B usiness
IN TOUCH
CHRISTOPHER HARRIS I CJ
Fabric artist Jade Ellis works on a mask to help with the fight against the novel coronavirus that has swept
the globe.
Somerset fabric artist turning talents toward
making masks in fight against COVID-19
BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS
J
COMMONWEALTH JOURNAL
ade Ellis is all about A
Bazaar Universe.
Sometimes, however, the
universe is just a little too
bizarre.
Ellis, of Somerset, is co-proprietor
of the unique clothing company
which does business by setting
up shop at various festivals and
events around the country and
offering the curious a chance to
M ay 2020
pick out a piece of wearable art.
Along with her business partner
Delia Williams, Ellis and A Bazaar
Universe creates vivid pieces such
as hoodies, arm-warmers, jackets,
shirts, dresses and more, recycling
vintage and existing materials for
a sustainable new purpose. The
two women search thrift shops and
other sources to find textiles which
they then snip, swap, and combine
to make an original creation.
As Ellis herself puts it, she’s an
“abstract fabric artist ... I make what
I’m inspired to make.”
Unfortunately, 2020 has not
been the typical year for A Bazaar
Universe (www.abazaaruniverse.
com). The shows which Ellis
normally made a routine stop on
the circuit have been shuttered
this year because of the situation
surrounding the COVID-19 virus.
“I saw it coming from the
west coast,” she said, noting
that festivals were announcing
cancellations or postponements out
there before that reality hit this part
of the country.
I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky • 27