Grasshopper Design is a new New Zealand business founded by Karolina Nilsson. The business is based in Turua on the Hauraki Plains, just a bit south of Thames. You will find a range of high quality designed and handmade products such as hand painted shoes, sun hats, t-shirts and one-off pieces of furniture.
Karolina Nilsson is born in Sweden, and have since then traveled for many years. In 2006 she found her home in the beautiful country of New Zealand, and have enjoyed living here and sharing experiences with people close to her heart. Creating and making things has been her great passion as long as she can remember. Since she was very young most of her pocket money was spent on material for some new creative project or other. In 2007-2008 she completed an art and design course in Sweden. She’s had the opportunity to experiment with a wide range of different techniques and materials, and likes to incorporate different styles and give birth to something unique with personality. The environment is important to take into consideration so therefore Grasshopper Design uses natural and recycled material as part of the products, and always with quality in mind.
NOTE: I try to make the pictures look as close to reality as possible, though it is difficult sometimes. Some colours may be slightly different in reality.
I met Karolina last week at the Thames Saturday morning market – and ordered a pair of baby sneakers from her, in the same design as smaller ones on her stall. They are a soft grey, with a handpainted unfolding fern design up one side and along the front – in a lively green. At the back is “NZ” . Karolina delivered them to my letterbox 2 days later, and they are just beautiful. Also – practical (they can be washed) and flexible and soft for little feet. And only $15.00. Amazing value.
PS. I am not related to Karolina!
Thank you Mag. That’s very kind words. I’m glad you like the baby shoes and I hope they will be appreciated by your grandson as well.
Hei Karolina
I have been looking at your homepage and I am delighted, so many nice things you make. I´m interested in the shoes you paint and I will come back to you. The buckle to the shawl is also a great thing.
Many regards from Ingrid in Sweden
Hi Ingrid. Thank you very much. Let me know anytime you want anything and i’ll make it for you.
kIA ORA Carolina,
it was a pleasure to have met you & to do raranga with our kete gang group ,the backpack you made was absolutely beautiful,especially being your first one,it so typifies you,after seeing your webpage,I love the white adult shoes with the picture on the side,what size do they come in?or what is the largest size.?
Hope you can join us in whitianga,when the next raranga is held.
blessings
bess
Hi Bess.
It was a very nice weekend and nice to meet you too. I learnt so much and I really like my backpack.
The white shoes comes in sizes women’s 8 to men’s 13 i think. They are in European sizes 38-48. I’m glad you like them. Let me know if you want a pair.
Hope to see you in Whitianga. K