with that decision.
How embracing her neurodivergent brain led to business clarity and personal joy.
Turning her natural desire to switch mediums into a strength rather than a struggle.
Building an online art education platform that's welcoming, inclusive, and non-intimidating.
Why sharing her process openly (rather than gatekeeping) has helped her business grow.
Collaborating with brands while maintaining authenticity and community connection.
The value of playful creativity for both kids and adults—and why it's never too late to start.
How she's made rhinestones cool again with her Cricut-powered online course.
The beauty in allowing your creative identity to evolve—and giving others permission to do the same.


Connect with Kim:
www.studioartbeat.com 
www.instagram.com/studioartbeat
 
Connect with Margo:
https://www.windowsillchats.com
https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by artist, author, and educator Lisa Solomon to discuss her newest book, Art, Craft, Color—a thoughtfully curated collection of essays, reflections, and creative projects designed to inspire a more playful, hands-on approach to making. Lisa's work explores the intersection of art, craft, and personal history, often blending unexpected materials and techniques to challenge traditional boundaries. Alongside her studio practice, she teaches at the college level and has authored several books on color and creativity.
In this conversation, Lisa offers a behind-the-scenes look at her process while reflecting on experimentation, perfectionism, and the power of community.
Margo and Lisa discuss:
The origin story behind Art, Craft, Color and how the project came to life
The collaborative process of curating artists, materials, and color palettes
Blurring the lines between art and craft, and why that distinction matters less than we think
Embracing experimentation and stepping outside your creative comfort zone
Letting go of perfectionism and focusing on process over outcome
The impact of social media on creativity—both the inspiration and the pressure
Why working with your hands is more important than ever in today's world
Building community and connection through shared creative practices
Connect with Lisa:
Website: www.lisasolomon.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisasolomon


Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

In this replay episode, Margo is joined by tax expert Hannah Cole who 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 from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight podcast. She is the founder of Sunlight Tax. As artists carve their paths through various industries, they encounter a myriad of challenges, yet financial literacy is rarely addressed, leading to feelings of failure and shame. Today's conversation with Hannah sheds light on this systemic failure and turns it into a journey of empowerment and self-compassion (something all creatives should have)!
Margo and Hannah discuss:
The responsibilities that come with being a small business owner in the US
Navigating self-employment taxes and optimizing deductions
Personal struggles that Hannah faced within her own creative career and financial literacy
What propelled her towards accounting education
How she acts as a translator between the creative and tax worlds
Simple advice artists can implement today when it comes to money management
Her Money Bootcamp program and podcast
How to save more money
And more!
Connect with Hannah:
www.instagram.com/sunlighttax
www.sunlighttax.com
www.sunlighttax.com/podcast
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo sits down with artist, writer, and creator Emily Gaines Demsky for a conversation centered on creativity, perspective, and the quiet power of noticing what's good. Emily makes vibrant floral paintings (symbols of hope and possibility), and is the founder of Tell Me 3 Good Things, a Substack community practice centered on noticing, naming, and sharing simple moments of goodness each day. Through her work, she invites others to shift their perspective in meaningful, life-giving ways.
Emily's approach blends art, writing, and daily ritual into a powerful reminder: even in difficult seasons, we have the ability to choose where we place our attention. From her father's lasting influence to the organic growth of her community, this conversation explores how small, intentional practices can create profound change.
Margo and Emily discuss:
How perspective is a daily choice—and how it shapes both creativity and resilience
The origin and impact of the "Tell Me 3 Good Things" practice
The role of grief, joy, and life transitions in shaping creative work
How authenticity fosters deep, meaningful community
The symbolism of flowers as hope, possibility, and light
Toxic positivity versus building resilience
How noticing and naming goodness can shift the way we experience our lives
Connect with Emily:
Website: www.emilygainesdemsky.com
Tell Me 3 Good Things on Substack: emilygainesdemsky.substack.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilygainesdemsky
Connect with Margo:
Website: www.windowsillchats.com
Instagram: @windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by artist and illustrator Madison Phipps, the creative force behind Madison Phipps Studio. Known for her feminine, timeless botanical artwork rooted in nostalgia and storytelling, Madison shares how she's built a growing art business while balancing motherhood and a full-time job. From painting in the quiet margins of her day to landing dream collaborations and launching collections, this conversation is a refreshing and honest look at what it really takes to pursue creativity in the "messy middle."
Margo and Madison explore the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and courageous decisions that helped her turn a personal creative practice into a thriving business, without waiting until everything felt "ready."
Margo and Madison discuss:
Using the question "what's the best that could happen?" as a roadmap for growth and decision-making
How sharing her journey on TikTok helped her grow a community and gain visibility
Pitching yourself before you feel ready—and how cold outreach led to major opportunities
The inspiration behind her nostalgic, botanical artwork rooted in childhood memories
Launching and sustaining a snail mail print club as a recurring revenue stream
Lessons from collaborations, including her botanical collection with Paloma & Co
Balancing ambition, creativity, and family life without burning out
Connect with Madison
Madison Phipps Studio: https://www.madisonphippsstudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison.phipps.studio/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madisonphippsstudio
Connect with Margo:
Website: www.windowsillchats.com
Instagram: @windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry