Windowsill Chats

This week on Windowsill Chats, Margo is joined by novelist Jane Ward, author of four books, including her latest, Should Have Told You Sooner. With a lifelong love of storytelling, cooking, baking, and art, Jane has built a creative life rooted in curiosity, observation, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. Jane began writing her first novel, Hunger, nearly thirty years ago while living in Iceland with her Navy husband, finding space for storytelling during the long, dark winters. Since then, she's continued exploring the complexities of human relationships through fiction, often weaving together themes of family secrets, forgiveness, regret, and the things we leave unsaid. Her latest novel was inspired by something as simple as a lawn sign spotted during an early morning dog walk. Margo and Jane discuss: The meaning behind the question on Jane's website, "What's done is done. Or is it?" and why the past has a way of resurfacing Writing about family secrets, forgiveness, and the complicated relationships that make us human How Jane develops fictional characters who begin to feel like real people Finding inspiration in unexpected places, including the lawn sign that sparked her latest novel The creative freedom found in bread baking, photography, travel, and other everyday pursuits Her upcoming sequel and its exploration of motherhood in all its complicated forms The importance of making space for creativity outside of your primary artistic practice Jane's plans for a Gothic novel set in Switzerland, inspired by her childhood love of Daphne du Maurier Connect with Jane Ward: Website: janeaward.com Instagram: @authorjaneward Threads: @authorjaneward Facebook: @janealessandriniward

This week, we're revisiting a favorite conversation from the Windowsill Chats archives with artist and surface designer Abby Jacobs. As far back as she can remember, making art has been Abby's favorite thing to do—and some of the happiest times in her life have been when she's had a consistent creative routine. Her belief in art-making as a way of life led her to pursue a master's degree in transpersonal counseling and art therapy from Naropa University in Boulder after studying art and psychology/human services as an undergraduate. Whenever something doesn't feel quite right in her life, Abby asks herself, "Am I making artwork daily?" If the answer is no, she usually knows where to start. Margo and Abby discuss: Why pattern clashing isn't necessarily a bad thing Abby's art therapy background and how it influences her creative practice The importance of working with clients who feel aligned Having a creative outlet beyond paid work Navigating client expectations and people-pleasing Creating work that feels authentic to you What Abby learned from completing a 100-day project And much more! Connect with Abby: www.abbyjacdesigns.com Instagram: @abbyjacdesigns

Margo is joined by Melissa Moore and Michele Matrisciani, co-authors of Killer in the Family: The Hidden Costs of Loving Someone the World Hates. Melissa grew up in Spokane, Washington, and was sixteen when she learned that her father, Keith Jesperson, had been arrested for murder. He was later convicted as the Happy Face Killer. Melissa went on to become a New York Times bestselling author with her memoir Shattered Silence, a domestic abuse prevention advocate, and an Emmy-nominated investigative correspondent for Crime Watch Daily. She hosts the true crime podcast Life After Happy Face and is the real-life inspiration behind the Paramount+ drama series Happy Face, starring Annaleigh Ashford. Michele is a New York Times bestselling coauthor, a Pushcart Prize nominee, and an editor with more than twenty years in publishing, with an MFA from Stony Brook University. She spent fifteen years as an acquisitions and developmental editor at houses including Macmillan, Hyperion, and McGraw-Hill Trade before founding Bookchic LLC, and her collaborations span Hachette, Penguin, Hay House, and HarperCollins, most recently including Gypsy-Rose Blanchard's memoir My Time to Stand. She has collaborated with Melissa across four books. For Killer in the Family, Melissa and Michele spent six years with nine families who share something nobody chooses: someone they loved was responsible for something horrific. The book moves the focus away from the crimes themselves and onto the parents, children, siblings, and spouses left to carry the aftermath. Margo, Melissa, and Michele discuss: What it was like for Melissa's story to become public, and the years of shame that came before that Why so many people reached out to Melissa afterward with the same message: I'm just like you How they chose which families and relationships belonged in the book How Michele earned enough trust with nine families to get material this personal What Michele could see as an outsider that Melissa, so close to her own story, couldn't always see herself How they handled it when two people's memories of the same moment didn't line up The responsibility of sending a finished chapter back to the person who lived it How families hold love and horror about the same person at the same time The role media coverage plays in a family's grief and isolation Knowing when it's time to stop telling your story Killer in the Family is available now in print, ebook, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Connect with Melissa and Michele: https://michelem.net/ melissa.g.moore on TikTok Melissa G. Moore (@melissag.moore)

Margo is joined by Louie, better known as Louie's Loops, a self-taught crochet artist, designer, game creator, and founder of Club Crochet. For nearly 20 years, Louie has been turning his love of crochet into an ever-expanding creative world of amigurumi, tutorials, games, characters, and stories—all rooted in curiosity, play, and community. Margo and Louie discuss: Following curiosity and asking "what if?" as a creative practice. Turning a self-taught crochet hobby into a career and creative business. Challenging the idea of crochet as simply a "craft" rather than an art form. Using play and experimentation to stay inspired and avoid burnout. Building community through tutorials, storytelling, and shared creativity. Expanding ideas beyond one medium into games, characters, animation, and more. Creativity and handmade art in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. Bringing 20 years of ideas together through Crochet Goomis and Battle Goomis. Connect with Louie: www.TheGoomis.com www.ClubCrochet.com www.instagram.com/LouiesLoops

Margo sits down with Daniel Boettcher, founder of The Intrepid Wendell, to explore the intersection of storytelling, craftsmanship, and legacy—and how the most meaningful creative paths are rarely the most straightforward ones. Daniel's journey has taken him through music, law, aspirations of diplomacy, and ultimately, bespoke jewelry design. After a life-changing experience shifted the trajectory of his career, he found his way toward work that allowed him to combine creativity with something he has always been drawn to: people and their stories. Margo and Daniel discuss: Daniel's unexpected journey from music and law to diplomacy aspirations and, ultimately, bespoke jewelry design. How a life-changing experience redirected his career. Why deep listening and personal connection are at the heart of Daniel's design process. The stories behind a few deeply personal pieces. The idea of an "instant heirloom" and how jewelry can carry family history, memory, love, and meaning across generations. Daniel's move from Washington, D.C. to Puerto Rico and how the community and culture of Old San Juan have influenced his creativity. What happens when a client feels truly seen and understood by the person creating for them. The charming story behind The Intrepid Wendell Connect with Daniel: www.theintrepidwendell.com www.instagram.com/theintrepidwendell

Margo is joined by Kim Robinson, founder of 3pts and a longtime contributor to and advocate for creative communities. With more than 15 years of experience at cultural platforms including The FADER, Complex, Red Bull, and the American Museum of Natural History, Kim has worked alongside artists like Solange, Kendrick Lamar, Spike Lee, Erykah Badu, and Tyler, the Creator. Raised within underground punk, hip-hop, electronic music, and art scenes, Kim eventually founded 3pts to put his experience directly in service of makers and creative entrepreneurs, helping them build sustainable careers on their own terms. Kim and Margo explore what working behind the scenes in music and culture taught him about what artists actually need, why he continues to approach his work as a fan first, and the role community plays in building a sustainable creative life. Margo and Kim discuss: How growing up in DIY punk, hip-hop, electronic music, and art scenes shaped Kim's approach to creativity and community What working with major artists and cultural platforms taught him about the realities of building a creative career Why Kim leads with a "fan first" mentality and how genuine curiosity has guided his career Why community is the invisible infrastructure behind so many successful creative careers Moving beyond the myth of the self-made artist and recognizing the people, resources, and relationships that help us grow Defining success on your own terms rather than following someone else's blueprint for a creative business The value of practical support—from sharing opportunities and resources to having someone a few steps ahead show you what's possible Connect with Kim: Website: www.3pts.co Instagram: www.instagram.com/3ptsco Substack: 3pts.substack.com A monthly newsletter dedicated to sharing opportunities for makers such as grants, residencies, open calls, markets and more. https://us7.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=eb522373216e8266b4805a156&id=45f83f7c19 Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by Amy Wilderson, Brenda Olson, and Katy St. John—three artists whose distinct creative practices come together in Objects Through Time: Connection, Story, and Legacy, an exhibition exploring memory, heritage, and the unexpected stories hidden within everyday objects. Amy is a multi-media visual artist whose metalsmithing and wirework transform forgotten treasures into meaningful jewelry and sculpture. Brenda is an illustrator, mixed media artist, and founder of Blueberry Road Cards, whose work celebrates storytelling, community, and creative connection. Katy is a Minneapolis-based photographer whose imaginative images blend artistry and narrative to capture what lies beneath the surface. Together, the three discuss how collaboration across disciplines has challenged, inspired, and transformed each of their creative practices. They share how family heirlooms, found objects, and personal histories became the foundation for this exhibition, why vulnerability is essential to meaningful collaboration, and how art can preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten. Margo and Amy, Brenda, and Katy discuss: How three artists from different creative backgrounds came together to build a shared exhibition. Why ordinary objects often hold extraordinary stories of family, identity, and legacy. The role of trust, vulnerability, and honest conversation in successful creative collaboration. How working across different artistic mediums expanded each artist's perspective. The balance between honoring the past while creating something entirely new. Why taking small creative risks often leads to the biggest breakthroughs. How they hope visitors will reflect on their own treasured objects and personal histories. The power of art to spark conversation, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the stories we all carry. Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill Connect with Katy, Brenda, and Amy: www.amyajewelry.com www.instagram.com/amyajewelry www.brendaolsonart.com www.instagram.com/brendaolsonart www.saintphoto.org www.instagram.com/_saintphoto

Margo is joined by Lisa Bardot, an illustrator, author, and Procreate educator who has spent the past decade helping people discover the joy of drawing digitally. She's the founder of Art Maker's Club, a thriving online membership for Procreate artists, creator of the Making Art Everyday drawing challenge, and the artist behind Bardot Brush, known for its popular Procreate brushes and tutorials. Lisa is making her second appearance on Windowsill Chats, and this time she's digging into what she's learned after years of building online creative communities — and why consistency and connection matter more than raw talent. Margo and Lisa discuss: What Lisa has learned after years of running Making Art Everyday and Art Maker's Club, two of the most active creative communities in the Procreate space Why people join Art Maker's Club thinking they're there to learn Procreate — and why they actually stay for the consistency, encouragement, and friendships Why so many adults stop making art as they get older, and what it takes to reconnect with that creative side of themselves How small, sustainable creative habits can have a bigger impact than sporadic bursts of inspiration Why curiosity is often more valuable than talent when it comes to building a lasting creative practice Reflections on Founder's Month and four years of Art Maker's Club — what's changed, what's stayed the same, and what Lisa's most proud of Practical encouragement for anyone who's been wanting to try Procreate but doesn't know where to start A look at what's coming up during Art Maker's Club's Founder's Month celebration, including live tutorials, community events, and creative challenges Connect with Lisa Bardot: Art Maker's Club: https://artmakersclub.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisabardot Procreate Brushes: https://bardotbrush.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@BardotBrush Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by comedy writer, creator, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of The Onion, Scott Dikkers. Scott served as editor-in-chief and co-owner during its first two decades, helping shape one of the most influential satire publications of all time. In this episode, Margo sits down with Scott to explore the surprising mechanics behind creativity and why inspiration isn't something you wait for—it's something you build. Drawing from decades of experience creating successful entertainment, Scott shares practical insights on developing creative habits, embracing constraints, overcoming self-doubt, and creating work that connects with people. Margo and Scott discuss: Why creativity is less about talent and more about building repeatable systems and habits. How constraints, deadlines, and structure often produce stronger creative work than unlimited freedom. The importance of creating lots of ideas instead of waiting for the perfect one to appear. How humor can become a powerful tool for resilience, connection, and making sense of difficult experiences. Practical strategies for quieting your inner critic and separating the creative process from the editing process. Why sharing your work, seeking honest feedback, and surrounding yourself with a creative community are essential ingredients for long-term growth. His new book, Creativity Machine Connect with Scott: https://www.instagram.com/itsscottdikkers/ https://scottdikkers.substack.com/ Creativity Machine: How to Innovate, Brainstorm, and Hatch Great Ideas on Command Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by designer and storyteller Ariadne Kritonos, whose work brings centuries-old Greek folk motifs into contemporary life. Drawing inspiration from historic embroideries, textiles, and museum archives, Ariadne shares how studying the creative traditions of the past has shaped her approach to design, color, and inspiration today. Together, they explore the hidden stories embedded in traditional folk art, the value of looking beyond digital culture for creative inspiration, and what we can learn from the women whose stitches carried meaning across generations. Margo and Ariadne discuss: How Greek folk embroidery became the bridge between Ariadne's love of art, design, and cultural heritage The hidden symbolism and storytelling woven into traditional textile motifs Why researching archives, museums, and historic objects offers a different kind of inspiration than online algorithms The remarkable women behind these textiles and what their work reveals about creativity, community, and everyday life What traditional embroidery can teach us about imperfection, resourcefulness, and finishing our work The bold use of color in historic Greek textiles and why modern creatives should be less afraid to experiment How Ariadne is reimagining centuries-old motifs through contemporary design and wearable art Why preserving cultural traditions isn't about nostalgia, but about creating meaningful connections between past and present Connect with Ariadne: Website: https://ariadnekritonos.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariadnekritonos/ Newsletter: https://ariadnekritonos.com/newsletter-sign-up Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by Lauren Henkin, founder of The Humane Space, a mindfulness and lifelong learning app designed to boost wellbeing and reduce stress by sparking curiosity, wonder, and awe. In this conversation, Lauren shares her journey from architecture and fine art photography to tech founder, and how following her own curiosity led her to create a platform built on the belief that wonder, awe, and lifelong learning are just as essential to our wellbeing as physical health. Together, they explore the role curiosity plays in creativity, personal growth, and human connection. They discuss how our environments shape the way we think, why many modern systems discourage curious thinking, and what we lose when we outsource our voices and ideas to technology. Lauren also shares the values that guide The Humane Space, including intellectual integrity, collaborative creativity, and a commitment to creating content made by humans, for humans. Margo and Lauren discuss: Lauren's unconventional path from architecture and photography to founding The Humane Space Why curiosity is a lifelong practice that supports wellbeing, creativity, and resilience How physical and digital spaces can be designed to inspire wonder and exploration The mission behind The Humane Space and its alternative approach to social media and technology The role of intellectual integrity, collaboration, and human-made creativity in an AI-driven world Practical ways to cultivate more awe, wonder, and curiosity in everyday life Connect with Lauren The Humane Space App: https://www.thehumane.space/ Lauren Henkin: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhenkin/ Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by interior designer, mentor, and entrepreneur Rebecca Ward for a conversation about creativity, career pivots, and the impact our homes have on daily life. As the CEO and Principal Designer of Rebecca Ward Design, Rebecca has spent more than 20 years creating contemporary spaces that help families live beautifully and function intentionally. She shares how her love for interiors started in childhood and eventually evolved into a thriving design career and mentorship platform. Margo and Rebecca explore the many paths into interior design, including second-career transitions and turning creative passions into sustainable businesses. They also discuss the psychology behind our environments, the realities of running a design business, and why mentorship and boundaries matter so much for creatives. It's an honest and inspiring conversation about building a creative career that supports both artistry and real life. Margo and Rebecca discuss: Rebecca's early creative influences and path into interior design Why interior design is often a second or third career for creatives The emotional and psychological impact of our homes How thoughtful design improves everyday life and wellbeing The realities of running a successful interior design business Setting boundaries and managing client expectations The value of mentorship for aspiring designers Encouragement for creatives considering a career pivot or side hustle Connect with Rebecca: Website: Rebecca Ward Design Mentorship & Bootcamp: My Design Mentor Instagram: @rwarddesign Podcast: Design Curious Podcast 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 Nicki Traikos for a conversation on creativity, perfectionism, and building a life rooted in art. Known for her approachable watercolor teaching style and the global community she's built through life i design, Nicki shares the winding journey that took her from a corporate career and makeup artistry into the world of watercolor, online education, and publishing. Margo and Nicki explore the realities of creative growth—the messy middle, the pivots, the comparison traps, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for your art. Nicki opens up about balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, the pressure artists face in the age of social media, and why embracing imperfection is often where the real breakthroughs happen. They also discuss her newest book, Watercolor Made Simple Workbook, and how approachable creativity can transform not only artistic confidence, but overall wellbeing. Margo and Nicki discuss: Nicki's unexpected path from corporate work and makeup artistry to becoming a full-time artist and educator The importance of embracing a "twisty, turny" creative journey instead of chasing overnight success How comparison and curated social media can hold artists back from starting Why messy sketchbooks and imperfect practice are essential to creative growth Letting go of perfectionism and learning to enjoy the tactile experience of making art The evolution from artist to teacher and building an online creative community during COVID The pressure to "find your style" and why multi-passionate creativity deserves space Practical ways to restart a creative practice and make art feel approachable again Connect with Nicki: Website: https://www.lifeidesign.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeidesign Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeidesign Substack: https://lifeidesign.substack.com Connect with Margo: https://www.windowsillchats.com https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry