The Story Behind Printed Little Things

I know everyone always says to be present in the moment and that we don’t need to capture absolutely everything… but I’ve always loved looking back through my photos.

Photos hold such powerful memories. You wouldn’t think you’d forget some of those moments, but sometimes it’s not until you look back at an image that you’re reminded of a special time in your life. Those memories deserve to be seen and celebrated - not hidden away on a phone.

When I was younger (before digital cameras), I was always taking photos, getting them developed (and hoping they turned out okay!), and placing them into albums or scrapbooks.

When the digital age arrived, my Myspace page was covered in photos of my friends and me. When Facebook launched, I would always max out the photo upload limit for an album (60 photos at the time!).

I remember someone once commenting on one of my albums saying I took photos of “everything.” And honestly… they were right.

Before phones had decent cameras, I carried a digital camera with me everywhere - daytime outings, trips away, even nights out clubbing. I love a good candid photo and didn’t want to miss capturing those moments.

Over the years I’ve collected so many ways to display memories - photo albums, printed photo books, a digital photo frame, walls filled with picture frames instead of artwork. I’ve got printed polaroids, photo magnets, Christmas tree photo decorations… if there’s a way to capture a moment in time, I’ve probably tried it.

I’ve always loved the way photos tell a story. Whether it’s a family holiday, a newborn’s first photo, or a simple everyday moment - those memories deserve more than sitting in a phone camera roll.

The Moment Everything Changed

For years I worked a typical office 9–5 job. I found myself constantly buying photo prints and keepsakes from the big companies, while slowly feeling more and more drained by my office routine.

Then one day, thanks to the magic of social media algorithms, I discovered a magnet maker based in the States. I loved what she was creating and thought to myself, “Maybe one day I could do something like that.”

But like many people do, I pushed that idea aside and continued down the “safe” and “correct” path - working a job with little flexibility where it sometimes felt like the only way to prove you were working was simply by sitting at your desk.

Then life threw something unexpected my way.

One of my closest friends - someone I had known since school - became very sick, and things didn’t look good. It was one of those moments that makes you stop and think about what truly matters.

It made me realise something important:
Life is short, and the future is never guaranteed.

I kept telling myself I would start something one day - when the timing was right, when I had more savings, when life was more settled. But the truth was, I had given myself every excuse imaginable not to start.

So I decided to stop waiting.

Starting Printed Little Things

I began researching what it would take to start a small handmade business. I purchased the equipment I needed to get started - a printer, a magnet press, and all the consumables.

Let me tell you… that part was not easy.

There aren’t many Australian suppliers for magnet machines, and trying to determine the best printer for a startup business felt like a huge task.

Then came building a website, creating social media pages, and trying to establish a digital presence. It was exciting but also incredibly nerve-racking.

There were so many moments where I felt like I was making progress, only to hit another wall and feel like I was back at square one.

I kept thinking my website wasn’t perfect and that I couldn’t launch until everything was just right.

But then I heard someone say something that really stuck with me:

“It doesn’t matter if it’s perfect. It matters that you get started.”

So that’s what I did.

On 26 October 2025, I hit publish on my website and shared the news with my family and friends on social media.

I was honestly terrified. I worried people would think I was crazy.

Maybe some of them still do! But they were also incredibly supportive and encouraging.

My sister-in-law became my very first customer. I don’t think she realises just how excited I was when I got that little notification on my phone telling me I had received an order.

Why Printed Little Things Exists

Printed Little Things was created to help people turn their memories into beautiful keepsakes - something they can proudly display in their homes, workplaces, and everyday spaces.

These little items often become conversation starters. Someone notices the photo and asks about it, and suddenly you’re sharing the story behind that moment.

I love that these keepsakes celebrate both the big milestones and the small everyday memories that make life special.

Another thing I love is that every product is Australian made. They aren’t produced in a large factory - they’re created right here on the Sunshine Coast in my home, usually at the dining room table.

Memories That Matter

Photos connect us to the people we love. Sometimes we’re in the photo, sometimes we’re the one behind the camera, and sometimes it’s someone else’s memory that still holds meaning for us.

But those images have a special ability to bring us back to a moment in time.

Seeing those memories every day helps us hold onto them.

Every order I receive represents a memory that matters to someone, and it truly feels like a privilege to turn those moments into keepsakes.

Imagine Your Memories Like This

Think about the photos sitting on your phone right now.

Maybe it’s a photo of your baby’s first smile, a holiday sunset that still makes you smile, your dog doing something ridiculous, or a group photo with friends that perfectly captures a moment in time.

Now imagine seeing that memory every day - on your fridge, on your workspace, or somewhere in your home where it makes you pause for a second and smile.

That’s what I love about creating these little keepsakes.

We take the photos that usually sit quietly in our camera roll and turn them into something tangible - something you can see, share, and enjoy every day.

Sometimes the smallest things end up being the ones that mean the most. Some of my favourite magnets I’ve made are actually my own memories.

A Heartfelt Thank You

If you’d like to turn your favourite memories into something you can see and enjoy every day, you can explore our range of custom photo magnets, photo badges, and birth announcement magnets, proudly made on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Thank you so much to each and every person who has supported my small business. Your encouragement, kindness, and orders mean more than you know.

My first set of magnets that I was making for family