Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 43 and live with my sweetie, Les, and 2 cats and a hound dog. I come from a long line of needlewomen and my first passion was beadwork. I was in my 30’s before I discovered that I really wanted to be an artist. My current medium is ceramics though I still dabble with some jewelry and beads at times (mainly for fun). I turned in my notice to “Quit My Day Job” in January and today is the official 3 day freedom mark. I am blogging about the experience as I go along too.
What special things do you create for weddings?
My main directly wedding related products are Ceramic Ring Bearer Dishes and a hand carved tree tile that features the couple’s initials in a heart on the trunk and their full names and wedding date on the back of the tile. I also create dinnerware and offer a wedding registry for couples.
Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
My sister did. She has been quite successful on Etsy (http://meandmatilda.etsy.com) and is very good at marketing her work. My desire at the time was to go back to being a full time self supporting entrepreneur. My day job was making me sick! After one of our long sisterly chats she encouraged me to take a look at some markets that were basically recession proof. More of my thoughts on that are on my blog The post is called “Married, Buried, Barking or Born”
What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
The culmination of all of the various art and craft mediums that I have experienced that are included. I was a jewelry artist who did fine seedbead work (http://bluebearbeads.com) and that translates into the fine detail that is necessary for the hand carving, stamping, painting or image transfers that I use in my ceramics.
If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
I have been married once before, but not now. Though we may have to consider it for insurance! My ceremony for my first marriage was small. Just friends and family. The things that I wish I could have changed was not trying to do it all myself. I couldn’t enjoy things and don’t remember most of it. I wish I had worn a veil and that we had a videographer. Remember…I was married in 1986. Having a videographer was sort of new then!
What is your favorite wedding song?
I don’t have one. I didn’t have music at my first wedding. It was outside beside the beach and the waves were the music. Or was it the scurrying feet to get further back on the deck. It was high tide!
What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
Falling in love.
What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Don’t let “perfect” overpower the fun of the day. It’s the things that don’t go right that you will remember most and laugh about in the years to come. You won’t remember it if there aren’t flub ups. It is a whirlwind day, take in what you can and if the heel of your shoe gets stuck in the deck, just go barefoot!
What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
I haven’t traveled much and have a dream of going to Ireland and Scotland. Of course, any quiet beach and a hammock would be fine too.
If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
Famous doesn’t make any difference other than in getting me more publicity to keep doing what I love. Every bride that I work with is famous. They have given me the honor of being part of their day and creating an heirloom to treasure.
If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
I make a small trinket dish that has the saying on the front: “Put On Your BIG GIRL Panties And Deal With It!” I think every woman needs one.
Links where we can find out more about your work:
http://dawndalto.net
http://dawndalto.etsy.com
http://dawndalto.1000markets.com
http://bluebearbeads.com
http://bluebearbeads.etsy.com
