The Flower Basket

02/16/2024

One year ago today I quit making flowers and turned my back on my business. I lost my help, my business, and my mom and my grown kids all at the same time. My future was so lost.

I suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. At this point it affects my movement and arms and legs. I have a tremor that has escalated in addition to dealing with spasticity on a daily basis.

I am on the most advanced MS medicine yet my disease is progressing. I am 44.

If you see this post, please say a prayer to God that maybe he remember me and the others who are suffering. I know he has a lot to do. If, maybe just for a minute or two, we could all get some relief, your prayer would be worth it.

Thank you.

06/25/2023

It’s hard for me to come back to this page. I’ve completely abandoned it. I haven’t been hustling flowers since the winter.

I didn’t realize how sick I was, to be honest.

I did close up shop in February. I didn’t announce anything. I just quit.

My family wasn’t really thrilled that I used all my energy and spoons on this business. I lost some help and there was no way I could keep going the way I was.

MS is a thief. It steals, kills, and destroys dreams.

Thank all of y’all that supported me through the years. If I actually had access and authorization to shut down this FB page, I would. However, as it is, strangely I don’t. 😂

Apart from having three children in natural childbirth, nothing has been more challenging and amazing than running this shop for y’all that believed in me and I sure thank you.

It’s with complete blind faith that I trust God has another path for me. As of right now, I don’t see it. Much love, Dana 💛

01/03/2023

December of 2022 left me overwhelmed and frustrated. I needed to take an unexpected week off of work to recalibrate and figure out the next steps for my life.

After discussion with my family, we are going to tighten up the hours of the shop even more. I’ll be checking on phones ( 1-208-414-2151 )Monday-Friday 9-12. My same day cut off time is getting bumped up an hour to 12. The website (www.theflowerbasketllc.com ) is going to be my go-to suggestion for anyone wanting an order.

In order to slow down so I have enough energy for family, I have to compromise or lose my business entirely. We’re all just trying to figure this out, right?

Cheers to 2023 and new beginnings, the memories to be made, and the mountains that will be climbed. -Dana

11/04/2022

I’m not sure how many folks know that I closed my flower shop store front and transferred that business into my home. Using my website and phone number I capture a decent amount of work to keep an old gal busy. We moved this year and that meant also moving a business.

My husband, Toby, has worked so hard to get my workroom together. We’ve added a cooler and shelving to an existing garage. Plumbing is the next project to tackle.

I haven’t felt my best lately and it’s one of those funks where you don’t really feel well enough to do a lot, but you’re definitely not willing to stay in bed all day.

I woke up to snow this morning! I also woke up feeling ready to tackle a busy weekend. As I worked I became incredibly grateful I have an opportunity to work in such a wonderful industry steps away from my house. Thank you to my family and friends who’ve helped us get this far. Thank you to the five in the trenches with me every day listening to me struggle, whine, repent, and repeat. I have a beautiful family.

Here is an official tour of my digs this far! I am gonna paint and decorate here soon. I finally did get some decor up in my kitchen this last week. We moved last December. 😬

09/19/2022

Shop for your Girl's League flowers online, anytime. Thanks so much for your love and support! Can't wait to get busy making these little works of heart! 💛

https://theflowerbasketllc.com/girl-s-league-special-corsage-or-boutonniere.html

09/18/2022

I've known Bonnie and family since we were youngin's! It was an honor to make this bouquet for her and super rad to see in a photo by Randi Davies. 💛

09/01/2022

We had a family wedding last weekend! Disco garland, bright pinks and oranges - it came together so beautifully! Loving this bridal bouquet and the help of Burlap ‘n Buds flower farm. Enjoy your day everyone!

05/02/2022

Order now for mom! 💛

www.theflowerbasketllc.com

04/29/2022

I am supposed to be preppin' my mothers day flowers and working on making a beautiful funeral set for tomorrow... Instead, I am daydreaming about inflation of all things!

I've been pricing things out and then remodifying recipes and trying to figure out how mad it's going to make someone when they spend $40 and get what $40 will buy them this year. I'm not price gouging. If anything, I'm taking financial hits daily because costs have jumped on different flowers at different times and all at once... everything is more expensive.

Each component of a bouquet costs more. Flower food is substantially more expensive. I have to charge a bit for this. Before, it could be part of the deal. Vases, baskets, and containers are all more expensive and freight to get them here is greater than years past. In 15 years the retail price of a carnation has gone up about $1.00. In the last few months the retail price of a carnation has gone up $.50. Each blossom and stem of greenery is more money. Iris are bizarre. I could resale one arranged iris for $2.50 to $3.00 a year ago. This spring, I have to charge $5.50 for one iris to make money. I just can't believe it.

Flowers are truly a luxury item to be enjoyed!

Most folks in the area know that my mom fought a pretty intense battle with cancer for a number of years. And she won! She won! Mother's Day is especially meaningful to me because I wasn't supposed to have anymore with her. In 2017 - I think, that was the year - I took her to do an experimental cancer treatment in San Diego. Doctors here could do nothing more for her recurrent cancer. We were helpless. Afraid. Angry. God was with us and led us to help. I hate to admit that I tend to forget how lucky I am to have a life to live that includes my mom.

I am blessed. My mom and I hang out most weekday mornings. We just went to the play here in town, "Steel Magnolias." It was so good! It was so fun to enjoy with her. I'm just really thankful that I have a mom to call, a mom to hug, a mom to love.

For Mother's Day this year, spend time with your mom if you can. I'd love to make her flowers. They aren't cheap and I can't guarantee much of anything so, if that doesn't sound like a deal, I don't know what is! Haha!

I've got to get my hands busy. Please know how hard this inflation thing is for me and other small business owners trying to make it work. We're all doing the best we can. ~Dana

04/06/2022

It's almost time for the dance. Order prom flowers online! Or, give us a call at 208-414-2151. The WHS 2022 Prom is April 23, 2022.

Welcome to our homegrown Weiser, Idaho flower shop - handmade arrangements delivered locally!

02/07/2022

I don't really love social media and only get on here once in awhile. I just realized my sweet husband Toby has this picture of me as his profile picture. He loooooooves me! 🌻😍

02/07/2022

The Weiser Signal made up this ad for us! Make sure to grab your paper this week. And then you should order flowers. Hehe. 😁

02/07/2022

Send some love this Valentine’s Day! 💛 www.TheFlowerBasketLLC.com or call 208-414-2151. 🥰

02/07/2022

I am ramping up for Valentine’s Day and needed a moment to sit before my truck comes in this afternoon. I am not prepared to write the check for this load! Prices on EVERYTHING have gone up! All components of a bouquet are more expensive. Perhaps I will have leftovers? Maybe I’ll sell out? I don’t know! I literally have no clue what will happen this week. I’m just gonna keep on keeping on and do the best I can. Cheers to facing fears! ~Dana

02/06/2022

Valentine’s Day is almost here! I can hardly believe it! Order this week! 208-414-2151 or www.TheFlowerBasketLLC.com . The sooner the better! Prices are hot, flowers are limited! Smooches! -Dana 🥰

01/05/2022

01/05/2022

01/05/2022

Please know I am still making flowers! The best way to order is to call 208-414-2151 or to directly use our website: www.theflowerbasketllc.com. I am not great at using social media messaging for my orders. Thank you so much for supporting my small business! I will work hard for you. ~Dana

Welcome to our homegrown Weiser, Idaho flower shop - handmade arrangements delivered locally!

10/09/2021

I’ve never had much confidence. I’ve realized lately that my work is becoming more refined and I am so thankful that I have had time to get better at my craft. My confidence is building. So much more to learn but, doing this centerpiece for over ten years gives me a pretty good idea of how far I’ve come. Keep working hard, friends! -Dana 💛

10/06/2021

We'd love to create your WHS Girl's League dance flowers for the event October 16th. You can see and order our corsage and boutonniere flowers with prices online www.TheFlowerBasketLLC.com or call 208-414-2151 and we'll get you set up. ~Dana & Susan

Welcome to our homegrown Weiser, Idaho flower shop - handmade arrangements delivered locally!

10/05/2021

Two fall birthday bouquets! I am going to enjoy delivering these. I hope everyone is having a great October!

10/01/2021

These are just a portion of the orders I have been blessed with today. The blur that was September is now over! I am so thankful for the overwhelming support of my little flower shop. I started working from home doing a web and delivery based business. So far, I haven’t had a chance to slow down, at all! It’s been super unreal! Cheers to new beginnings and having courage! 💛

10/01/2021

I am practicing up with my corsages and boutonnières for Girl’s League at WHS October 16. We are available to place an order by phone (414-2151) Monday-Friday 9-3 and products will be available to order online soon. Excited to work hard for your dance, Wolverines! 🐾🌹💃🕺

09/01/2021

To my friends and supporters,
In 2007, on this day, I took over ownership of the small floral shop in our town known as The Flower Basket. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I was willing to learn and work hard. Here we are fourteen years later! Thank you to all who have helped teach me, support me, encourage me, move me, pick me up, deliver for me, and carry this business with me along the way. It really has taken a village.

At this juncture in my journey, I feel that I am unable to continue to do a good job running a floral and gift shop while still taking care of myself and my family. It was an emotionally difficult decision to make but, there was so much stress and pressure, something had to give. The business has grown substantially in the last two years. I tried to put the shop on the market for a decent duration, but I was unable to get an offer. It was disappointing, but I knew I had something of value and something that couldn’t just be given away. I can’t tell you how many times I have wrestled with the Lord about why this all happens the way it has.

I have been open with most folks that I have Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, I have a beautiful, busy family. My husband and I had the opportunity to buy two of Weiser’s local gyms, Small Town Fitness this past winter. My oldest daughter is a senior, my middle daughter a freshman, my handsome son is in the 4th grade. I have been so busy with the business, I cannot be the mom and wife I want to be, much less take care of myself and my health. After a lot of prayer, consulting with wise friends, and a little bit of soul searching, we found it best to close the brick-and-mortar location at 308 State Street. It has been a very sad time packing up the store. However, the best part is, I can still do what I love most – make flowers.

My awesome husband has made a fantastic workspace at our home, and I am going to attempt a telephone and web-based business from my house. This gives me a much slower pace to have to work at, the time I need to make wholesome meals for my family, watch my girls play sports, support my church, get rest I need when I need it, and eliminates the stress of being at the store six days a week.

I will still be taking web {www.TheFlowerBasketLLC.com} and phone {1-208-414-2151} orders daily and can do same day orders received by 1pm. I will be available to meet customers for consultations on weddings and funerals and I am working out the details for a few in-town options for pick-up orders.

I appreciate my customers and I hope that I am able to continue to serve you as your hometown florist.

With love and light,
Dana Clary

07/23/2021

06/14/2021

So…. I’m trying to get this “boho” vibe down. To me it’s sort of a wonky style bouquet. The trick for me is trying to get the wild look down with commercial flowers. I am getting the hang of it, but can’t wait to get my hands on a few buckets from the flower farm to add the perfect accents to this charmer.

06/10/2021

My MRI showed no new MS lesions! We are thankful. We are still trying to figure out how to manage my symptoms to improve my quality of life. My shop might be selling but I’ll have flowers in my blood forever! Thankful I got the chance to make this beauty today. I borrowed a field in the upper country to do a photo shoot before delivery. Trying to enjoy life while you’re in a struggle is a challenge. This is for all of you out there, just like me, totally wingin’ it and praying for the best.

06/09/2021

Gotta chance to work on my wedding skills today. One of these flowers is not like the other, some of these stems are fake! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make the bride happy! Peach garden roses, Darlington garden roses, fillers and eucalyptus. I love that in floristry (Did I just make up a word?) you get to combine the creative and artistic skills of making bouquets, with the mechanics of crafting, while being thoughtful to the science of flowers. It’s a pretty cool job and more than most realize.

05/03/2021

Shop now at www.TheFlowerBasketLLC.com to order flowers for Mother’s Day. The Weiser Signal made this beautiful ad for us! We feel blessed to live in a small town and we are thankful to have your business! We would love to serve your mom some beautiful flowers this week. 208-414-2151

Welcome to our homegrown Weiser, Idaho flower shop - handmade arrangements delivered locally!

03/30/2021

We're taking orders for this week's upper country prom. Please call 208-414-2151 for your corsage and boutonniere. The sooner the better! ~Dana