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
• Pencils
• Pencils
• white, raw eggs
• Cardboard
• Cardboard
• Blow Dryers
• Beeswax
• Candles
• Candles
• Wide Rubber Bands
• White Vinegar
• 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.

[successb440]

on 3/28/2009 If you are looking for kits, you can purchase them at www.candy-lane.com at a reasonable price, too.You don't have to blow out the insides of the eggs, they dry over time anyway. It's quite risky and gross blowing out the eggs. You could crack the egg.

[polarpaul]

on 12/27/2007 Use a dremel tool with a very fine tip to make the holes in the shell for blowing it out.

on 12/27/2007 I always blow the eggs first. It's a shame to spend all that time decorating an egg, only to crack or break it when you poke the holes for blowing it out. After emptying the egg, put some water in it and temporarily plug the holes with wax. The water keeps the egg submerged in the dye. Remove the wax at the end, and dump out the water.

on 12/27/2007 After you have completed the dyeing process, cover the entire egg with beeswax before piercing it and blowing it out. This is so the the egg's acidity doesn't ruin the dye. Once you have removed the egg's insides, melt off all the wax to reveal your beautiful artwork.