Atlanta Creates

Sherry Donnelly | Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio

By November 5thOctober 18th, 2020No Comments

{ATLANTA CREATES}

Sherry Donnelly of Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio is a true inspiration. She is one of the most original people I know… While she has her own distinct style and her work is consistently amazing, she does not like to do the same thing more than once. She is passionate about her work, approaching each project, event, wedding, and photo shoot with contagious enthusiasm, and she is usually one step ahead of whatever is trending in the wedding world. With over 10 years of experience in the floral design business, Sherry is well-respected as an expert in her field. Her beautiful work has been featured across the web and in a number of wedding publications. However, those who really know Sherry know that she is remarkably humble and is continually researching, experimenting, and collaborating, with the goal of becoming even better at her craft. It is by no accident that she is a star of our time and one of my personal favorite “friendors.”

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Name and age: Sherry Donnelly, 50 something!
Current neighborhood: Clarkesville, Georgia – the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains-God’s Country!
Hometown: Winter Park, Fla.

What brought you to (or kept you in, or brought you back to) Atlanta?
I initially moved with my fiance to Gwinnett County when his employer transferred him. We got  married in, and moved to Clarkesville, Ga. 21 years ago. We left for a bit, but made our way back as we loved the area so much…

How do you pay the bills? What is your “slash”? (i.e. teacher/ amateur cupcake baker)
I established Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio over 10 years ago and am thrilled to still be evolving!

What do you create?
I am blessed to create beautiful designs, with gorgeous blossoms, for happy occasions!

What do you collect?
Being a Florida gal I have an immense seashell collection…funny thing is I love the worn and discolored ones the best…especially the blue-grey ones!

Your favorite artist now and as a child:
I have always loved the Impressionists especially Monet and Renoir…the way the individual strokes of paint all together come to life so exquisitely, not to mention the emotion that leaps inside my chest every time I see one of their paintings.

Last memorable home-cooked meal:
I am a Mom and I LOVE to cook for my family-I enjoy the energy around the table when we can all be together more than the delectable food!

An only in Atlanta moment:
I revisited the tradition of taking my daughter to the Nutcracker Ballet during Christmas at the Fabulous Fox. Different experience now that she is a young adult, but no less magical!

A favorite local business:
I have made it a tradition to eat at Mykinos Tavern on Clairemont Rd. after working a wedding. Me and my staff have become regulars there…nothing like a Big Greek welcome OPAH!!

Favorite way or place to unwind:
Sitting on a beautiful beach with nothing but the sound of the waves lapping the shore and tickling my toes…heaven!

Longest plane ride:
Orlando to San Francisco accompanied by my darling husband and our new baby girl…she never made a peep!

If you were an animal, which would you be?
I would love to fly, so any kind of bird!

If you were a color in the biggest crayola box, which would you be?
I loved getting our new crayons every year for school when I was a child….my sisters and I shared the BIG box at home and I vividly remember loving Cornflower!

Latest great adventure:
I haven’t taken advantage of all the hiking where I live so I went with a dear girlfriend to hike Panther Creek trail…didn’t realize it was going to be 7 miles round trip! It was worth every step…completely immersed in God’s creation and disconnected from the stress of the outside world!

Favorite US city? Favorite international city? (And why?) I have never traveled internationally…I know…get the passport and get going…I have been all over the U.S. and I truly love Chicago. The people are friendly, the downtown is clean, and it’s definitely called the Windy City for a reason! Grabbed a street sign to keep from being knocked down from the strong gusts!!

Coolest thing you’ve ever been for Halloween:
I was Wonder Woman one year and bartended in my costume-Bought it at Fredericks of Hollywood (those who are too young- this was pre-Victoria Secret!)…made a lot of tips that night! 🙂

What is your favorite dessert?
Anything extremely chocolate!

What song do you love most (or what’s on your playlist now)?
I know this is a song connected often to funerals…I love Amazing Grace….it speaks about me and my path.

If you could have your own photo session anywhere in Atlanta, where would you choose and why?
Any rooftop…the Atlanta skyline is just gorgeous…especially at sunset!

Sweet or savory (or your favorite brunch menu item)?
Savory!

Favorite dog breed:
Border collie mix

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Hair and Makeup by Claudia Mejerle. See her Atlanta Creates feature here.

Atlanta Creates” is a project intiated by Buffy Dekmar Photography to build creative community and share the faces and personalities behind creative businesses in Atlanta.

Follow this project on Instagram (@buffydekmarphoto + @dekmarfilms + #atlantacreates) and Pinterest. You can also send us your nominations for creative people you’d like to see featured here!

Buffy Dekmar Photography // Contax 645 // Nikon F5 // Kodak Portra 800 // Fuji Pro400H // Richard Photo Lab

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