Ellen Parham enlisted the help of a number of family members to provide outlets for the wearable art they love to create. The original partnership was called Design on Fabric; Blue Chicory Arts was created when the wares expanded beyond fabric. Ellen explains, "We come from a long line of women who enjoyed making beautiful and useful items." As the business has grown, others have joined in: both daughters, Kathy and Cory Parham, Ellen's sisters, Nancy Jafar and Mary Mercer Triplett, as well as various friends who have helped out from time to time. Ellen even enlisted her husband, Art, to act as cameraman for many of the pictures in the Design Gallery

We paint on fabric... we use permanent fabric paints and natural fibers, primarily silk, to produce scarves, pins, earrings, bolos, vests, blouses, and decorative panels. Each item is an original, painted one at a time. On silk we often use a resist technique to assist us in creating the intricate designs. We frequently take our inspiration from nature, producing both abstract and representational designs. Because Ellen is in the nutrition field, she specializes in food motifs, especially fruits and vegetables. All are bright, cheerful, and radiate with energy. Everything is hand washable.

We draw and paint on thin sheets of plastic to create pins, earrings, magnets, light catchers, and mobiles and our very popular food pyramids. After each original design is drawn and colored by hand, we bake the plastic, causing it to shrink and the color to intensify. The shrinking process has a mind of its own, occasionally producing unexpected curves and shapes--we think that this adds to the uniqueness of the item. After many coats of glaze the outcome has the detail of a photograph and the color depth of enamel work. We use the term shrink enamel to designate everything made with this unique process.

Everything we do is one-of-a-kind so we are delighted to accept commissions to create items in your favorite colors and themes. We ask to have at least a month to produce your special order. If you're not pleased with your purchase, return it for a full refund.