Vendor Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Dawn Dalto (CLOSED)

Love Plate

Our next Vendor Spotlight is someone I've been really excited to share with you for some time. If you plan on sending your ring bearer down the aisle with a pillow, you might reconsider when you see photos from Dawn Dalto Ceramics. Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Dawn makes a variety of ceramic arts, including the increasingly popular ring bearer plates. The concept is new to me, but they've been catching on in the wedding world for some time. Held in the little hands of your ring bearer, they make a lovely photo op! And while your pillow might go in the attic or in a box after the wedding, your dish can hang on the mantle or on the wall -- a wonderful keepsake!


As the host of this giveaway, I received a ring bearer plate from Dawn. As soon as I opened the package, I was impressed with how adorably small and lightweight it is, a perfect fit for your lil guy! Since our ring bearer is a little older, I thought it might be something different for him instead of a poofy, feminine pillow. Our dish came with an impressed slogan: "Live, Love, Laugh." The color of the wording and the borders give off an elegant aged, antique look. The dish also comes with an organza ribbon where your rings can be safely tied. Dawn can also customize some of the plates with the couple's names and wedding date. Sold at reasonable and affordable prices, these dishes are a great value (considering you can enjoy them long after the wedding). Delicate, beautiful and sweet, Dawn's dishes make a lovely touch to your wedding, as well as a timeless, decorative piece for you and your FH to keep!
I've always been facinated with ceramic arts and pottery and here, Dawn explains the intricate process. Introducing, Dawn from Dawn Dalto Ceramics!

Live Laugh Love Plate

What got you started in making ceramic items?

My partner, Les Powell of Smoking Turtle Studio is a ceramic artist. We had been together for about 3 years when I accepted a position at Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts as the Assistant Director. I have always been an artist, but just hadn't considered clay. Well, you can't be exposed to it day after day without finally having to get your hands dirty!

How long have you been making these products?

I started in ceramics 4 years ago. I began seriously developing a product line and marketing my work about 2 years ago.

What made you decide to create wedding items as well?
My sister Tonia of http://meandmatilda.com. I may be the older sis, but she has some serious business savvy! We were discussing markets that people will always have a need to spend money on. Weddings is one of them. I wrote a blog post about it a little while back called "Married, Buried, Barking & Born" http://dawndalto.net/cart/?p=165

I've heard of ringbearer pillows, not plates. How did you come about making these?
It began with my sister again. I make a line of little "Day of the Week" kitty dishes and she thought they would be the perfect size for Ring Bearer Dishes. The concept is not new. One of the first to offer them was Paloma's Nest. I loved the concept, but wanted to make sure that what I was offering was unique and different from what was already available on the market.

Ring Bearer Dish in Damask

Why plates instead of pillows?
It's a keepsake that lasts. They can be used on your dresser to hold your rings and jewelry and they can also be hung on the wall by the ribbon.

Your products are all handmade. Can you tell me a little bit about the process?
Every piece is handmade by ME. I roll out a slab of clay, cut out the dish and then hand stamp, screen print, and sometimes carve the design. Then I form the dish. The clay is then allowed to dry and then it is bisque fired to remove all water and harden it. Then depending on the dish a color wash may be applied and washed off. It is then glazed and refired to higher temperature.

Tell me something unique about your products.
Most folks are surprised at how light they are. They measure 4.25"x4.25" square (approximately-they are handmade afterall) and fit perfectly in your little Ring Bearer's hand

*Any other information about yourself or your products you'd like to share?
I don't just make Ring Bearer Dishes. I have 3 different product lines. That is what keeps it fun for me (a bit of diversity) In addition to the Ring Bearer Dishes I create custom dinnerware and handcarved tiles and wall boxes.

Links where we can find out more of your work:
website: http://www.dawndalto.net
Blog: http://dawndalto.net/cart/?page_id=295
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=box_3&id=1093670993#!/pages/Dawn-Dalto-Ceramics/279707322436?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dawndalto
Etsy: http://dawndalto.etsy.com
1000 Markets: http://dawndalto.1000markets.com

The GIVEAWAY:
Dawn is giving one lucky reader a RING BEARER DISH of $32 value!

To Have and To Hold Plate


The RULES
1) Go to Dawn's Etsy Shop, Website or 1000 Markets shop and comment on your favorite item for one entry. This is mandatory! Contestants who do not do this will be disqualified. Remember to leave your email address or some way to contact you with each entry!

Additional entries (remember to leave separate comments for each additonal entry)

2) Become a new follower of this blog (1 entry)
4) Are currently a follower of my blog (2 entries)
5) Become a facebook fan of “I Do” Budget Weddings (2 entries)
6) Become a facebook fan of Dawn Dalto Ceramics (2 entries)
7) Blog about the contest and include a link to the giveaway. Each entrant must also include a link to Dawn Dalto's Etsy Shop in their post (3 entries)
8) Buy anything from Dawn Dalto Ceramics (5 entries)
9) Follow “I Do” Budget Weddings on Twitter (1 entry)
10) Follow Dawn Dalto Ceramics on Twitter (1 entry)
11) Tweet on this giveaway and include a link to this giveaway in your tweet (1 entry)
12) Grab my button and place it on your blog (1 entry)
13) Subscribe to "I Do" Budget Weddings emails (1 entry)

The deadline to enter this contest is 11:59 p.m., Friday, April 16, 2010 (PST). A winner will be randomly chosen and announced the following day. Good luck! (This giveaway is now closed)