Project designed by Jane Pollak.
Materials:
extra-large white eggs, warmed to room temperature
stylus (kistka) - medium or heavy
newspaper
beeswax
matches
aniline dyes
egg-blowing kit
vinegar
polyurethane
candle
disposable plastic gloves
aluminum foil
drying rack (cardboard and thumb tacks)
paper towels
glass jars
tissues
spoons
Steps:
- Tear off small pieces of beeswax and insert into the well of the stylus.
- Hold wax-filled stylus over candle flame.
- Once wax is molten, draw geometric figures over the surface of the white egg.
- With a spoon, lower the waxed egg into the gold dye. (Mix aniline dyes according to package instructions. Add vinegar to help set the color.)
- Lift the egg out of the dye and blot dry with a paper towel.
- Continue the design by drawing a concentric geometric figure within each of the original designs drawn on the white egg.
- When the inner geometric figures are completed, lower the egg into the scarlet dye for one second, and lift out. The egg will now be orange. Blot the egg dry with a paper towel.
- Connect the inner and outer concentric shapes with a squiggle or free-form design. When this has been completed in each of the shapes, dip the orange egg into the scarlet dye and let it remain there for three minutes.
- Lift the scarlet red egg out of the dye; blot dry and then wax over all of the (negative) spaces between the geometric shapes.
- Lower the scarlet egg into the black-dye jar and allow it to remain there for three minutes or until it is completely black.
- Remove egg from black dye and blot dry. To remove the wax, hold the egg to the side of the candle flame. Allow each area of the egg to get heated and melt.
- Wipe off the melted wax with the tissue. Continue going around the egg until all of the wax is melted off.
- To give the egg a shiny coating, put on a pair of plastic gloves. Dip two fingers into the open can of polyurethane. Pat the palm of the other hand with the liquid, pick up the egg and roll it around in two hands, completely covering the surface with the polyurethane.
- Create a small tripod by sticking three thumbtacks through a piece of cardboard forming a small triangle. Place the egg on top of the thumbtacks. This will allow the air to circulate around the egg. The coated egg will dry in six to eight hours.
- To blow out the egg, make a hole at one end using the drill from the egg-blowing kit or a Dremel tool. Pierce the yolk with a long straight pin or the needle of the egg-blowing tool. Pump air into the egg with the egg-blower or create a second hole and blow the egg out through the other end. To thoroughly dry out the egg, set it in a warm oven for one hour.
Tip: Adults should do the dyeing and de-waxing processes to avoid egg breakage.
Resources stylus, beeswax, aniline dyes, egg-blowing kit - Ukrainian, Surma
Surma
New York, NY
Phone: 212-477-0729
Website:
www.surmastore.com
blackened beeswax sheets and blas-fix egg kit - Hanusey
Hanusey Music & Gifts
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: 215-627-3093
URL:
www.hanuseys.com
Decorating Eggs: Exquisite Designs with Wax & Dye
by Jane Pollak (ISBN: 0806994134)
Click
here to order this title.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website:
www.sterlingpub.comblown eggshells - Mary's Menagerie
All types of egg shells are available including: duck, goose, ostrich etc.
Mary's Menagerie
11810 Oakwood Dr.
Austin, TX 78753
USA
Phone: 512-836-0294
Email:
menageriemarys@aol.com
Guests Jane Pollak
Artist, teacher
book
Decorating Eggs is available from Jane Pollak.
Phone: 203-866-2013
Toll Free Phone: 800-438-9737
Email:
jane@janepollak.com
URL:
www.janepollak.com
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