This week, Jay takes the mic solo for a special on-the-ground episode recorded live at MegaConLive Birmingham! 🎙️Join us for a whirlwind tour of the Artist Alley as Jay chats with five incredible creators about their art, con experiences, and what it’s like to hustle behind the table. Expect laughs, insights, and a few surprises from the heart of the UK’s convention scene.🎨 Featured Artists: •  @ChaoIllustrations  : Monster girl expert and Twitch partner bringing vibrant, kawaii chaos to every canvas.   •  @sophiralou  : Digital artist with a flair for 2D/3D animation and D&D-inspired creations.   •  @SaiyanHajime  : Convention artist known for iconic Sonic music pins and dynamic designs.   • @ChocolateRasinFury : Blending Art Nouveau and galaxy themes into stunning pieces.   • @HilmansHandmade : Crafting unique handmade items that add a personal touch to the con experience. Whether you’re a seasoned con-goer or curious about the artist alley hustle, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the passion and creativity that fuel the convention circuit.

PB & Jay are back in session as judge, jury, and moral compass in this chaotic episode of Artist Alley AITA! We’re diving into the internet’s messiest convention stories from awkward customers to friendship-ending booth drama, and giving our very honest takes.

This week’s gallery of drama includes:
🧍 A dad who gaslighted his daughter out of buying a t-shirt she loved (cue rage)
🪙 A table partner who might be ditching their friend for solo glory
🤝 A “helper” demanding 20% profit after the event’s already over
🧸 A plush thief (and their parent) who didn't expect to be asked to pay for it

And don’t miss PB & Jay’s own convention horror stories, including parental sabotage, Kinkachu controversy, and the curse of the designated fun-stopper friend. It’s spicy, hilarious, and occasionally cathartic. Just how we like it!

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We’re getting serious this week—because sometimes, global politics really do mess with your art hustle. In this episode, PB & Jay dive into the real-life impacts of Brexit, EU trading laws, and international tariffs on small creative businesses.

We unpack:
📦 The IOSS (Import One Stop Shop) – what it means, who needs it, and how Etsy might already be handling it for you
⚠️ The GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) – what it requires, why it’s extra painful for indie artists, and the nightmare of needing an EU-based “responsible person”
📉 Why so many artists have stopped shipping to the EU entirely
💸 US tariffs on imports from China and the UK, how they’re killing small businesses, and how Squishy Kitty was directly affected
🧾 What the “de minimis” value means for shipping to the US (and whether it’s going away)
💬 The difference between being informed and being overwhelmed—and how to survive without panicking

Plus: PB shares why they’ve stepped back from online sales altogether, Jay nerds out about VAT law, and Coop the Courier Pigeon is ready for your questions—just not your customs forms.

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With PB away this week, Jay is joined by the hilarious and fabulous @realise_cosplay for a special guest-hosted episode where things get a little wild. Together, they dive headfirst into some of the most unhinged, dramatic, and outrageous Reddit stories about cosplay and trust us, it’s a rollercoaster.

We get into:
🎭 Washing cosplay at 50°C? The horror!
🚪 Dad interruptions, dresses held hostage, and Reddit’s worst takes
🎀 The tale of a wedding dress turned Labyrinth ballgown cosplay
🚩 And a particularly spicy discussion on cosplay, scars, and consent—this one gets deep

Between chaotic anecdotes, emotional moments, and red flag spotting galore, this episode is packed with laughter, strong opinions, and a surprising amount of shouting “HE’S NOT THE ASSHOLE!”

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This edit of our 3 hour live episode record is bursting with real-time energy as we recap our wild weekend at MegaCon Live Birmingham 2025 and our trip straight after to Bentley Jones’ Absolution gig. From setting up our table to dealing with last-minute drama, it’s a full rundown of the highs, lows, and chaotic in-betweens of one of the UK’s biggest fan events....

We cover:
🎤 Absolution – the pop concert meets drag show, with some unforgettable (and not always for the right reasons) moments
🛍️ MegaConLive madness – what sold, what didn’t, and why the crowds felt different this year
🧭 Con layout chaos – how poor signage led to confusion for everyone involved
💥 Handling stress at big events – and what we’re doing differently next time
📦 Packing up pains & unexpected giggles – from lost bags to legendary trader banter

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This week, Jay is joined by none other than Striblob, Cosplayer, content creator, and the ultimate Jim Carrey Eggman enthusiast, for an important and insightful chat about accessibility at conventions. From the challenges disabled attendees face to how events can do better, we dive into what needs to change to make conventions more inclusive for everyone.We also cover:🎭 Breaking into the Sonic fandom – why the movies were the gateway for Striblob📸 The evolution of confidence through cosplay – from stage fright to full-on Eggman chaos🎮 Balancing cosplay & content creation – the reality behind making viral TikToksAnd yes, there’s plenty of Sonic shenanigans, including Agent Stone bonding and even a twerking Amy Rose. You won’t want to miss this one!💙 Find Striblob!🔵 Socials & Content:  striblob.cos  💙 Find Us and Support the Podcast!🔵 Visit https://theconcreatives.com for all our socials and more!⭐ Love what you’re hearing? Leave us a 5-star review to help keep the podcast growing!

MegaCon Birmingham is almost here, and PB & Jay are in full-on convention prep mode! In this episode, we break down everything that’s happening behind the scenes... from booth layouts and merch experiments to last-minute hotel booking regrets (oops).We cover:🛍️ Booth setup evolution – how we’re displaying t-shirts differently this time🦔 Hedgehog statues on the move – from MegaCon to Bentley Jones’ gig!🎨 New merch drops! From Werehog to Metal Sonic, what’s making its debut?🚧 Convention logistics – how we secured a last-minute 9x3 booth with Printing Like Rabbits🎤  @BentleyJones  Absolution gig – how it ties into the Sonic community & why we’re running straight from MegaCon to a live concertPlus, PB reflects on past MegaCon Birmingham experiences—will this year finally be the big breakthrough? And Jay gears up to cover the event like never before, reuniting with artists, traders, and con-goers for some wild content.💙 Find Us and Support the Podcast!🔵 Visit theconcreatives.com for all our socials and more!⭐ Love what you’re hearing? Leave us a 5-star review to help keep the podcast growing!

PB took a nine-hour road trip to Glasgow for Power & Gaming Comic Con... but was it worth the journey? In this episode, we break down everything from the convention rebrand drama(?!) to the trader experience, sales, and unexpected encounters!We dive into:🛍️ How PowerCon compared to previous events – was it truly a "new" convention?📦 Artist & trader experiences – booth layouts, sales trends & whether vendors actually made money🤬 Handling unruly con-goers – including kids attacking Sonic & Shadow statues with swords!🔥 Meeting the team behind Inferno Fest – the first Hazbin Hotel / Helluva Boss convention in the UK!From walkthrough filming adventures to figuring out what actually sells at conventions (hint: Metal Sonic wins again), this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a few rants about bad parenting.💙 Thank you to @Printinglikerabbits  @FoxLeapStudios   @ObscureBeautyArt  @glazghouls 💙 Find Us and Support the Podcast!🔵 Visit theconcreatives.com for all our socials and more!

We’ve hit double digits! Episode 10 is here, and PB is back after his whirlwind travels! In this jam-packed episode, we catch up on everything we’ve missed, including:

🎤 Jay’s solo adventure at AniMangaPop – what went down, how it compared to MegaCon, and why Beyblades left a lasting impression.
📦 The reality of Creator Passes – are influencers actually pulling their weight when given free entry to cons?
🎨 Upcoming conventions – PB preps for PowerCon, bringing Sonic & Shadow statues, Hasbin Hotel merch, and all-new designs to Glasgow.
💰 Our Kickstarter is DONE! We break down the results, what happens next, and how the numbers really work behind the scenes.

Oh, and there’s an upside-down Miku, a random dog dick on camera, and PB trying to discreetly pack mid-podcast. Just another day at Convention Creatives!

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This week, Jay sits down with the one and only  @squishikitti  (aka Nandi) for an unfiltered, hilarious, and insightful chat about turning creativity into a full-time business. From going viral on TikTok and Facebook to navigating the world of parasocial relationships and online communities, Nandi shares her journey from art kid to thriving brand owner.We dive into:🛍️ The rapid rise of the Squishi Kitti brand🎥 How a sassy packing video turned into a audience hit💡 The reality of building an online community (the good, the bad and everything in between)📦 Selling at conventions vs. online: what really works?🤯 Balancing neurodivergence, creativity, and the constant hustle of a creative business.And, of course, we talk about the most important topic of all: why Babybel and Pepperami are the ultimate convention survival snacks.💙 Find Squishy Kitty!🔵 Shop & Socials: https://www.squishikitti.com | https://www.instagram.com/squishi_kitti/💙 Find Us and Support the Podcast!🔵 Visit https://theconcreatives.com for all our socials and more!⭐ Love what you’re hearing? Leave us a 5-star review to help keep the podcast growing!