| Ukrainian Eggs
click picture to see a larger view |
Ukrainian dyed eggs (pysanky, as they
are called in the Ukraine) are admired the world over for their detailed
designs and delicate beauty. Now you can learn this surprisingly quick method
of using beeswax and colorful dyes to create some of the diminutive works
of art pictured here. These decorated eggs, considered to be symbolic of
a gift of life, make wonderful gifts for cherished friends and exquisite
decorations that can be enjoyed for years.
Materials
- Water-soluble dyes: light green, red, pink and purple or colors of your
choice
- Pint-size widemouthed jars and lids for dyes
- Fresh white raw eggs, at room temperature
- Wax stylus (Kistka)
- Candle in holder
- Beeswax
- Varnish solvent
- Varnish or polyurethane
- White vinegar; thumbtacks; stiff cardboard; tissues or paper towels;
spoons;pencil
 If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!
What you do
Note: Select eggs that are
unblemished and clean. If cleaning is necessary, wash gently (do not rub)
in a solution of I tablespoon white vinegar to 1 quart warm water. (Do not
use soap to clean eggs.) Let eggs air-dry or gently pat dry with tissues.
If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!
What you do
Preparation
Prepare dyes in advance according to manufacturer's instructions so that
dyes can cool to room temperature before being used.
Using a wide mouthed jar for each color will make dipping and dyeing easier.
Make a drying rack for each egg you wish to decorate by pushing 3 thumbtacks
through a piece of stiff cardboard 1/2" to 1" apart to form a triangle. Turn
cardboard over with tack points facing up. The egg will sit on th points
when drying.
Dyeing and Decorating
Place egg on a spoon and lower into light green dye. When desired shade
is obtained (after 5 to 15 minutes), remove egg from dye and pat dry with
tissue.
Using FIG. 1 as a guide, draw design (consisting of vertical, horizontal
and diagonal lines) lightly on egg with pencil. These lines are used as guides
and will not show on completed egg.
Heat the head of the Kistka in the flame of the candle. Then scoop out a
little beeswax into the funnel of the tool by scraping cup of tool on surface
of wax (FIG. 2).
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When creating different color elements
of a design, keep in mind that whatever color dye is covered with wax is
going to appear that color on finished egg. Start by creating the green triangles
of the design: Hold the Kistka in one hand while rotating egg with other
hand. Keeping the Kistka at right (45') angle with egg, follow the pencil
guidelines and fill in triangles, allowing wax to flow evenly (FIG. 3). (Be
patient, this takes practice!)
Reheat the Kistka as you work, being careful not to overheat the tool, because
the wax will drip if the Kistka is too hot. The wax will appear black as
it flows onto egg.
Place egg on a spoon and lower into
the red dye (FIG. 4). (Always start with the lightest colors first when dyeing.)
When desired shade is obtained, remove egg and pat dry with tissue. Do not
rub.
Now fill in with wax whatever lines or areas of the design you want to have
as red (FIG. 5).
Place egg in the pink dye and remove when desired shade is obtained (FIG.
6). Pat dry.
Fill in with wax the areas of the design
you want to have as pink (FIG. 7).
Place egg in the purple dye and remove when desired shade is obtained (FIG.
8). Pat dry
Removing Wax
Hold egg to the side of the candle flame (FIG. 9) and as wax melts wipe it
off with tissues or paper towels. (Wiping will not smear or remove any of
the dye.) Do not hold egg over top of the flame; if you do, the carbon from
the flame will singe the egg and ruin it.
Repeat until all wax is removed. Remove
wax remnants by placing a small amount of varnish solvent on a tissue and
wiping entire egg carefully. Be sure that you do not use solvent near the
candle flame. 12. Varnishing: Place a few drops of varnish or polyurethane
in the palm of your hand and rotate egg until it is coated with a thin layer
of varnish. Place egg on a drying rack to dry (FIG. 10).
Repeat this process if you want a shinier finish on egg. Wipe off hands with
solvent to remove varnish, then wash hands well with soap and water.
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This craft courtesy of
Family Circle Weekend Crafts.
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