Elsa Montell began her studies in 1947 at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, specializing in design drawing. Her talent was quickly recognized, and already the following year she won a prize in the Friends of Finnish Handicraft rya rug competition with her work Hiillos.
In the early 1950s, Montell-Saanio actively participated in the art scene of Lapland, including the annual exhibitions in Rovaniemi. At the same time, she worked as a textile designer. In 1955, the textile studio Lapin Raanu was established, where Montell-Saanio was responsible for both management and artistic design. The company quickly gained a strong reputation in Finland as well as internationally.
Montell-Saanio became an important innovator of the raanu textile tradition and a prominent figure in Nordic design. Her early works show traditional striped structures as well as influences from the Skolt Sámi weaving tradition. During the 1960s, her artistic expression developed in a freer direction: compositions became more asymmetrical and the colour palette more daring. Many of her works have titles referring to the nature and seasons of Lapland.
In addition to raanu textile, Montell-Saanio also created individual textile artworks such as rya rugs and tapestries.
Her work also received international recognition. She was awarded a silver medal at the XI Milan Triennale in 1957 for the work Kaamos, as well as a gold medal at the International Textile Exhibition in Sacramento in 1966 for the raanu Yö tunturissa (A night in the fells).

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