Two Cranky Creatives (Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico)

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle a topic that’s sure to resonate with every artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur: clients who think your work is overpriced. It’s frustrating, it’s aggravating, and it’s a reality that every creative professional faces.

Carrie and Toni dive into the common mindset of clients who believe they could “do it themselves” or undervalue the expertise and effort that goes into professional creative work. They share stories of their own experiences, explore why this misconception exists, and offer insights on navigating these uncomfortable conversations while standing firm in your worth.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of someone questioning your rates or struggled with educating clients about the value of what you do, this episode will leave you feeling seen, heard, and ready to defend your prices with confidence (and maybe a little crankiness).

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• ·      Why some clients undervalue creative work—and why they’re wrong.
• ·      The emotional labor of educating clients about your expertise.
• ·      How frustrating it is to be treated like you’re greedy when asking for the budget.
• ·      Strategies for standing firm in your worth as a creative. 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Carrie and Toni offer a candid look at this all-too-common struggle—and some advice to help you navigate it with grit, grace, and humor.

References Mentioned

Canva

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook

Edward Tufte

Rapper Vocabulary Infographic (Matthew Daniels)*

SCORE

* incorrectly attributed to Edward Tufte in show 

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

Join Two Cranky Creatives, hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico. We are two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode, Carrie and Toni are joined by Stacie Dale of Surface Design News to dive deep into the world of surface design classes. They explore how these courses can create sky-high expectations, leaving emerging artists overwhelmed, defeated, and downright cranky. If you’ve ever taken a class that promised you the moon only to deliver a handful of unrealistic goals, you’re not alone.

Carrie, Stacie, and Toni share real-life insights into why a surface design career isn’t a one-size-fits-all path and why success stories often skip over the gritty reality. They break down the toll of chasing a dream career without a roadmap that reflects real industry challenges.

Expect candid conversation on:

• How certain classes promise a “formula” to creative success that doesn’t actually exist.
• The importance of a grounded approach in finding your own creative path.
• The highs, lows, and often-ignored in-betweens of making a sustainable living in surface design.

If you’re a creative who’s ever felt discouraged or misled by industry advice, this episode will give you the clarity you need to cut through the noise.

References Mentioned

Surface Design News
Surface Design Industry Survey by Shannon McNab

Stacie’s Playlist
The Kill – Maggie Rogers
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns ‘N Roses
Pink Pony Club – Chapell Roan

Stacie Dale …
Stacie Dale is an illustrator and surface designer with a focus on birds and botanicals. She grew up in Audubon, Pennsylvania surrounded by nature preserves and the home of John James Audubon where she discovered her love of birds and horticulture.  You can view her most recent work on her illustration website or on her Instagram.  Stacie has written and illustrated her own children's book: Songbird Stories, Tales from the Pennsylvania Woods: Coming Home which is available for purchase on Amazon and on her retail website. She has also illustrated children's books for other independent authors and teaches in-person classes on colored pencil botanical illustration. In addition to her creative pursuits, Stacie is the editor of Surface Design News, a monthly subscription e-newsletter focusing on aspects of the surface design industry. Stacie can be reached at info@staciedaledesigns.com

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this debut episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico get real about why they started this podcast. If you’ve ever listened to creative industry podcasts and felt like everything was a bit too sugarcoated, you’re not alone.

Carrie and Toni are frustrated by the abundance of "polite" conversations about pursuing a creative career. So, they created Two Cranky Creatives to fill that gap. In this episode, they share their personal experiences of navigating the creative world and the challenges they’ve faced—from burnout to financial struggles to the emotional toll of trying to make it in a competitive industry.

You’ll hear them discuss:

• Why they believe so many creative podcasts only tell part of the story.
• The gritty realities that other podcasts gloss over, like the mental, emotional, and financial struggles that come with building a creative career.
• What you can expect from Two Cranky Creatives—brutal honesty, real talk, and actionable advice for surviving the ups and downs of the creative life.

Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting out, this episode is for anyone who’s ever felt discouraged, overwhelmed, or just plain cranky about the creative process. Get ready to ditch the sugarcoating and dive into the raw truth.

References Mentioned

Proof to Product with Katie Hunt
Bonnie Christine
Sorry to Bother You with LaKeith Stansfield

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico explore the frustrating, confusing, and often hurtful experience of being ghosted. Whether it’s a client, collaborator, or contact who suddenly stops responding, being ghosted can feel like a betrayal. But Carrie and Toni are here to remind you—it’s not personal.

They share their perspectives on why being ghosted happens, how it can sometimes be a blessing in disguise, and ways to manage your response. If you’ve ever felt the sting of silence and struggled not to take it personally, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• Why being ghosted isn’t a reflection of you or your work.
• How ghosting can be a blessing in disguise.
• Why you should never burn bridges.

Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur or just navigating the art world, Carrie and Toni offer insight and encouragement to help you handle ghosting with grace—and a little cranky humor.

References Mentioned

Streak

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dig into the risks of relying on third-party platforms to showcase and sell your art. From sudden algorithm changes to entire platforms shutting down, creatives often find themselves at the mercy of corporate decisions beyond their control. So, what can you do about it?

Carrie and Toni share practical strategies for managing these risks, making informed choices about where to share your work, and ensuring your creative business isn’t wholly dependent on any single platform. Diversification is key—because you need more than one safety net when it comes to your livelihood.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

🎯 Why using third-party platforms always comes with risk.
⚠️ How to protect yourself from sudden changes that could hurt your business.
💡 Making smart, informed choices about where you showcase your art.
💰 The importance of having multiple revenue streams.

Whether you’re selling prints, licensing your designs, or running an online shop, this episode will help you think critically about the platforms you use—and how to take control of your creative career.

P.S. Toni inadvertently named Emma Watson instead of Emma Thompson as the actress in Stranger Than Fiction

P.P.S. Here's the official explanation for how to calculate the median. Toni's explanation was flawed.

Notable Mentions

I Need by Maverick Sabre

Worlock by Skinny Puppy

Cooper Black (Font)

Larosa (Font)

Optimist Mixable Color

Shannon McNab’s Surface Industry Survey

POD Analysis Articles

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax joins hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico to tackle one of the most dreaded topics for creatives: taxes. Taxes can be a minefield, especially for artists and entrepreneurs who aren’t exactly thrilled by accounting. Hannah breaks down the essentials, sharing real experiences and guidance to help fellow artists approach their taxes without a meltdown.

From dealing with self-employment taxes to figuring out quarterly taxes, they cover the pitfalls every creative needs to know. If you’re overwhelmed by tax talk or confused about how to keep your finances in order, this episode brings clarity, laughter, and maybe even a little relief.

You’ll hear them discuss:

• The basics of self-employment taxes for creatives.
• Common mistakes artists make when it comes to deductions.
• Practical steps to keep your finances organized throughout the year.
• How to approach tax season with a little less dread (and maybe even a laugh).

Taxes might not be glamorous, but they’re essential for anyone making a living in the creative field. So, if you’re a creative struggling with tax chaos, grab a coffee (or a stiff drink) and tune in!

This podcast episode is brought to you by Money Bootcamp, a program made just for artists that will help you feel a little less cranky about taxes and finances. Join, and you'll have lifetime access to the course resources.

Use code CRANKY - that's all caps - to get a $100 discount.

>> YOU CAN FIND MONEY BOOTCAMP HERE <<

Disclaimer: We are affiliates of Money Bootcamp, so we will earn a reward if you use our promo code, but we only promote programs (and people) we believe in :)

References Mentioned

Sunlight Tax
Schedule C
Xero
Sunlight Tax Podcast Episode on TurboTax – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Voluntary Income Tax Assistance

Free Resources

Artist and tax pro, Hannah Cole (of Sunlight Tax), is hosting a free class, Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $130k in Your Savings. It’s one hour and designed to help you understand why you keep getting stuck in a cycle of pain surrounding taxes and the simple systems you need to get out of it. It’s on 9/25 at noon Eastern. It’s free, but you need to register: https://go.sunlighttax.com/free 

Hannah Cole …
Hannah Cole is an artist, tax expert and the founder of Sunlight Tax. She specializes in educating entrepreneurs and creative professionals in taxes and financial empowerment. A long-time working artist with a high-level exhibition history, Hannah is a frequent speaker on stages and podcasts, a money columnist for the art blog Hyperallergic, and the host of a global top 3% podcast, the Sunlight podcast. Her company, Sunlight Tax, specializes in friendly, informative tax education for self-employed people with a big vision, and engaging, savvy tax education workshops for creative groups.

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dive into a topic that makes every artist’s blood boil: stolen artwork. From discovering your designs on unauthorized products to navigating the complicated world of copyright, they share personal stories, practical advice, and some much-needed venting.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of seeing your hard work taken without permission—or if you’re worried about how to protect your art—this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the frustrating, cranky side of being a creative entrepreneur.

 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• Practical steps to protect your work from unauthorized use.
• Navigating gender norms in these dicey situations as a woman.
• The emotional toll of dealing with stolen art and how to manage it.
• Real talk about what you can do to safeguard your designs.

Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting, Carrie and Toni offer a mix of candid advice and encouragement to help you feel empowered—even when someone’s trying to steal your shine.

DISCLAIMER: Carrie and Toni are not lawyers. Any statements about copyright law are their personal understanding of US copyright law.

 References Mentioned

Shepherd Ferry Obama Poster

US Copyright Office

Kindle Direct Publishing

Carrie’s Cat Butt Illustration

US Copyright Office Report on AI

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico take on a popular piece of advice that might be doing more harm than good: the idea that you must draw every day to be successful. As two seasoned creatives who’ve found success in their own way, Carrie and Toni break down why this “rule” is more of a myth and how it often pressures artists into unrealistic expectations.

They get real about finding a balance between discipline and burnout, exploring how, sometimes, skipping a day (or several) can help your creative flow. If you’re tired of feeling guilt and shame every time you miss a day of drawing, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• Why the “draw every day” rule isn’t one-size-fits-all.
• How to build a creative routine that works for you—without the guilt.
• Real talk on why artistic success isn’t defined by daily output.

Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, Carrie and Toni share insights to help you make peace with your own unique creative rhythm.

References Mentioned

100 Day Project

30 Flowers in Your Style Challenge

Victory Tattoo

Liberty Tattoo

About Two Cranky Creatives

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.