How to Make Faberge Eggs for Children

Faux Faberge eggs make ideal keepsake gifts for children.

Faberge eggs, a tradition which started in 1885 in Russia, are a special type of art in which eggs are elaborately decorated for the royalty of Russia. Peter Faberge, a jeweler, was commissioned to create a decorated Easter egg, which housed or displayed various gemstones such as rubies, diamonds or emeralds. Create a Faberge-style egg as a keepsake item for children. Use the eggs as decorations for a room, or ornaments on a tree. House the Faberge-styled eggs in a lined display box to protect them from damage.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Metal skewer with a pointed end
• Small needled syringe
• Water
• Glossy spray lacquer
• Glossy acrylic spray paint
• Scissors
• Family photographs
• Old magazines
• Decoupage glue
• Super glue
• Beads, ribbon, glitter and sequins
• Tweezers
• Egg cup or decorative lined box

Instructions

1. Clean the egg. Smooth rough bumps and edges off the egg with fine-grit sandpaper. Run the sandpaper over the egg sparingly to avoid breaking the egg wall.

2. Remove the egg innards. Poke a hole with the sharp end of a metal skewer at the top and bottom of the egg. Make the hole large enough to fit the skewer. Insert a syringe in the hole of the egg to draw out the yolk and white of the egg. Remove all inside material from the egg with the syringe. Fill the syringe with water and inject into the egg. Thoroughly rinse out the egg with water. Let the egg dry for several hours.

3. Thread the skewer through the egg. Carefully spray a thin coat of glossy lacquer to coat the egg. Allow the coat to dry and repeat the process. Spray three or four coats of the enamel for a smooth finish.

4. Paint the egg. Use a glossy acrylic spray paint in the child's favorite color and thoroughly coat the egg. Allow the paint to dry. Spray paint multiple coats for a solid color effect. Leave only one coat of paint on the egg for a light hue of the color. Let each coat dry before painting another coat.

5. Embellish the Faberge egg. Cut out small pictures of family members, friends and hobbies your child enjoys and loves. Arrange according to taste on the eggs surface and attach with decoupage glue. Use super glue to attach beads, bows, glitter or sequins to the eggs surface. Work with a pair of tweezers to place small items in an intricate pattern. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.

6. Glue a ribbon into a loop to hang the egg as a decoration or place in a lined box as a gift for your child. Alternatively, display the egg in a silver or glass egg cup for your child to admire.

Tips & Warnings

• Position the metal skewer over a bowl or wide-mouthed container when letting the lacquer, paint or glue dry on the egg.

• Plan the pattern of beads or other decorative element before attaching to the egg to avoid damaging the design.

• Work in a well-ventilated area when spraying paint to avoid inhalation.

References

• Martha Stewart: Faberge Egg Ornaments
• Faberge Eggs: Your Basic Home Made Decorated Egg
• Faberge Eggs: Mementos of a Doomed Dynasty
• "The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR"; Susan Bauer, Charlie Park; 2005

Resources

• International Egg Art Guild