In the Spring of 1998, while studying Fashion Design at Virginia Comonwealth University, Artina was faced with a dilemma: She had scraps of beautiful fabrics that were too small to form garments with, but too big to waste. For reasons that are unclear, she created small handbags with the remnants. Her roomate borrowed and wore these bags and soon began taking orders. Overwhelmed with her undergraduate studies and life in general, Artina did not immediately realize the potentially profitable venture she had stumbled upon. After several years of praise and encouragement from friends and family who recieved her handmade wares as gifts, MASHULU was officially created.

Based in Hampton, Virginia, each piece is designed, cut, assembled, and embellished by Artina. Following the principle of Functional Stylistic Stitchery, MASHULU bags are made for practical useability as well as design exclusivity since the designs are made in very limited runs, many of them being one-of-a-kind.

The MASHULU style is undefined...these bags are inspired by anything from Tokyo street fashion, to African art, to tatoos just to name a few. Instead of following a particular trend, designs spring from whatever is striking a cord with the designer at the time. This insures that there's a little somethin' for everybody.