| Else Leth Nissen |
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Else Leth Nissen is her own person. She prefers to work alone and runs her business single-handed. She is also very much her own person when it comes to methods and products. From her popular eggcups to her extreme, unique objects with distinctive designs. They stand out from the crowd. For example, she works in many layers, each requiring different treatment before design and colour fall into place. It does not bother Else Leth Nissen that the process is difficult, arduous and slow. As long as the result is OK. She starts her craftwork from scratch. For example, she blows her own glass plates to use as the basis for her pots and dishes. She also very much enjoys working with what is known as the ‘Grail’ technique. A lot of her work is done using the awkward, time-consuming ‘double Grail’ technique, with repeated shaping, melting and blowing – even with two blow-pipes at a time. So, visitors should not expect to be able to look over her shoulder while she works. The workshop is strictly off limits. In the workshop, her concentration takes over. However, you certainly get a sense of the concentration and the process when you arrive at Den Blå Hytte (‘The Blue Cabin’) between Vestermarie and Aakirkeby. The sales area and the workshop are in close proximity, so the atmosphere is almost infectious. Her inspiration is also evident. The most frequently occurring designs are animals and plants. Exotic animals such as elephants and monkeys – and those more close to home, such as frogs and seagulls. She draws them freehand and uses a computer to convert them into actual graphic design, which is then transferred onto her glasswork. The full complement of glassmaker’s tools is in use at Den Blå Hytte. |