How to Do Pysanky Eggs
Pysanky is the Ukrainian tradition of making intricately detailed and ornamental Easter eggs, although many people make them throughout the year. Pysanky dates back thousands of years and gets its name from the Ukrainian word "pysaty," meaning "to write." Crafters use a writing tool called a stylus to draw patterns on the eggs with wax before dying them. The dye will not penetrate the wax, so the portions underneath remain uncolored. The wax and dye process is repeated several times with various colors before melting and removing the wax to reveal a multicolored egg. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pysanky beginner star design
- White, uncooked eggs at room temperature
- Ukrainian Easter egg dye
- Stylus
- Beeswax
- Candles
- Matches or lighter
- Newspaper
- Spoons
- Pencil
- Tissues
- Thick rubber band
- Varnish
- Drying rack
Instructions
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Ukranians have perfected the art of Pysanky, which dates back two thousand years. Cover your work area with newspapers to protect the surface from wax and dye. Using the Pysanky beginner star design as a guide, lightly draw a line around the longest part of the egg with a pencil. Make sure the beginning of the line connects with the end -- use the edge of the rubber band to keep the line straight.
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2
Draw a second connecting line around the middle of the egg to make eight parts -- four on the front and four on the back. Divide it into 16 sections by drawing two diagonal lines all around the egg, intersecting in the middle. Make two large diagonal crosses on both sides of the egg and pencil in lines to form a star.
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3
Light the candle and heat the head of the stylus in the flame for 20 to 30 seconds. Scoop a small amount of beeswax into the funnel of the stylus and melt it in the candle flame. Test the wax flow on the newspaper to ensure there are no clogs before applying the wax with long strokes to the star portion of the design on your egg.
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4
Use a spoon to place the egg in the orange dye for at least 15 minutes and no more than 45. Remove the egg and gently pat it dry with a tissue.
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5
Use the stylus to draw horizontal lines in the center of the star. Draw vertical lines across the horizontal ones to make small squares. Dip the egg into red dye for 15 to 45 minutes. Remove the egg and pat it dry.
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6
Apply wax to the eight points of the star and dip it into the black dye for 15 minutes. Remove the egg from the dye and dab it dry.
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7
Light a candle and hold the egg near the side of the flame to melt the wax. When the wax has a wet appearance, wipe it with a tissue. Continue to melt and wipe the egg, using fresh tissues to prevent wax from getting on the egg.
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8
Test a small surface of the dry egg with varnish to ensure the colors do not run. If the colors remain intact, apply a thin layer of varnish to the egg with your fingers. Place on the drying rack to dry.
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9
Display the completed pysanky in small containers, such as egg cups, shot glasses or baskets. Store the eggs in well-ventilated areas to prevent gas build-up -- do not store in Styrofoam containers or the eggs may burst. Place them in paper containers for best preservation.
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Tips & Warnings
Find free designs ranging from beginner to advanced on the Internet and in books.
If you have trouble melting the wax away with the candle flame, try other methods. Put the egg on the drying rack and use a hair dryer to remove the wax. Wipe with a tissue. You may also heat the eggs in a 250 F oven. When the wax softens, wipe it away with tissues.
Be careful with matches, lighters, candles and ovens. Supervise children at all times.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
