Every Egeværk piece is created in a lengthy process while a ”friendly quarrel” takes place between Mette Bentzen and Lasse Kristensen. Inspiration from nature is first translated through joint sketching. Initial ideas are developed further through exploring the unique beauty of a given piece of wood.
Mette is the primary decision-maker in the beginning of the tangible process of creating the piece. Extremely knowledgeable of the characteristics of different types of wood, Mette makes sure that the construction of the piece supports the creative vision behind the piece. Every fibre of the wood is taken into consideration before a plank is cut into smaller pieces and then carefully assembled. Lasse does most of the hand-shaping.
Even though the process progesses in a linear fashion from inspiration to sketching to construction to handshaping, both makers agree that the real magic does not happen if they do not allow the wood to help shape the finished piece. They also agree that even though they sometimes amiably quarrel in the process, they always speak nicely to the wood.
Lasse (1985) and Mette (1978) are both trained at the esteemed PP Furniture; a Danish joinery since 1953 famous for its large portfolio of modern Danish furniture. The years at PP Furniture made Mette and Lasse true experts in the renowned Wegner pieces. The certificates of completed apprenticeship were in both cases accompanied by silver medals (the highest Danish guild honour of a craftsman; only God is eligible for gold).