How to Dye Crushed Shell
Eggs have a long history in the art world. From egg tempura paint to mosaics, artists have utilized eggs in their artwork in ways that many people never realize. Artists use dyed crushed eggshells in everything from pictures to elaborate mosaics. Whether you are a novice artist or an established artist looking for a new medium, spending a few minutes dying eggshells creates a new art opportunity.
Things You'll Need
- Liquid soap
- Paper towels
- Large tray
- Rolling pin
- Newspaper
- Cups
- Vinegar
- Food coloring
- Spoons
- Plates
Instructions
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1
Thoroughly wash the egg shells. Pour a drop of liquid dish soap inside the eggshell. Gently wipe your finger over the inside of the shell. Rinse the shell with warm water.
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2
Place the cleaned eggshells in a large, shallow tray. Roll over the shells with a rolling pin. Apply gentle pressure while rolling. Roll over the eggshells until the shells break into a variety of sizes. Set the rolling pin aside.
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3
Cover a large, flat surface with newspaper. Place plastic cups on top of the newspaper. Use enough cups for a variety of colors.
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4
Put 1 tablespoon of vinegar in each cup. Squeeze food coloring into each cup. Use as little or as much food coloring as desired. Mix colors by applying more than one drop of food coloring to a cup.
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5
Stir each cup with a stir stick. Use one stir stick for every cup. This ensures that unwanted dye is not transferred into another cup.
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6
Scoop crushed eggshells up with a spoon and place into the cups. Leave the eggshells in the cups for at least 10 minutes. Leave in longer for deeper colors.
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7
Remove the eggshells from the cups with a large spoon. Gently scoop up the shells and place them on a plate covered with a paper towel. Place different colored eggshells on different plates. This keeps your colors separate. Let the eggshells completely dry before use.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of using store-bought food coloring, create your own dyes with berries and other things found around the house.
Store your eggshells in plastic containers with a secure lid or in plastic sandwich bags.
Wear gloves during the dying process to prevent stained skin.
Always make sure the food coloring is non-toxic if kids are involved in the project.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
