If you’ve seen beautiful baskets or containers in the past with wide openings between the wicker or wire, which made you shy away from buying it because you were unsure how to create an attractive design, the above video shares an easy solution to this problem.

I only purchased tightly-woven containers when first entering the industry, but that couldn’t continue.

Baskets in gorgeous colors, styles, and shapes were too hard to pass up, so I figured out how to design them without allowing the shred to escape or floral foam to show.

The fix is very simple. Watch the video. Then share with us other solutions in the comments section that you have for masking the design elements of wide weave baskets and containers.

Shirley George Frazier

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Top hats, red wagons, and tabletop rocking chairs were the types of containers I chose back in the 1990s when starting my gift basket business.

I didn’t buy baskets because many competitors sold their gifts with that vessel. There was nothing wrong with baskets, I simply wanted my customers to see the clear difference between me and them.

After a while, I decided to check the prices of baskets to decide if I wanted to add some to my inventory for gift basket making.

Where were the baskets?

I found a lot of high-priced ones at retail stores. That couldn’t be the source. Then I saw some featured in a trade magazine and ordered catalogs.

Finally, I attended one of the gift basket trade shows along with the New York International Gift Fair and found some terrific baskets. Without those two shows, I might have given up on baskets, staying with the containers most customers adored.

There are more than 70 wholesale basket sources throughout the U.S., which are listed in a report, but it seems that a big industry problem is finding affordable baskets.

Many of the suppliers within the report sell quality baskets that are also affordable. The flip side of the problem is finding resources that are close to your location.

Which is your basket problem – finding baskets in your region or finding affordable baskets?

Shirley George Frazier

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A few years ago, I selected a popular sleigh as the container for gift baskets ordered by a school principal for his staff members.

They absolutely loved the contents and presentation. I was glad to have decided how to wrap the awkward vessels.

The sleigh is shown at Ask The Gift Basket Expert where I explained how to wrap this type of container.

Traditional baskets can also be challenging to wrap, and what about choosing between cellophane, shrink wrap, and basket bags? There’s lots to consider, and best of all, you have numerous options to complete the design.

Here are other oddly-shaped baskets.

This tutorial on choosing between the three wrapping choices provides more insight on which one may be more manageable depending on the basket’s shape.

Cellophane was my first choice, as it probably was for you because it’s the most accessible and affordable material. Shrink wrap and basket bags also have their place. I’m certainly glad these selections exist. Aren’t you?

I’m still a fan of shrink wrapping a basket and adding an overlay of cellophane before it’s shipped. You might opt only for shrink wrap. I know many designers who do.

You’ll find more tips on applying cellophane at CellophaneWrapTips.com.

I appreciate all of you taking time from your schedules for this week-long look at baskets. What questions are still on your mind?

Links to this Week’s Series:
This Week – All About Baskets
Tall Baskets Add Height and Sales Value
Are Fabrics and Sprays on Your Baskets?
Where Do You Buy Baskets?

Shirley George Frazier

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The number of places where you can buy baskets is enormous, and in some cases, it causes conflict.

Here are some comments I’ve heard throughout my 19 years in the industry.

“Look for baskets from wholesalers for the best prices.”
“Buying flea market baskets means you’re giving clients second-hand goods.”
“Dollar store baskets are cheap and look cheap.”

The basket shown on this Baskets site is similar to the first type I purchased, and it was bought at a floral wholesale supplier just five minutes away from my store.

It was one I knew was designable as is or spray paintable or could be lined with fabric. Outside of that, I was pleased to find a supplier close to my location.

How many of you have wholesalers that close to your workspace? It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes you can get very lucky in other areas. A basket supplier can be found:

Baskets are the mainstay of your business, and that’s why you put so much consideration into finding the perfect vessels to attract clients, increase sales, and maintain profitability.

It’s important to consider much more before choosing baskets, including the specifications mentioned on this page.

One point I must ask you to avoid, if possible, is to become so overwhelmed with the options that you buy nothing. Start by making a list of the baskets you believe will be easy to work with and sell.

A few square shapes and oval shapes is good to start, or perhaps rectangler- and circular-shaped ones are better. Decide and buy.

Where did you buy your first baskets, and is that place still a favorite today?

Shirley George Frazier

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Many baskets in your inventory are totally convertible. How many options for changing a basket’s appearance can you count?

This is good news because if a basket suddenly seems unstylish, you can perform one of the above three tactics to change its look, a better option than storing it in back of your inventory room, taking up space and wasting money.

Here’s an example of a fabric-lined basket. The pink-and-white material is perfect for anything girly, but what about the men? That’s when you get real innovative and search for fabric that’s male inspired.

I know what you’re thinking. “I’m a designer, not a seamstress.” That’s okay, because another option is to remove the fabric and use the basket without a fabric liner. Think also about spray painting that basket if you do want color.

When I made gift baskets for Macy’s customers, I spray painted each basket before bringing them to the store.

The spring colors of yellow and green put big smiles on everyone’s face as I added pre-purchased products into each basket. If the event was in the fall, I would have spray painted the baskets green and gold.

Converting baskets to a style that matches your need to dazzle clients is within your reach. How many times do you find yourself changing configurations, or do you “use as is?”

Shirley George Frazier

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When you see a basket or container, especially one without a handle, what’s your first thought?

Some designers I know keep watch for these castoffs, which are often overlooked by designers who only buy traditional, handled baskets.

There are several design methods for these no-handle beauties that add sales appeal, especially in today’s economy, and the styling is simply a different way of thinking about the basket.

Customers prefer height. Anything with a tall configuration is considered more valuable than a shorter-styled basket made with the exact same items.

I showed some of these styles this past weekend at the Philadelphia Gift Show seminar. I displayed a baby basket made with a red tub and a design made in a wooden crate. Both were configured length wise rather than width wise. In other words, the gifts were tall, not wide.

Here’s an example of the crate I showed. In your mind, turn it so that the slats are vertical (up and down), and then place the gift items parallel to the slats. Now the gift is tall, the preferred value style for today’s customer.

Another option to make a tall gift is to find tall baskets, such as this one that’s traditionally for adding a beverage but does not have to include a bottle. There’s a handle on this option, providing the variety that may help you sell more.

Look at your baskets and think of positioning the ones that can be turned to reflect tall designs.

How might this option of making taller designs change your view about the gift baskets you’ve made in the past?

Shirley George Frazier

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Baskets are the focus of this week’s posts – where to buy, how to create new looks for less, wrapping options, and more.

I believe that a week’s tutorial on the basket will be instrumental to you for three reasons.

1. Trade show exhibitors will tempt you with their displays, but before making a purchase, it’s important to look at what you already own and decide how each one will become part of a masterpiece that convinces clients to buy.

2. This favored vessel is usually configured one way, and there are many other methods to consider when creating designs. You may not understand what I mean by this, but I’ll explain tomorrow. Stay tuned.

3. Sizes, styles, and shapes keep your designs fresh and interesting, but so can one or two types of baskets enhanced by different colors and closure materials. You’ll learn more about this, too.

I remember my first visit to a trade show, the big one in New York, when I was mesmerized while viewing all of the products on the show floor.

My first decision was to look through the directory to find basket sellers. I noted their booth numbers and began the search.

One thing I noticed about wholesalers is that they often sold nested baskets, which is explained on this page.

What do you think about nests? Do you buy them? For years, I was confused about them until I attended a conference and picked up an informative catalog that explained how to price nested baskets.

That eased my apprehension, and now I consider these combinations to be a wise investment.

You’ll find three pricing strategies on the same basket page mentioned above.

Sometimes single baskets prove to be a great buy, and other times nested groups are a great option. But the way I view nests may not be what works for you.

Which type of baskets sell best for you – singles or nested?

Shirley George Frazier

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Today’s Wholesaler Wisdom Guest Writer is Sarah Botchick of Pioneer Wholesale Co., Berea, OH.

Every gift basket designer needs to save money on baskets. There is one simple way to save money that many gift basket designers are not aware of – avoid buying single sized baskets with top handles!

Gift basket design magazines love to show gift baskets with top handles. And they certainly make beautiful designs. However, the top handles make baskets more expensive. Why? Because single size top handle baskets are more expensive to ship, both to the United States via the importer, then again to the gift basket designer.

Since these baskets cannot nest, only a small number can fit in each box. Basically, you are paying to ship air.

We ship our baskets all over the country and we have found that it is incredibly expensive to ship single size baskets with top handles since UPS and FEDEX have gone to charging by the cubic feet of the box instead of by the weight.

At times we have found that the freight on some single sized top handle baskets is as much as 50% of the cost of the basket!

So, what can designers do? There are three options that not only save you money, but also, as Shirley George Frazier pointed out in last week’s post, they save you on storage space in your shop.

1. Purchase baskets without a top handle.

Choose baskets without handles or with side ear handles. Don’t feel you need to sacrifice style when choosing this option – there are many baskets available without top handles in beautiful rich finishes and designs.

2. Look for a unique type of gift basket with “drop down” handles.

These handles fold down for shipping and allow the baskets to nest, but then can be pulled up when creating your designs to give you the look of the top handles, without the additional shipping cost.

3. If your designs absolutely require top handles, buy nested sets of baskets.

These save you money on shipping, as well as allow you to have a variety of sizes on hands for different design needs.

Pioneer Wholesale Co. is an experienced wholesaler and importer who can help you find the baskets you need. Visit www.pioneerwholesaleco.com or call 888-234-5400.

DESIGNERS: I encourage you to ask questions and share feedback for Sarah in the comments section. She’s happy to answer your questions!

Shirley George Frazier

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