Did LUprints actually get started for Slow Food Cycle’s totes back in 2006?
Yes, Lisa Komuro [of Sumire Design] and I had met earlier that year and became instant friends. We wanted to combine our skills and collaborate on a fun project and the Slow Food Cycle inspired us to print tote bags (Lisa designed the print, I printed them) and sell, with proceeds split between SFC & Pemby Arts Council. Just before the event Lisa and I were inspired to also print some fun kitchen linens; teatowels, oven mitts, placemats, and shirts, and sell at the cycle as well as Feast of Fields at Sturdy’s farm. The items were a hit, and throughout the following winter we grew the line into LUprints Home Textiles and hit the Whistler Farmer’s market the next summer. That fall, Lisa and Chris started the wheels turning on Mount Currie Coffee Co. (as well as Lisa’s web design business getting very busy), so Lisa retired from LUprints and I continued on, attending tradeshows, opening an online store, and starting a wholesale relationship with a number of stores across Canada.
