Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Mcdaniel
Hi Julie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up on a farm in a rural community in South Georgia. All of the women in my family were amazing cooks and had their special dishes and meals they were known for that they made for holidays, Sunday dinners, family reunions and all during the week. I was always around learning, watching, and helping. My grandmas, grannies (great grandmothers), and great aunts would let me see what they were making, how they made it, and shared recipes when I was older. When I was a preteen, I would make dinner for my family including dishes made from scratch including homemade biscuits. I got married young and had my first son and began making his birthday cakes. Sometimes I would draw free hand and sometimes use a shaped cake pan. As he got older and I had another son, I began to get more creative with cakes, making things like a pirate ship and treasure chest. I branched out and began experimenting with fondant, gum paste, modeling chocolate, and other ingredients that would stretch my design abilities. I read books about decorating and then when online videos came along I began watching them. I have never been to culinary school or taken a cake decorating class, but am self-taught. I had a lot of trial and error, successes and failures that led me to where I am today. I love making wedding cakes, 3-D realistic cakes, and other custom cakes for special occasions.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When my sons were 5 and 10 we moved to St. Louis, Missouri away from all of our friends and family. I only made a few cakes during the time we lived there. When we moved back to the Atlanta area in 2011, it was a little like starting over but I was able to start my business officially in 2013. Another setback came in 2016 when I tore the labrum in my shoulder and went through surgery and physical therapy. It took almost 6 months to get back to decorating cakes again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My artistic medium absolutely comes in the form of cake, icing, and other edible ingredients! I am amazed I am able to design and create all the cakes I have made in more recent years. Before I got into baking and decorating, I would not have considered myself very creative. I didn’t paint, draw, write, or sculpt things. I still surprise myself with the cakes I come up with. Some of my favorites are the three dimensional more realistic designs that I carve and sculpt then hand paint to make them come to life. I often go for the more artsy look instead of the perfect, technical ideal. I also prefer putting my own spin on a project instead of copying what someone else has already made. It is the most fulfilling when I can completely come up with a design from scratch and see the fascinated look on my client’s face when I deliver to the party. I never get over that excitement!
Pricing:
- Custom cakes begin at $100
- Sculpted cakes begin at $300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artfulcakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfulcakerybyjulie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artfulcakerybyjulie
- Twitter: https://x.com/kahulamae
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artfulcakerybyjulie
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artful-cakery-by-julie-flowery-branch?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/kahulamae/ , https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-cakes-desserts/artful-cakery-by-julie
