How to Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs

Ukrainian eggs - or "pysanky" - are made with a process much like batik. The word "pysanky" comes from the Ukrainian word for "write," and that's precisely what you do to make one of these wonderful objects.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pencils
• white, raw eggs
• Cardboard
• Blow Dryers
• Beeswax
• Candles
• Wide Rubber Bands
• White Vinegar
• Tablespoons
• Facial Tissues
• Kistky
• Ukrainian Easter Egg Dyes
• Finishing Nails

1. Allow a white, uncooked egg to reach room temperature.

2. Wipe the egg down with a solution of 1/2 c. water and 1 tsp. vinegar.

3. Dab the egg dry with a tissue.

4. Draw your design on the egg lightly with a pencil.

5. Hold the head of a "kistka" - a copper stylus - over a candle flame for a half-minute or so.

6. Use the heated kistka to scoop up a bit of beeswax.

7. Melt the wax in the kistka over the candle.

8. Draw the melted beeswax over the pencil design for the first color.

9. Put the egg into the lightest color dye for around 15 minutes.

10. Use a tablespoon to fish the egg out of the dye.

11. Dab, don't wipe, the egg dry.

12. Continue waxing and dyeing from lightest to darkest color dyes.

13. Hold the dried egg under a hair dryer to heat the wax. Wipe it off with a tissue when the wax looks wet.

14. Let the egg dry on a stand made from three finishing nails poked up through a piece of cardboard.

Tips & Warnings

• The egg can be emptied once the dyeing is complete. Blow the egg out or use a syringe to suck the insides out.

• Be sure the egg is flawless before you begin. Cracks and bumps will be very apparent when you begin dyeing.

• Use a teaspoon of vinegar in the dye to make the colors bolder.

• Use a wide rubber band wrapped around the egg to help draw a straight line when penciling on the design.

• Boiled eggs spoil. Use only raw eggs.