If I could tell you something about Mrs. Alana Little, it would be that she’s sitting pretty…literally. Alana is the founder of the jewelry line Make Pie Not War. If you aren’t familiar with Make Pie, you soon will be. She started her company in July 2007 and has been busy every since. She’s recently been featured in the September 2009 issue of the popular ladies magazine, Lucky, as well as winning “Doer of the week” on the Martha Stewart blog. Her jewelry is her art and can be closely compared to affordable couture. A little vintage and a slash of funky in style, Alana thinks about each piece carefully and makes her necklaces and bracelets completely unique. She describes her line as “Jewels for the Radical Lady” and it obviously fits. When you sport a piece from Make Pie you immediately feel hip, beautiful and stylish, and what lady doesn’t love that?!
Alana and I met a few years back because our husbands are close friends. I quickly realized that she was passionate about fashion. She graduated from the Los Angeles branch of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and has refused to stop her love for the fashion world just because of her finished degree. I admire her for her drive, her creativity and of course, her juicy jewelry.
Here’s a little more 411 on the lady herself.
1) How did you get into Jewelry making?
I started when I was 10! I wanted to learn as a hobby with one of my friends and when I got older, I used it as a creative release from corporate America! I finally got sick of the corporate rat race and decided to leave (thanks to my husband) and started Make Pie Not War.
2) I’m sure many people are wondering what “Make Pie, Not War” means. What does it mean, or represent to you?
It means to remember the lighter side of life. With so much pain and hurt out there, its easy to get lost in the every day hardship of living. I want people to open up their package or wear their piece and remember that there is plenty of beauty and frivolity in life!
3) How long have you been making Jewelry?
17 years… man, that makes me feel really old.
4) Tell us a little bit about your journey with starting this business.
I graduated from CSU, Fresno with a B.S. in Business Accountancy. I went straight off to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received a degree in Fashion Design. I then worked as a corporate accountant, realized that this was not the road for me, quit while my husband was touring with his clothing line, Ephraim Clothing (www.ephraimclothing.com). I felt so sad being by myself, that out of this sadness I created something beautiful, Make Pie Not War.
5) Do you make custom pieces?
I do! I love working with my customer to create something original and uniquely theirs! I find that my customers will keep this piece forever versus something they just find on my site.
6) How would you describe your style?
Simple and funky with a touch of classic eternal good taste.
7) Is Jewelry your passion?
No. I would say that its one of them… I love fashion and styling people. My only true passion is loving God and my husband.
8 ) How long does it take you to design a custom piece? How far in advance does someone need to order before receiving their product?
It depends on the customer! Some pieces by their very nature are more difficult, but normally I get a vision and I can make it happen! Lead time (or how long from ordering to completion) depends on what I’m designing and if I need to order supplies!
9) Tell us a little about owning your own business. Pros…Cons…whatever you’d like to share.
Pros:
You can sleep in. You’re the boss. I can roll out of bed and work. I get to be home with my husband and my dog. I get all the credit for my successes. Fabulous customers who get you. Getting to support people and organizations. Traveling. Unique view on business and the world. Freedom!
Cons:
Sleepless nights. Financial roller coaster. The work never stops. You have no one to blame but yourself for failure. Difficult customers. Always getting hit up for charity events. Missing events like my friends’ weddings because you always work on weekends.
10) Tell us where we can find you. Where can we order Make Pie Not War?
I have an online store or you can find a list of my stockist!
11) What if someone is on a budget…are you able to design a piece based on budget?
I can normally design on a dime. Obviously the more you have to spend the more options you’ll have. I’m pretty cheap for the level of awesomeness you get.
12) How is Make Pie Not War different than the average jewelry line?
I don’t make my jewels in mass. You’re not going to see everyone in the world wear the same piece as you. You get to work directly with the artist (i.e. me) and its made with love! I stay true to myself and hopefully it translates to my customer! I also come to people’s houses and do parties where you get to have a face to face experience. I also use many vintage pieces, real gemstones, and precious metals without charging an arm and a leg. I call myself affordable luxury.
13) What type of jewelry is your favorite to make, Necklaces, bracelets, rings?
I don’t know if I have a favorite really… I just like jewelry.
14) What inspires you?
I am inspired by the most ridiculous things. I’ll find an old piece and away my mind goes! Or I see a color in a gemstone and I create the piece around the color and the gemstone… It’s really a whimsical process… I love art, music, and cultures. When I find something that blows my hair back, look out!
15) What do you hope to achieve with Make Pie Not War? Where do you want to take this business?
Good question… I’d like to stay small, but after being featured in Lucky Magazine, I’m not so sure my customers will let me! I also am going to Thailand in November where I hope I can create a quasi-jewelry/business school/legacy in an orphanage I’ll be visiting for a couple weeks. I’d love to see the influence on MPNW as far as creating beauty to wear an independent enterprise.
16) If you could live anywhere, where would you live and why?
It changes everyday… My husband and I love to travel, but most of the time, I’m happy right where I am! I love being around my family and there is no other place on earth that can afford me that! Who knows, maybe after I get back from Thailand, I’ll say Thailand… lol.
17) What’s your favorite dessert?
This is like picking a favorite child. I don’t think anything beats an Aebleskiver (Danish pancake ball) or a slice of homemade Boysenberry pie.
18) What can we find you doing with your free time?
Probably shopping, doing something ridiculous with my husband, crafting, or watching CSI… Or all the above at the same time. Yes, it’s possible.
19) Why are accessories so important?
They’re important because it’s the one thing that all cultures in all time periods have in common. Even in places where they wear no clothes, they still adorn their bodies. I find this exceptionally interesting due to our great differences. I had never thought about this until I went to the FIDM. It’s also fascinating to me that a piece of jewelry can alter our emotional state. Like opening your MPNW package and putting on your new necklace… How it can put a zing in your step! I get emails like that all the time and it’s true.
