This week’s Micronesian Monday Feature is on Alexie Ezekiel, a Pohnpeian-American who owns Whilander Forge, a shop for all things custom goods. Alexie draws on her background and experience to make items that really resonate with people. 

Having a charming, unique name like Alexie comes with its challenges.

“When I was younger and I could never find my name on anything,” Alexie Ezekiel said.  “My siblings’ names are Judy, Ashley and Aaron.  Super common names.  They found their names on pencils, license plates, necklaces and all that stuff.  And the closest I got was Alexis.”

The lack of representation over the years remained with Alexie well into adulthood, when she could finally do something about it. 

“That used to make me so mad,” Alexie said with a laugh. “ As islanders we all have such unique names and come from such unique places.  But none are names or places that we would be able to find on those items that others found their names on.”

Alexie is an expert crafter and when she saw her crafting friends making things with laser printers, an ocean of possibilities came into view.

“I saw so many things that I would do and make for me, my family, and other islanders, so we could have things that were our own.  Unique to ourselves, our names and where we’re from,” she said. 

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Alexie is living in St. Paul Minnesota. She was born and raised in Minnesota, just like her mom, and her father is from Pohnpei. 

“ When I was in school, I had friends that would have things that had the Mexican flag on it or Italy.  Things that were specific to where they were from and I could never find anything for Micronesia,” she said. “A lot of people back when I was in school thought that I made the place up.  So being able to make more items and goods to rep my roots has always been a dream of mine.”

It’s been some 20 months since Alexie launched her business, Whilander Forge, a one-stop shop for personalized items. Whilander Forge carries a number of items from Proud Micronesian keychains to custom Christmas ornaments to LED lamps. There is so much more on the shop’s website and Alexie isn’t stopping there.

She said she’s starting to dabble in clothing and a few other things. 

“I also make a lot of made to order items.  People reach out with an idea, something they would like and then I kind of just run with it and create what they envision in their head,” she said. 

Alexie has always wanted to do this, ever since she was a kid.

She said she doesn’t have much skill drawing things but she uses software from computers to take her designs from concept to reality.  

“I started with just a laser printer and then grew into having other crafting machines,” she added. 

Many of her products feature a Micronesian variation. For example, she has a family celebrations calendar that is topped with the word “Peneinei,” which is the Pingelapese word for family. 

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A post shared by Whilander🌺Forge (@whilander_forge)

"But I don’t just limit things to just my culture. I open it to others as well.  So when I advertise, I’ll put feelers out there like, ‘How do you say family in your language?’ because I want to be inclusive to others as well,” she said. 

Whilander Forge is a small but mighty operation. From the creating to crafting to packaging, shipping and advertising, “My team is really just me,” Alexie said. 

“But I don’t like to rule out my husband, Troy, who is from Pohnpei, Micronesia as well.  I like to count him as a part of the team.  Because without his support and him holding it down and watching our twin boys…so I can work, I would never be able to get anything done.”

Since launching Whilander Forge, Alexie has surprised herself. She said she’s more creative than she thought she was. She’s also been able to learn and fine-tune a lot of different crafts and techniques and she’s been able to learn more about her culture and her customers’ cultures too. 

The store’s name, Whilander Forge, comes from Alexie’s culture.

"In the Pingelapese community I am identified as a ‘Whilander,’ White and Islander – a term coined by Angela Edward,” she said. 

Alexie also decided on the term “forge” in part because of the first crafting machine she worked with. The term “forge” was also appealing because Alexie said she liked the idea of whilanders and islanders forging ahead. 

“We as Pacific Islanders have so much potential and power.  We bring so much to the world,” Alexie said. “So Whilander Forge felt like I was not only starting a powerful name for Whilanders but also islanders.”

Alexie said she is learning how to run her business as she goes and started without a business background. Now she has 20 months worth of experience and counting. 

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A post shared by Whilander🌺Forge (@whilander_forge)

Her best-selling item is a memorial ornament she made for families who have lost a child. 

“That is something I hold close to my heart.  Along with wanting to make items to rep my roots.  I also make items to help comfort those who have experienced loss,” she said. 

Alexie shared that she experienced a miscarriage. There wasn’t going to be a funeral, so when she was looking for a tangible way to honor the moment she took to the internet. 

“There really isn’t much out there for those that have miscarried at such an early stage.  Even though it’s so common.  So when I started Whilander Forge I knew I wanted to also make items to help comfort those who have experienced loss,” she said. 

The memorial ornament features two tiny footprints inside a winged-heart, surrounded by the phrase, “We’ll hold you in our hearts, until we can hold you in Heaven.” 

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A post shared by Whilander🌺Forge (@whilander_forge)

While it’s brought comfort to many people and it is probably her favorite item to make, Alexie said the memorial ornaments are bittersweet to produce. 

“But I just remember how I felt sad and alone during my time of loss and I remind myself I am providing an item that is helping someone mourn and heal,” she said.

To Micronesians looking to launch their own business, Alexie said: Just start and surround yourself with supportive people. 

"Yes, sometimes those people aren’t your family.  Because new things can be scary for your loved ones.  But be the one in your family to take the leap. Find your community.  There are groups out there and people from different places that you’ve never even met that can help you learn and grow.”

Thank you Alexie for sharing your story and being so open. Alexie is an absolute superwoman and I am so grateful to have learned more about her. 

Follow Whilander Forge on Etsy, TikTok @whilanderforge, Facebook and Instagram. 

You can learn more about the Ezekiels on their YouTube channel here. Alexie said she talks more about her miscarriage and IVF journey in her videos. Subscribe to the Ezekiel Adventures YouTube channel!

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