Where to Shop Sustainable Eco-Friendly Brands in the Gold Coast

Slow-living sustainable advocate Brigid Avery brings us stories from the Gold Coast on local eco-friendly brands to shop from on your next visit. Particularly, we dive into the story of Kylie Crews, the genius mind behind her brand Little Big Things. And how the locals are making small steps towards a more sustainable world.

From little things big things grow…

These iconic words were the vision and motivation behind Kylie Crews setting up her local Gold Coast business – Little Big Things. And quite literally, from little things, big things can grow. Whether a seed into a seedling, then a tree. Or someone who started selling eco-conscious, reusable and homegrown produce, now stocking a wide range of Australian brands who maintain the same ethos and values.

The gifts and accessories sold by Kylie in her studio are not just sustainable and eco-friendly. They are practical, beautiful and each piece made with love by a variety of Gold Coast and other Australian brands.

Inspiration behind Little Big Things: Embracing Sustainability and Mindful Shopping

So what is in a name? “From Little Things Big Things Grow” happens to be the title of a song. Co-written by Kylie’s favourite Australian artist Paul Kelly and indigenous singer-songwriter Kev Carmody, both are iconic Australian artists. And a huge inspiration for Kylie.

As a self-professed ‘slow-liver’, Kylie has always strived for mindful choices when it comes to environmental impact and ‘shopping local’. So it’s no surprise she is so passionate about this project. I remember years ago Kylie giving beeswax wraps to people as presents. And trying to throw out the rolls of cling film in their kitchen drawers!

Related: 6 Easy Steps Toward Sustainable Living: PS It’s Not That Hard

The eco-friendly collective: collaborating with other sustainable Australian brands

Not only does Little Big Things embrace sustainability and mindful shopping, but Kylie also collaborates with several Australian brands who give back in some way.

Will and Bear make the most stunning wide brimmed hats from 100% Australian wool and plant 10 trees for every hat sold. Salty Aura, founded by a young South Australian couple, use recycled materials to create exquisite travel rugs and donate 10 trees for every rug sold. And other brands simply donate a percentage of sales to a chosen charity.

For me, Drift Candles are a favourite – and they make great gifts for family and friends. The local couple behind this brand hand-pour all their soy candles and the scents are exquisite.

This is such an emerging trend at the moment. Not only are people making conscious decisions about their travels…but also ensuring that the simple act of purchasing products is contributing to a greater good.

Initially occupying a few shelves, Little Big Things now proudly has its own identity at Miami Marketta – a local hotspot in Miami on the Gold Coast. It features local street food vendors, boutique wines, a dedicated gin cocktail bar, a champagne bar, as well as other local Gold Coast designers, all close friends of Kylie’s.

How working with other sustainable brands can educate on conscious production

Kylie explains that supporting local and Australian businesses has been extremely rewarding.  She gets to meet the artist or designer and understand how and why the product has been created. By sharing these beautiful pieces through her studio, it makes her feel like she’s an integral part of the process and overall customer experience.

Reconnecting with the planet: Kyle and her second love, the ocean

When she’s not in the studio working, you’ll likely find Kylie with her second love: the ocean. Having lived on the coast her whole life, Kylie used to fear marine life. But she’s recently overcome this and now starts her every day with an ocean swim or surf. This is a love affair shared with her husband and children too. The power and energy of the ocean is what feeds her soul and kickstarts her day.

The untold reason to visit the Gold Coast: shop local, sustainable, eco-friendly brands run by amazing people

So, if you’re thinking the Gold Coast is all glitz and glamour, surf and sand, think again.

There is a whole other side to this glitter strip just waiting to be discovered. The ability to ‘shop local’ and buy such beautiful pieces, at affordable prices, is wonderful. And you can know that your purchase choices are giving back to the environment or a charitable cause.

Next time you’re on the Gold Coast, be sure to visit Kylie at Little Big Things for some unique treasures.

It’s so important, now more than ever, that we protect our environment, our wildlife and our local communities.

If we all make one sustainable, eco-conscious choice a day, baby steps become a collective stampede in the right direction. And it would make a difference.

People are too quick to say, “What’s the point of me doing it unless everyone else does?” But we all need to remember… from little things, big things grow.

Brigid Avery was a luxury travel advisor for 30 years before the pandemic brought that to a halt. Since then, she’s established a creative business specializing in copywriting and content creation. She is an advocate for slow living and travel, and she is wildly passionate about wildlife and culture. When she’s not writing, you can find her doing photography tours at the most exquisite spots on the Gold Coast in her beloved Kombi, Gypsy-Rose.