However, it was difficult to make runestones, and in order to master it one also needed to be a stonemason. During the 11th century, when most runestones were raised, there were a few professional runemasters. Balle was active in the later 11th century and his work is representative of the Urnes runestone style.
It was hard to produce runestones, and one needed expertise as a stoneworker to become proficient in it. During the 11th century, when most of these monuments were erected, there existed only a few skilled rune carvers. Balle's work from this era exemplified the Urnes style.