I’m Alexa Allamano, the brains and hands behind Foamy Wader. I am a self-taught wire artist and I have been designing jewelry for 4 years now.  I was born and raised in Seattle, WA and reside there still.  The name Foamy Wader comes from the spirit of joy and playfulness felt when wading in the foamy sea water at the beach.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? Despite having grown up in a house with a self-employed father and a mother who created everything from clothing and jewelry to soap and truffles throughout my childhood it wasn’t until a chance meeting that I was inspired to begin crafting myself.  In 2007 a customer at the bank where I was working complemented a ring I was wearing and asked if I had made it. When I responded “I wish I knew how to make jewelry” she simply said “You can.  The world may want you to believe that you can’t, but you  absolutely can.”  That really resonated with me and I began playing with wire.  That was the last day job I had which I parted ways with in late 2008.

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? I love to travel and do frequently for craft fairs, but it can be really exhausting too!  Therefore I would have to say that travel is both the best and worst part of my handmade business. Well, bookkeeping is pretty arduous too.

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My name is Mona Kate and I am a graphic designer, accessories designer and seamstress living in Vancouver Wa. (just outside Portland Oregon). I have 2 kids and 3 cats to keep my company. I live on top of a hill with stunning views of Portland, all of our bridges and Mt. Hood. In my free time I play roller derby. I coach for Portland Men’s Roller Derby and have skates strapped to my feet often as possible! More people know me as Skatie Kat than Mona Kate!

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I work full time at my “craft” business and have done this in some form for the past 10 years. I vend every weekend at the Portland Saturday Market, which is a huge weekly craft show. I’m there every Saturday and most Sundays. It’s so nice to have a place to sell that is so popular and busy. I do still pick up the occasional shift at the coffee shop as a barista. What can I say, I love coffee and tips!

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. I usually do not start working until after 12. I like to keep my mornings free. I go to the gym for yoga and spin class, then grocery shop/errand run. After I feel I’ve done all I want to, I hit my studio. Individual designs usually come to me as I’m doing mundane tasks. When an idea strikes, I jump up and rush to the computer before I forget it!

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? The best part of what I do is having the freedom to have my days to myself. If I don’t want to work on a Monday, I don’t! It also leaves me free to dedicate much time to my other love, roller derby! The downside is that I am completely dependent on my sales. If it was a bad week at market, I have to hope to make it up or cut something out of the budget. January through March are ROUGH!

One of my favorite things to do is create custom work for artists, photographers and businesses. I make wallets for many roller derby leagues as well as individuals to sell on their own websites. Anyone reading this can take advantage of free shipping from my etsy shop by using the coupon code MAKER. My shop is located at http://kittencamaro.etsy.com

Make Pie Not War is a handmade jewelry company by Alana Little! We like to make “Jewels for the radical lady”, but we have pieces for men too! Alana started MPNW in 2007 after leaving the corporate world! MPNW loves to bring a whimsical and fabulous style to all who wear it! We love vintage pieces, gemstones, and precious metals to make our pieces! Our website is www.makepie.net and our etsy shop is www.makepienotwar.etsy.com.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? Alana graduated with an Accounting and Fashion degree, went to work in the corporate world, and then decided she had enough! She started MPNW and has been happy ever since! She does this full time while fitting in her time with her new babe!

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. Alana states, “I normally start with a piece that really inspires me, that I just have to use! From there, I figure out how I’m going to make this thing work!” MPNW is always on the look for fresh and new things to use. We always have our eyes open!

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? Best: Working for ourselves and having happy customers! We love hearing from people who we have made feel beautiful! Worst: Long hours!

We do promos all the time! Join our facebook page, www.facebook.com/makepie and keep up with us! But for our San Francisco Bazaar fans, use “BBFREESHIP” during check out for FREE shipping at www.makepienotwar.etsy.com! We look forward to seeing you all!