Owner of Willowcreek Woodcrafts Michael Brown holds up a bowl he made at Painted Tree Boutiques on Saturday. (Raquel Villatoro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Kelly Ford and her daughter, Jessica Torres, started selling herbs and spices from their business, Thee Olde Apothecary, at First Monday Trade Days in Canton. But their spot inside the newly opened Painted Tree Boutiques vendor market in Tyler is their first permanent location.

“It’s exciting for us to start here and actually have a presence every day,” Ford, of Arp, said Saturday.

Painted Tree Boutiques officially opened Saturday at 8970 S Broadway Ave., Suite 144. The location was formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond.

Throughout Saturday, customers browsed the market’s array of businesses looking at soaps, boutiques, Texas-themed and Christmas-themed items and more more.

“It’s exciting to see small businesses, whether local or not, come together and be able to have a spot … it’s a good thing for small businesses,” Torres said.

Michael Brown, Jacksonville resident and owner of Willowcreek Woodcrafts, heard about Painted Tree Boutiques from a friend. After applying to the Dallas location and being accepted, he learned it also would be opening and Tyler and decided to wait.

Among his merchandise is bowls, handmade pens, pizza cutters and a clock made from cedar. Brown has been a woodmaker for 15 years and said he enjoys making different things.

“I’m looking forward to seeing different people come out and their reactions to it and see what they like and what they don’t like and what I should be making,” he said.

A few years ago, Sandy Hendricks, owner of Perfect Touch by Sandy, started painting again and said she realized she missed it.

“I love it, and I just sit down and I take something, just a piece of paper, whatever, and just create,” Hendricks said.

She said she recently learned about Painted Tree Boutiques and was able to get a spot within 24 hours. At her vendor spot, paintings of flowers, cows and more line the walls. There also is a broken guitar she received from her son, a songwriter. Hendricks painted flowers on it and made it beautiful again.

“You can take something ugly and turn it into something beautiful,” Hendricks said. “It’s the way the Lord works with us. He takes us as we are, and he makes us into something very special. And that’s what I do with my faith.”

Austin resident and 820 Fifth owner Shaunte Williams started making teas because she wanted to help people. After going through her health issues in 2022, she started crafting teas so she would not have to take medication for simple ailments.

“I let family and friends try it out, and slowly but surely they’re like, ‘How can I get some more?’ And so the business was born,” she said.

Williams grew up in Tyler but now lives in Austin. Because of the distance, she has to plan ahead to properly stock her spot at Painted Tree Boutiques.

Initially, 820 Fifth started as a jewelry business. However, Williams realized she wanted to do something to help people. Each of her teas target specific health issues. For example, one helps clear sinuses.

“Every tea is made for a purpose to aid in health and wellness in some way. So they’re original recipes,” Williams said. “I’ve worked on them and they’re crafted in small batches, so it’s never a mass production.”

For information, visit paintedtree.com/stores/tyler-texas/.