“The world is your oyster” - William shakespeare

AnjIe, a Chicago native, has a multi-faceted background that mirrors her artwork. She is academically trained in Economics but has always had a strong passion for art, Music and Crafting. Anjie Is An eclectic, free spirit with the balance of an Economist. These experiences have added to her abstract creativity.

Many would say she is well-travelled, having drawn inspiration from her explorations overseas. The most notable and life-changing travel experience she often mentions was in 2011 when her beloved university, Florida A&M University (FAMU) received a grant from a top agricultural company. Anjelica was personally invited by faculty to represent FAMU and participate in an international research project. This trip included stops to Ghana and Kenya. That same year, she received a scholarship to South Africa for three weeks. These two trips opened her eyes and heart to a world of which she had not yet met. Traveling to these three countries inspired her to live abroad after completion of her Bachelor’s Degree. About two years later, she moved to London, UK to eventually complete for her Masters in African Studies majoring in Economic Development.

While abroad, she started collecting Ankara fabric, initially to sew with but instead used to create mixed media art. A fusion of glass, fabric and other materials were mingled into her creations, which she perfected over time. Before starting her art business, Anjelica worked both in the private sector and served her country at the U.S. Federal Government.  In 2017, Anjelica found a studio in Chicago’s emerging art district and in 2019 founded “Atelier du Afrikware, LLC” translating to “Studio of Afrikware” or simply “Studio Afrikware,” inspired from her travels and connections to Africa and the diaspora.

Atelier du Afrikware, LLC is a diverse company and lifestyle brand. Atelier Afrikware or Studio Afrikware, centers Anjie’s life experiences with the environment, people, social constructs and different cultures. Before founding Studio Afrikware, in 2017 “Heart Art by Anjie” was the building block to her company. On Instagram (known as @heartartbyanjie), Anjie posts vlogs of her travels, exploring food ventures, museum and art exhibitions and her simply working in her studio. Other stories that peak her interest surround African-American, continental African and African Diaspora topics of which are important to Anjie. The background on the HOME page of this website, reflects the tangible imagining from Anjie’s artistic gaze.

Since Spring 2020, Anjie decided to develop a pending idea. COVID-19 prompted her to venture into a different aspect of her creativity as it relates to her lifestyle and personal health journey. DETOXX LIFE Products, brings a new approach to small batch, natural products. Health and beauty are distinguished industries and with that, the opportunity for DETOXX Products to grow. Anjie, having traveled to countries like France, Thailand and Ghana, were driving forces in the development of her detoxifying health and beauty products. Our ethos believes in using some of the finest internationally imported natural and organic ingredients. To date, DETOXX Products’ top grossing products are the organic Body Butter and Fruit DETOXX.