Alright, let’s talk about this here blue willow tea set thing. I ain’t no fancy expert, mind you, but I know a thing or two about what folks like, and what lasts.

First off, what is it? Well, it’s a bunch of matchin’ cups and saucers, a teapot, maybe a sugar thingy and a creamer, all for servin’ tea. Sometimes coffee too, if you ain’t too picky. They got this purdy blue picture on ’em, a whole scene with houses and trees and a little bridge. Folks call it the blue willow pattern. It’s been around forever, seems like. My grandma had somethin’ similar, so you know it’s gotta be good.

Now, if you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ one, or maybe sellin’ one you already got, there’s a few things to think about. First thing is, how old is it? That’s what really matters, see? Them old, old ones, the ones made a long, long time ago, them’s the ones worth somethin’. Like, 200 years old or somethin’. Them newer ones, they ain’t worth much. They make ‘em even today, so don’t go thinkin’ your brand-new set is gonna make you rich.

And how do you tell how old it is? Well, that’s the tricky part. You gotta look real close. Sometimes, there’s a little mark on the bottom, a hallmark they call it. That can tell you who made it and when, maybe. But sometimes them marks is worn off, or they ain’t there at all. Then you gotta look at the way it’s made, the feel of it. Them old ones, they feel different, you know? Heavier, maybe. And the blue, it’s a different kinda blue, not so bright and shiny like the new ones.

• Look for a mark on the bottom
• Feel the weight – older ones are heavier
• Check the color of the blue – older ones have a softer blue

Now, where can you get these tea sets? Shoot, all over the place! You can find ‘em at fancy stores, online, even at yard sales sometimes, if you’re lucky. There’s this place, I think it’s called “Wayfair”? They got a whole bunch, and they even bring it right to your door, which is mighty convenient if you ain’t got a car or your legs are givin’ you trouble. And there’s others too, sellin’ all kinds of tea stuff. Little pots, big pots, cups, saucers, the whole shebang. You can get somethin’ fancy, made of that bone china stuff, or somethin’ simple, just for everyday use. It all depends on what you want and how much you wanna spend.

And what about the size? Well, they come in all sizes too. Some cups are tiny, just enough for a little sip. Others are big enough to hold a whole pot of tea, practically. I like the ones that hold just enough, you know? Not too much, not too little. And the pot, it should be big enough to fill a couple of cups, at least. Nobody wants to be gettin’ up and down to make more tea all the time.

Some folks say these blue willow tea sets are for special occasions, like afternoon tea or somethin’. But I say, why not use ’em every day? Life’s too short to be savin’ your good stuff for some fancy day that might never come. If you got a purdy tea set, use it! Enjoy it! Drink your tea out of it, even if it’s just plain old Lipton. It’ll make you feel a little bit fancier, even if you’re just sittin’ at your kitchen table in your old housecoat. And if you have guests, well, they’ll be impressed, won’t they?

So, there you have it, my two cents on blue willow tea sets. They’re purdy, they’re useful, and if you find an old one, it might even be worth somethin’. But mostly, they’re just a nice way to enjoy a cup of tea, and that’s good enough for me. And remember, it don’t matter if it’s a fancy bone china one or a plain old porcelain one, it’s the tea and the company that matters most. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go put the kettle on.

Now you might be wonderin’, what kinda tea do you put in a blue willow tea set? Well, that’s up to you, ain’t it? Some folks like that fancy oolong tea, or that green tea that tastes like grass. Me? I like good old black tea, strong enough to stand a spoon in. But whatever you like, just make sure it’s hot and fresh. And don’t forget to warm the pot first, that’s the secret to a good cup of tea. Just swirl a little hot water around in it before you put the tea in.

And another thing, don’t go puttin’ your tea set in the dishwasher! Them old ones, especially, they can’t take it. Hand wash ’em gentle, with warm soapy water, and dry ‘em good. That way, they’ll last longer and stay purdy. And if you’re gonna store ‘em away, wrap ‘em up good in some soft cloth or paper, so they don’t get chipped or scratched.

So, there you have it. Everything I know about blue willow tea sets. Hope it helps you out, and if you ever come by my place, I’ll make you a cup of tea, I surely will.