I've been thinking about paisley designs lately, and even created a Treasury on the topic. Yesterday I took a 2 hour class on Ukranian Egg Decorating. Here are some pics of one of the eggs I decorated.
Learning to draw with the little hot wax tool takes some practice, that's for sure. After that, you put the egg in a jar of dye. You can then apply more wax and more dye, but I kept this one simple. Next, we drilled a tiny hole in the bottom of the egg and used a suction device to remmove the inside of the egg, and rinse it with water. Then it went into the microwave oven for 5 seconds. That melts the wax and makes the egg nice and shiny.
Our instructor suggested a website for supplies and further info: Ukranian Gift Shop.
So pretty! My mum has a big collection of the traditional style eggs, most of them gifts my dad would bring pack after business trips to the prairies. I tried making them too but just don't have a steady enough hand. I have a few from twisted poppy on etsy. You should check out her photostream:
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I love pysanky! Your first one turned out very pretty! They are difficult to do, for sure! You've inspired me to visit our local Ukrainian museum. The gift shop is a rainbow of colours! And they sell the most beautiful eggs! (and textiles!)
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, Karen! You were a good student!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I once lived with a family that did this before Easter each year. We used a handmade waxing tool, and rubbed the melted wax off after it had been held over a candle. It was a slow and tedious process and they produced some of the mnost specatular eggs I've ever seen. My drawing abilities were very limited. I had fun and loved doing it too. Yours is so much prettier than mine was. Of course I was just 10 or 11 years old when I did it!
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