Small Business Spotlight: Blue Willow Estate Sales
Happy Monday, everyone! Welcome back for another Small Business Spotlight: Blue Willow Estate Sales in Abilene!
Finally, after the plumbing issues were fixed, I was free to leave the house again to research a small business spotlight in my new home, Abilene.
You are looking at Kristy (L) and Robyn (R) who run the business Blue Willow Estate Sales.
I did not set out this day to meet these ladies…they were a surprise in my treasure hunting journey.
I was actually going somewhere else (wait for it at the end of the week) and I had to park in front of Blue Willow.
I looked up and saw there sign…and thought, “Yes, let’s go in there for a small business spotlight.” I found much more.
My reason for writing Small Business Spotlight for my new community is to honor their work and hopefully bring in a little business!
Women who read the blog have already driven in to shop some of these places…and that really blesses me and the shop owners.
Please join me as I share with you what Kristy and Robyn are doing and why it will be a new favorite of mine for the home.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: BLUE WILLOW ESTATE SALES: WHAT I FOUND
I love to watch the home design shows where the designers go into estate sale and consignment shops to create the space.
Modern furniture stores often leave me cold and uninspired.
Since I prefer a French Country, rustic, cozy home, I do not like everything to match exactly.
Therefore, Blue Willow captivated me from the moment I entered their doors.
One thing that is so great about setting up a new home later in life is that I can finally do what I want!
Mr. B seems to like my choices and I really want to take him back to visit Blue Willow.
He loves museums and for many reasons, this is like visiting one.
Blue Willow Estate Sales is a step up from a traditional re-sale shop because of the quality of the items I saw.
And they have curated the rooms into beautiful spaces and designs.
I recently purchased a small chandelier on line, and now I am kicking myself that I did not wait and shop here.
So many pretty things.
I did pick up a couple of small items that I will show you after we take down Christmas.
I would prefer you see them in the area I envision.
One is a cookie jar!
I have not owned a cookie jar for a long time and I have been looking for one…especially now, that my grandsons often walk in the door hoping for cookies.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: BLUE WILLOW ESTATE SALES: WHAT I WORE
I realize I have worn a lot of black lately.
All of it was discovered when I went through everything for the move and I did hang on to just a few pieces.
I also discovered old jewelry like this necklace I purchased over 10 years ago from a deep South Texas jewelry designer who was at a trade show for women.
I chose to wear this Clara Sun Woo vest this day for the pockets!
When I am shopping stores like this, I like to have the additional pocket space for my phone since I am taking a lot of pictures and also carefully looking items over.
Remember, right now, you can save 20% at CLARA SUNWOO with my savings code PAM50.
I am also wearing a TALBOTS RUCHED SCOOP NECK TEE.
The ruched design does give a nicer fit as opposed to the more boxy fit of a regular tee…and I love this brown.
These Talbots pants are my very favorite right now and I realize you see me in them often…I highly recommend these pants.
This is the OUT & ABOUT SEAMED BOOTCUT PANT in the T by Talbots collection…they do keep me out and about. They also come in navy.
Or I could shop Blue Willow for a vintage inspired look!
Thank you for joining me today for Small Business Spotlight: Blue Willow Estate Sales.
If you love this kind of home decor shopping like I do, you must visit this shop….tell the ladies I sent you by.
I will be here tomorrow…and until then…
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
It’s so nice to be able to see the locals in your new community and to hear how you’re helping their businesses just by being there, doing what you do. It seems God is using his “Joy Ambassador” to spread his blessings around Abilene. Maybe you were sent there for more reasons than you realized 🙂
I think you are correct, Cindy. I am rapidly falling in love with this community and the residents.
What a lovely shop! Glad you stopped in and shared with us. Hopefully your posting will bring some new customers. A nice outing for you, you looked great in your outfit. Your necklace is stunning.
Read the reviews on the pants and some mentioned they don’t hold their shape. Did you find that to be true?
I see so many wonderful pieces in this lovely shop! Those silver cups in the last photo… Mmmm. Too bad I’m in Northern Colorado!
Mine have held their shape. I have worn them and washed them often. That has not been my experience. Since they are 50% off today, I ordered the blue pair!
You should call them…perhaps they will make it possible Sharon!
So glad you found Blue Willow and hopefully you ventured in to Vintage Marketplace! My DIL’s mother has a booth there…lots of fun items in every booth. It has become sort of a challenge to see if I can spot you somewhere around town! Hopefully we can get together for lunch after Christmas! Thanks for spreading JOY!
I love that painting of the music gathering, and the huge ceramic vase, . . oh, and that extravagant feathered dress at the end! Beautiful items, and what a fun shop to have in your new town.
It is so much fun! Thanks Connie…I loved that painting as well.
I am going to feature Vintage marketplace later in the week, Merri Lynn.
Let’s make it a priority to meet for lunch after Christmas!
I enjoy combing through resale shops especially if they are clean and well organized. Blue Willow looks like one I would love to shop. I live in an area where these stores are very popular so I visit them to check out whether or not they may have something I want. Right now I’m looking for an outdoor planter with some character. My favorite Talbots pant this year is from the T collection and called the Out and About Straight Leg pant. Love seeing your new town!
Thanks Linda! I love my new town and enjoy showing it to everyone. Shopping this way is so much fun to be…a regular treasure hunt.
Pamela you have really discovered a gem in Blue Willow, I could rush right over! Instead I’m going online to Talbots my fave! We have an antique mall near me in Benbrook and I am now inspired to drop in there too, it is like going to a museum, and my 23 yr old grandson loves digging around there with me. He’s a musician and saw a guitar there which he sat down and played drawing a crowd around him🤣
I got it for him (he was 19 at the time).
Merry Christmas to you and your family🤶
Sandra W
I wish I lived closer and could visit these shops. Through your eyes, Abilene looks like a quaint and lovely town.
What a wonderful story, Sandra. I will share with my guitar-playing Mr. B. This is a shop worth rushing over to see.
I am so excited to discover Abilene in new ways…it is a quaint and lovely town.
What a fun shop. They were not in Abilene when I lived there and somehow I have missed this new store. I must go by there next time I am in town. Vintage Marketplace is one of my favorites. You must check out Living Chic on Walnut street downtown. Fun post!
I will check it out…thanks Jeanine. Blue Willow is right next door to Vintage Marketplace that I will feature later this week.
This shop looks like somewhere I would like to visit if I lived in the area. I loved the wreath with the Blue Willow plates that was around the deer head. Very creative!
Like Sharon K, I live in Colorado but down south in Canon City. Our quant small town was a mining town 100+ years ago on the Arkansas River tucked into the front range mountains. The buildings on Main Street are all very old Victorian style. Before the pandemic we had stores like yours Pam. But most went under and haven’t come back. The St. Cloud Hotel has been renovated and is gorgeous with a bar and restaurant in it. I’m hoping more will take the chance and make a home here. Pam you are so lucky to live in Abilene. It is much larger than ours so the small shops have a chance to succeed.
Oh my, my, my….what a wonderful store; I live in the Michigan and it seems, to me, that everything is mid-century modern and gray….yuck. Nothing like real wood furniture and gorgeous color! I’m envious! You mentioned a cookie jar; I have one on a basement shelf and it’s been there since I moved over 15 years ago. Nice to hear someone else will be using one. My SIL used to come over and stick her hand in there to pull out cookies; always thought that was “cute” plus I made sure it was full, knowing she would be coming for a visit.
They have so much to see and enjoy. Thanks Becky!
Texas is a small business friendly state and did not shut the economy down during COVID. I believe you will see more stores return now…at least I hope that for you.
My goal is to keep something in there most of the time for the kids. We will see how I do. Thanks Margie.
Great shop, I enjoy browsing for ideas and small pieces in similar shops
I love browsing shops like this for ideas. Thanks Audrey!
The wreath with the blue plates is interesting.
I have 25 blue Christmas plates that found their way to my house this past year and I’m trying to figure out what to do with them.
I don’t think I’ll be adorning a stuffed Deer with them, but they do look nice against that greenery so I’ll so what kind of inspiration I can come up with.
Have fun with it, Rose. I hope to hear what you decided to do.
I really enjoy exploring Abilene with you, Pam, as you get to know your new town and especially the woman-owned businesses. I would love to browse the Blue Willow. It looks like such an interesting shop. A similar shop has recently opened in my small town right across the street from my yoga studio. I take an early class so I’ve looked in their windows before they are open for business and it looks intriguing. Based on your visit to the Blue Willow I’m planning on going back into town to step inside and look around. Looking forward to seeing your new treasures, especially the cookie jar.
I hope you go back to explore, Kathie. It is fun and has really inspired me!