Recently, we had the pleasure of creating some incredible custom tees for Mac at Wonky Labrador, and we're absolutely thrilled with how they turned out!
Mac, the passionate owner of this micro-bar, has 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. After falling in love with Sheffield, he knew it was the perfect place to realise his dream of opening a bar. The Wonky Labrador, inspired by his time in New Zealand, is named after his beloved childhood dog, Meg. In an interview with Exposed magazine, Mac shared, “She was the sweetest dog. You could be in the garden, and she would come out to let you lay on her and be your pillow. She loved food as much as she loved people, and she really loved people! She was The Wonky Labrador!”
Mac's bar is more than just a place to enjoy a drink. He has a passion for community meaning it's a welcoming space for all, including the LGBTQ+ community and furry friends. It’s a space to nurture relationships and friendships alike. His personal experience with coeliac disease has also made him keen on offering gluten-free drinks.
Having faced significant personal challenges, including the loss of two family members in a short period, Mac has been open about his mental health struggles. His bar is a sanctuary where people can openly discuss their mental health and heal together. On Mondays, Mac hosts mental health evenings, fostering a supportive and creative community where people can break down barriers and connect. He also offers plenty of low to no alcohol drinks.
To bring his vision to life, Mac enlisted the help of his friend and Sheffield artist, Harriet Lucy Designs. Harriet’s stunning murals now grace the walls of the Wonky Labrador, and she also designed the beautiful artwork that we turned into t-shirts. Harriet’s creativity and eye for design have been instrumental in shaping the bar’s unique branding.
Harriet, who studied illustration in Sheffield, is inspired by the city's architecture and green spaces, and loves all things creative, alternative & outrageous. She specialises in fine line illustrations, indoor murals, and fashion styling & design. Harriet’s work is also deeply tied to her passion for social causes. She says, “My goal is to tie each of my art collections to a different cause that I care about. I aim to donate a portion of my sales to different charities and raise awareness for them along the way.”
These t-shirts were a delight to print and we've loved being a part of the wonky lab journey, from the ink mixing to seeing them in the bar, we love how these tees turned out! We are split within the team whether we prefer the blue or yellow! Thanks to Mac and Harriet for being such a pleasure to work with and supporting our ethical, eco friendly sustainable processes and supportive employment programme.
Printing these t-shirts for Wonky Labrador has been a delightful experience for us at Printed by Us. From mixing the inks to seeing the final product at the bar, we love how these tees turned out! Our team is still debating whether the blue or yellow version is our favourite! A big thank you to Mac and Harriet for being such wonderful collaborators and for supporting our ethical, eco-friendly, sustainable processes and employment program.
Check out the link below to see the printing process and the final results…
https://www.instagram.com/printedbyus/
*References
https://harrietlucydesigns.com/