Sarah Kaye, with the help of her husband Robert, is the brains behind Little Birdy and Me. 

“It all started with this whole thought process. For years I’ve been the one making things for birthdays and Christmas and baby showers. Making just became a passion of mine,” Kaye said. 

“When I met my partner, now husband, he had the idea of using a laser cutter to make as well.” 

Since officially launching in September 2016, the community has lapped up their works, making everything from personalised Christmas decorations to wedding toppers and awards. But, arguably the most popular products are the Christmas eve boxes. 

The idea of the box is for children to get those “extra special” gifts on the eve of the big day. 

“I know from when I was a kid, that on Christmas Eve, mum would give us new PJs and a Christmas movie to watch. The box is something to open up with those things in it ready for Christmas Eve.”

The idea came from a brainstorming session with Maker’s Nest owner, Bec Miller.

“She said it would be cool to do something for Christmas for the next Maker’s Nest popup and that’s how the Christmas eve box was formed. You can keep it raw or paint it. It’s something that you can keep and it can be re-used.”

The box debuted at the October Maker’s Nest and since then the orders have been rolling in, with the pair making more than 50 since. 

“It’s unbelievable. It’s a great feeling, but there was also that dreaded moment of having to go back to the machine,” she joked.  “I’ve seen a couple of the boxes packed and they’re really lovely. For me, it’s that little extra special treat. We hope to one day, when we have kids, to do the same thing.” 

Kaye said she had been welcomed into the Tasmanian making community. 

“It’s a tight community. There are many different laser cutting businesses in and around the state and we all have that passion,” she said. 

“We’re all just out there to show our creativity and then you have people like Bec [Miller] who can help you do that. I feel we all support each other, we’re all just finding out our own feet and it’s a beautiful community.”

Last month, the pair designed awards for Rural Tasmania.

“There was a photo of the minister Jeremy Rockliff holding the award. His face just says, ‘oh wow’, and my husband and I were like that’s so cool … the minister is touching the award that we made,” Kaye said.  

To contact Little Birdy and Me, visit their Facebook page.