Meet Amy Phelps | Floral Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Phelps and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I only recently moved to Atlanta in 2017 and had lived in Cleveland, Ohio my entire life (but for college and studying abroad). Growing up in the Midwest, you learn to really appreciate warmer weather and sunshine since so much of our year is chilly, rainy and/or snowy. I have so many memories of the beaches of Lake Erie and hikes in our Metroparks from my childhood and more recently with my own family. But some of my most impactful memories were the simple ones spent in the garden. Whether it was pulling weeds or planting annuals, I vividly remember getting my hands dirty alongside my mother and grandmother. It never felt like a chore, it was enjoyable and special one-on-one time (which I didn’t get much of, growing up with three brothers). My mother imparted upon me the value in non-traditional plants and blooms. When I picked the dandelions, she would put them in a vase with pachysandra and voila, a floral arrangement was created! These were sun-filled and quiet times I cherished without realizing at that time how much they would shape who I am now. I still enjoy getting my hands dirty whether planting in my own garden or foraging in the woods behind my home for foliage. We have such fantastic weather in the south; so much is blooming all throughout the year. Season after season I relish the first blooming magnolias and the early sprouts of the hosta peeking out. These waves of nature that unfold take me back to my childhood. I don’t take a single sunny day for granted and still recall how my mother could design a truly special arrangement with just those basic yard pickings I would bring her. There is always something beautiful to design with, right under our noses and I am grateful my matriarchs taught me that at such an early age.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I created a flower design business, each day florals. For many years it was arrangements here and there, maybe the occasional event. But now, with the support of my husband, children and dear friends, my side hustle has become my career. I still feel very green in this industry even though I have years of experience, but I also feel like that humility keeps me open to continuing to learn from everyone with whom I get the opportunity to work. I am currently working on balancing my own flower events (weddings, parties, corporate events and personal arrangements) with freelancing on larger design teams. I’m still at the point where I desperately want to say “yes” to everything, but I am quickly learning that’s not feasible. At the same time, although I am working on refining my brand identity, I am also realizing that it’s not a finite concept, rather a continually evolving style. I try to take from every freelance event and weave more threads into my own tapestry of design. Currently, I am definitely enjoying flower design styles that tend to be a little Dutch-mastery and a whole lot of Georgia-garden. I think my work illustrates those styles. Additionally, being new-ish to the area and this flower scene, I work exceptionally hard and forage a ton to keep my expenses down. People definitely reach out to me if they want a look that is memorable and creative, but don’t have a six-figure floral budget. I want to express to those looking to hire a floral designer, that I will lay out all my tricks and work crazy hard to make the most out of every leaf and bloom.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, I still feel like I am just learning the city myself! Most of what I know and love about the ATL comes from flower events or family-driven events. We are Upper Westsiders, so my heart would definitely start our tour there. Definitely we would have lunch and a cocktail at The Companion, check out the Westside Reservoir Park and continue to stroll on the Proctor Creek Trail. There are always bees and birds humming along the trail edge, checking out what’s newly blossomed. My family and I always enjoy rafting/kayaking down the Chattahoochee River, hiking in Sweetwater State park and also walking the belt line. Recently we have very much liked checking out the newly developed West End belt line trails — awesome artwork and tons of new plantings to inspect. And one of our other most fave parts of ATL are the breweries, there are SO MANY: Scofflaw, Round Trip, Bold Monk, Firemaker, Monday Night, Wild Heaven… I could go on and on!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Obviously, my mother and grandmother were hugely influential to planting the seed for my interest in flowers, pun definitely intended. But the design-side took off when I began working for a super-talented and kind-hearted designer in Cleveland, Amy Miller of branch and bloom. She took my interest in flowers and unloaded all of her design knowledge for me to absorb. She laid out all the basics of mechanics, flower processing and classic styling. The years I worked with her were fundamental to where I am now. She even introduced me to the artistic genius of Amy Osaba of Amy Osaba Design, here in Atlanta. That connection spun out into a whole new world of design theories and event planning that still blows my mind. The floral industry in Atlanta is thriving and so loaded with talented designers who are extraordinarily willing to teach and learn together. It’s this beautiful floral family, referring business to each other, bouncing ideas off each other and freelancing together. Amy Osaba and Mary Wynn (of Amy Osaba Design) have been my biggest cheerleaders in going out on my own and pushing each day florals out into the flower-verse; they are forever stamped on my heart.

Website: Www.eachdayflorals.com

Instagram: @eachdayflorals

Facebook: @eachdayflorals

Image Credits
Kelly Petrello (behind the scenes photos)