MADE BY HAND are designer lamps 'Made by hand'
In a local workshop, Kresten Berg is turning a workshop lamp - at the lathe he works with a steady hand while iron filings fly around the lamp. The shaft of the tool he uses is of course turned by himself. It therefore fits his hands and the way he works perfectly. Kresten has more than 50 years of experience as a metal printer, where he has been employed by Louis Poulsen, among others. This is where he first turned a workshop lamp, so it's exciting for him to make the workshop lamp again.
The handmade lampshades are slightly uneven - every time Kresten starts and stops his work, there is a small bulge or bump that is visible when you look across the surface of the lamp. It is therefore not straight, as if it had been made on a machine. His work reflects a proud Scandinavian tradition of craftsmanship, where everything is made by hand and of high quality. A craft tradition based on the values, experiences and techniques of previous generations - practiced and learned over many centuries.
)
From workshop pendant to design brand
Based on the well-known Workshop Pendant, Made By Hand was founded in 2014. The Danish design brand celebrates good Scandinavian craftsmanship based on knowledge that has survived from generation to generation. With a love for natural materials, craftsmanship and long-lasting quality, they create personal designs with beautiful details.
Made By Hand has also drawn inspiration from the classic lampmaking techniques used to create shades between the 1920s and 1930s. The hugely charming and unique RO uses an old Danish screen technique of wrapping yarn around a shape to refract light. The RO shade is made of jute yarn that hides a brass reflector that allows light to easily and softly escape the elegant jute yarn threads.
When shades weren't made of yarn, they were often made of glass: mouth-blown glass, just like the elegant PePo pendant from Made by Hand. The fun, soft and cozy shape is inspired by pumpkins, and Made by Hand has even added a small stem on top of the lamp. The pendant pays homage to classic glass art - but in a soft shape not typically seen with glass shades.
Another craft tradition that has inspired Made By Hand is knitting. Their Knit Wit series consists of a skeleton of thin rods covered with a thin knitted screen. The lamp's light source is hidden inside the shade, so the light shines through the pattern in the shade. This creates 360 degrees of soft and atmospheric lighting in the room. The knitted lamp was nominated for a 'Design Award' in 2017 in the 'Lamp of the Year' category and in 2018 helped to create a cozy atmosphere in the studio of the evening show on DR1.
Made By Hand is a great example of how long-standing traditions can be combined with innovation and creativity. We need skilled craftsmen like Kresten to put ideas into practice. In an age where there is a strong focus on academic ability, it's important not to forget the value of craftsmanship. In addition to lamps, Made By Hand has expanded their range to individual pieces of furniture, where traditional craftsmanship traditions also shine through. Robust materials, Scandinavian design and high quality are evident across all their products.