In 1909, Ekenstam became the first woman in Sweden to be authorized to work as an artisan in metalwork. In 1913, on returning to Malmö, she established her own workshop creating utensils and jewellery in the Jugendstil in various materials, often combining silver and ivory in her personalized approach. Her ornaments in enamel, silver and ivory were decorated with semi-previous stones. In 1925, she opened the art school Skånska Målarskolen. From 1927, it was operated by the painter Tage Hansson.
