This week, the mic flips as PB interviews Jay for a deep dive into his lifelong love of Sonic the Hedgehog and how that fandom has shaped his creative journey. From early fan obsessions to hosting panels and podcasts, Jay shares the story of how a blue blur inspired an entire career of content creation, community building, and chaotic good energy.We cover:
🦔 Jay’s origin story as a Sonic fan and how it all spiralled from there
📺 The Sonic Show, launching the YouTube channel, animations, and skits that got serious traction
🎙️ The Opinion Zone podcast, talking hot takes, fan debates, and making space for community voices
📸 Sonic Cage Dome, blending lore, jokes, and deeply unserious drama into fan tournaments
🎟️ Summer of Sonic, streaming and making visuals for one of the UK’s biggest Sonic fan events.
🎮 How the Sonic fandom blends passion, chaos, and creativity like no other
Plus:
📦 Behind-the-scenes moments, including Jay’s video show origin story.
💡 Why fandoms like Sonic's are launchpads for artistic growth, event organisation, and community careers
🌟 How nostalgia and storytelling keep fans coming back and keep creators inspiredWhether you’re a casual Sonic enjoyer or a Chaos Emerald hoarder, this episode celebrates the magic of fan-driven creativity and how shared passions can turn into life-changing projects.
We’re live again at AnimeCon UK, and this time it’s all about the power of anime, how it’s influenced art styles, careers, and the very culture of Artist Alley itself. In this deeply personal and insightful episode, PB and Jay sit down in front of a live audience to talk about the role anime has played in shaping their creativity and connection to the convention world.
We discuss:
🎨 PB’s anime origin story - From watching The Rose of Versailles and Saint Seiya to secretly drawing anime in fine art class in Malta
📺 Generational gaps in anime culture - How the art and audience have evolved from the 70s to today
🖼️ Why anime wasn’t “real art” to some teachers and how PB proved them wrong
👁️ The beauty of older animation - Layered eyes, hand-drawn cells, and detail we don’t always see today
📦 How anime aesthetics influence Artist Alley setups - pastel grids, ramen-booth vibes, and starting points for artists
🧠 Jay’s baby steps into anime fandom - guided by PB’s personal recs and con experiences
🔥 Top anime recommendations - including Fullmetal Alchemist, Madoka Magica, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Monster, and more
Plus:
🌸 Why anime focused conventions like AnimeCon foster a stronger sense of artist community
🎤 Live audience Q&A momentsIt’s a celebration of anime’s artistic legacy—and a heartfelt reflection on what it means to make art that’s true to your roots.
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Recorded live at @AnimeConUK 2025, this special milestone episode celebrates how far we’ve come from chaotic beginnings to our biggest stage yet. PB & Jay take you behind the scenes of how The Convention Creatives Podcast started, what it’s become, and where it’s headed next.We cover:🎙️ How it all began – spontaneous episodes, web asset madness, and the encouragement that kicked it all off at MegaCon London🚀 Building our brand – working with awesome partners like Decal Empire UK, ShirtDisplaysUK, and even dipping our toes into influencer collabs🎨 A podcast for artists, by artists – why our audience of fellow creatives means everything to us🎁 The future is now – the official launch of our Patreon, featuring:• Exclusive content, behind-the-scenes blogs, merch, and goodie boxes• New mascots: Little Red, Opus, and Huskii• A redesigned PB to match the bear behind the micAnd finally…🌟 Our collective dream – to use this platform to support and uplift indie artists, creating space for collaboration, visibility, and community across the UK and beyond.Whether you were in the live audience with us or listening from home, thank you for helping us make it to Episode 25. Here’s to what comes next.💙 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🎁 Join our new Patreon and become part of the creative chaos pattern.com/theconcreatives
We’re heading to AnimeCon UK and this time, we’re going big! In this high-energy prep episode, PB & Jay go full tilt into planning for one of their biggest events yet. With six creators, a mega booth of guest artists, and plans to film podcast content live from the show floor, this is more than just a con… it’s a convention creatives cinematic universe crossover event.We break down:🎪 Our booth layout (T-shirt rails and badge button boxes!)📸 Our recording plans and hopes for making magic across the weekend🎨 Having Printing Like Rabbits, Pick A Plushie, Glazghouls and Rakku Events all under one con roof!🛍️ How we’re tailoring stock for a younger anime crowd📦 Logistics, lodging, van rentals, hotel rooms, insurance, and more🎤 Our recent guest appearance on AnimeCon HQ’s podcast (go listen!)Also in this episode:🎭 Our dream cosplay picks (and who we'd force each other to cosplay as)🎮 A new Choose It or Lose It where Jay has to pick between the future of @SonictheHedgehog or a perfect night at @DeathBecomesHerBway (It gets emotional for Jay)Mentioned in todays episode: @rakuevents @glazghouls @pickaplushie @printinglikerabbits @AnimeConUK 💙 Find Us and Support the Podcast!🔵 Visit theconcreatives.com for all our socials, Patreon and more!⭐ Love what you’re hearing? Leave us a 5-star review to help keep the podcast growing!
More wild stories of convention traders and goers!
PB & Jay are gearing up for their very first UK Games Expo, and it's a whole new world of tabletop gaming, D&D dice, and... absolutely no clue what they’re walking into. Recorded during a chaotic prep week, this episode dives into the back-to-back convention burnout, fresh product strategies, and the terrifying logistics of building an entire booth from scratch.We talk about:🎲 Adapting to a different crowd – how tabletop gamers differ from anime con-goers🧵 Designing new D&D-inspired merch – from owlbears to mind flayers📦 Restocking nightmares – PB’s frantic t-shirt reprint saga between MCM & UKGE🧱 Building a booth from floor space only – no walls, no tables, no mercy🏠 Renting a house with Printing Like Rabbits – and the promise of a post-con D&D one-shot🐔 PB’s D&D character reveal – The 8-foot bear and his resurrecting chicken, Henny🧙♂️ Jay’s first-ever D&D game – could this be the start of a new hyperfixation?Plus: the duo reflect on what makes UK Games Expo unique, why display strategy has to change, and how Cubby’s new wizard-themed business card might just steal the show.💙 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!
It’s MCM London prep week and PB & Jay Bear are stressed, exhausted, and completely covered in spray paint but also super hyped for the biggest con of the year. In this milestone 20th episode, we take you behind the scenes of everything we’ve been planning, building, fixing, and (let’s be honest) panicking over.We unpack:🎨 30+ t-shirt designs (including brand new Sonic, D&D & FNAF drops)📦 Pins are here! Including the (maybe) iconic “Mouthless Silver”🧱 Upgraded displays with 3D printed badge holders, custom shelving, and the return of Shirt Hero🤝 New sponsorships with Decal Empire🛍️ Convention-exclusive mystery items, sweatshirts & print deals🔁 Our first Sonic Stamp Rally featuring Team Rose (with a very cute Big the Cat)💬 Listener mailbag with our top survival tips for MCM📺 Hyperfixation corner featuring Chainsaw Man, & the joys of multitask bingingPlus, PB confesses the time and money invested on this con, Jay shares plans for behind-the-scenes stories and coverage, and we prepare for our first-ever full podcast presence at MCM London. This one’s personal, chaotic, and full of con love... we promise!💙 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!
Jay is flying solo this week, but he's not alone... he’s joined by the fantastic Hannah from Hillman’s Handmade for an episode filled with creativity, real talk, and a touch of unhinged dilemmas. From theatre training to polymer clay, Hannah shares the journey of how her unique handmade business came to life and what it's like to grow that business alongside a full-time job and chronic illness.We talk about:🎭 The power of performance: how an acting degree helped Hannah find her voice as a business owner🎨 Handmade vs mass-produced: why every piece is personal, and why 100 items might only yield 80 good ones🛍️ Trends vs timelessness: why chasing hype just may not work for handmade artists😮💨 Burnout, business pivots & being transparent online: the realities of running a small business in 2025🦔 Sonic, Shadow & stress: the resin drama behind those tiny blue hedgehogsPlus: balancing life, work and creativity, why Priger became her breakout design, and how her social media transparency is reshaping what professionalism can look like in the artist community.💙 Find Hillman’s Handmade!🔵 https://hillmanshandmade.com💙 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!
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!
It's a special episode because we have our first-ever podcast interview! This week, PB & J sit down with Jake and Kay, the masterminds behind Sonic Con UK to talk about how a thought turned into a massive fan convention, the wild success of their Kickstarter, and what’s next for Raku Events.
We dive into:
🎤 The unexpected origins of SonicCon UK
🏆 The big wins and biggest challenges of running a convention
📣 How the Sonic community helped make the event a reality
📍 Moving the con from Manchester to London and how fans reacted
💰 Behind-the-scenes of crowdfunding a convention and why £15K was just the beginning!
And because it wouldn’t be a Convention Creatives episode without some surprises… we discuss unexpected furry convention feedback, and the mysterious big guest(s) yet to be announced!
💙Shoutout to Little Japanese Corner for the Digimon set!
🔵 Find their store at https://www.littlejapanesecorner.co.uk/
💙 Find Jake & Kay and SonicCon UK!
🔵 Follow SonicCon UK and see their kickstarter: https://www.sonicconuk.com
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Love is supposedly in the air, but we have more important things to think about, such as which Harbin Hotel characters do we ship! In this special Valentine’s episode, PB & J dive into the world of seasonal products. Are they a profitable hit or a creative headache? From holiday-themed merch that flies off the shelves to designs that gather dust the moment the season ends, we break down the pros and cons of time-sensitive art for creatives.But let’s be real… you’re here for the romance-fueled nonsense! The duo plays a variety of cheeky mini-games, including the ultimate F***, Marry, Kill—featuring pop culture icons handpicked by the audience! Heated debates, unexpected choices, and at least one deeply regrettable answer are on their way.And that’s not all! Our mailbag segment introduces a brand-new addition to the Cubiverse! Who (or what) has joined PB’s ever-growing collection? Tune in to find out!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!