When I began searching for a career that provided satisfaction, gift baskets never entered the picture. I trained to be a secretary, but I soon found working for someone else to be boring.

In 10 years I worked for 10 different companies. So I began searching for a profession that would challenge my creativity.

My great-grandmother, Mary Smith, grew her own strawberries in Virginia and shipped them to Manhattan during the early 1900s. In the 1940s a great-aunt made fudge, and my mother was her delivery person. My father was co-owner of a chemical company in the 1970s.

Their pursuits sealed my fate as an entrepreneur, but you don't have to find creativity in your family to be bitten by the gift basket bug. What most designers share is a love of making something beautiful with their hands. If you possess this trait, you'll love gift baskets.

My mother enrolled me in sewing classes when I was 10. I knitted and crocheted in my teen years, and I've always loved arts and crafts. You couldn't pry me away from making jack o'lanterns at camp. Were you the same way? That's part of what gift basket designers have in common.

In the 1980s computers were becoming a hot commodity. I wanted to start a word processing service, but I quickly gave up that idea and replaced it with one to open an intimate apparel boutique. I'm fascinated by retailing and have worked at small and large stores. Since ladies love lingerie, it seemed to be a good match.

Then my husband, John, made a gift for a co-worker. He took a small bottle of liqueur and paired it with a shot glass, gluing rocks to the bottom. He covered it in plastic wrap and added a small bow on top. The recipient loved it. John's thoughtfulness is what led me to a career making gift baskets.

If you're interested in making one single gift basket, that's fine. But if you want to keep your hands constantly submerged in the shred and cellophane...

Read the rest when you order The Gift Basket Design Book.

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The Gift Basket Design Book, 2nd ed.
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Unsolicited Book Comments

I have read this book inside and out at least twice. Shirley Frazier shows you what you need and how to get started selling gift baskets. As a matter of fact the techniques shown in this book provides guidelines in making a professional looking gift basket. I have found that I can make a better gift basket than what you sometimes find at other specialty stores. In October of 2004, I started implementing the techniques she teaches and frankly have received successful results (meaning sales!) I have received orders online and from family and friends. This is a great book well worth the price. A must buy!
Brandee J. Beavers - Clay Center, Nebraska

"If you are new to designing gift baskets or simply considering entering the trade, buy this book. It is an easy to follow, step-by-step instruction source (the b/w photos are exceptionally clean and clear). There are also color photos of the completed works/samples and a valuable Appendix/Resource List. Frazier offers several options for constructing your baskets, complete with "pros/cons" for each method, as well as how to fix a mistake. If you buy this book you should also get Frazier's "How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business".
Roxanne Ocampo - Tracy, California

“This book has become my bible of designing. I am a home business gift basket owner, and thanks to this book I can now design beautiful designs.”
LaTunya Sifford - Aberdeen, North Carolina

Read the intro