10/05/2026
❤️ Meet the Face Behind Grindstone Graphics & Designs
Some of you have known me for years, some of you may know me simply through Grindstone, and some of you may be brand new to the page. So I thought it was time to properly introduce myself and share a little about the face behind Grindstone Graphics & Designs.
Hi, I’m Lora Sanders.
I’m the owner, creator, designer, printer, embroiderer, message-answerer, problem-solver—and most days, whatever else needs to be done around here. 😂
But there’s a little more behind the name Grindstone than just needing a name for a business.
I was raised on a farm in Northwest Missouri, and one of our farms was known as the Old Grindstone Place. Down in the bottoms was an old windmill, and I can remember sitting there, just taking in the nature and everything around me. It was one of those simple places and memories that sticks with you.
Years later, my parents brought me a windmill head. I knew someday I wanted a shop where I could hang it and somehow incorporate it into my business. I didn't know exactly what that would look like—I just knew it was something I wanted to do.
Fast-forward several years, and my husband and I were headed to Durango and Silverton, Colorado, talking about renaming my business. We threw name after name around, and nothing sounded right. We'd come up with something...then shoot it right back down.
Finally, my husband said,
“What about Grindstone Graphics & Designs?”
And there it was.
Grindstone.
Of course.
It connected where I came from with what I was building.
Today, that windmill head hangs in my shop against barn wood from my grandparents’ barn—the same barn that was hit by a tornado when I was a little girl.
Those pieces aren't there because I wanted my shop to have a certain “look.” They're pieces of my story.
The barn wood and windmill represent where I came from. Grindstone Graphics & Designs represents the next chapter.
And while I may be the face you see behind Grindstone, I've certainly never done it all alone. My husband and family have been there for the crazy ideas, long hours, new equipment, successes, frustrations, “I think I want to try this” moments and everything else that comes with building a small business. ❤️
If you know me, you probably already know that my wheels are always turning. I love creating, learning something new and figuring out how to make an idea work.
Tell me “I have an idea, but I don't know if you can do it...” and you've probably just given me a challenge I can't resist. 😂
That's one of my favorite parts of Grindstone.
I get to take someone's idea—whether it's for a shirt, sign, embroidered piece, award, fundraiser, business, school, church, team, family or something completely outside the box—and help turn it into something real.
And when you message Grindstone, you're talking to me.
I'm usually the one answering your message, helping create your design, ordering what we need, making your item and handing it to you when it's finished.
That's what I love about being a small business. It's personal.
Every order that comes through my shop becomes a small part of what I'm building. Every customer, repeat order, recommendation, Facebook share and “Hey, I sent someone your way” helps write another little piece of this story.
So whether you've supported me for years or you're just finding Grindstone...
Hi, I'm Lora—the face behind Grindstone Graphics & Designs. ❤️
There's a lot of history hanging on that shop wall.
But Grindstone is the next chapter—and every order adds a little more to the story. So, thank you for being a part of our story. We look forward to continuing this story with you all.
— Lora
Owner • Creator • Operator
Grindstone Graphics & Designs
