For many years, when my peepers were stronger, one of the rituals of spring was to color Easter eggs. Now in my younger days that meant dipping them in pastel dyes. However, following a wonderful trip to Poland, I developed a deep appreciation for the art of pysanki (depending on your nationality, that could be spelled many ways). In Poland we learned how to do it with a straight pin inserted into a pencil eraser and then dipping it in wax to bring the design to the eggs. Those had a more primitive look to them. Later I took a course at our local high school and learned a more Ukrainian way which is with a stylus with a cone shaped receptacle which you fill with beeswax, heat over an open candle, and then put the designs on your eggs. This involves several dippings in permanent dyes, as well as wax applications. In the end, the wax is melted off and the designs you see here are what remain. You have to have a steady hand and good eyes.
I have not done it for quite a few years, but I still enjoy looking at my eggs. Many of these eggs are now over 20 years old. When you shake them, they rattle as the innards have all dried up.
I actually used to teach my sixth graders how to do these eggs. Yep....back in the days when we could have each child with an open flame candle and not have to worry about them burning each other or the school up in the process. Just recently I ran into the mother of a forner student (the student is now in her 30's or 40's...I lose track) and she remarked that the eggs the daughter made are still enjoyed each year at Easter.
Anyhoooo...these eggs say EASTER to me, and that is why I shared them with you today!! I hope you enjoy gazing upon my eggs. I was by no means an expert, but each of these were created with love!! (The larger egg you see in the little basket is a goose egg......the only to survive a terribly booming and stinking egg disaster....but I will save that for some other day....just thinking about that day brings the smell/stink back to my nose....and that ain't a good thing!!!)
14 comments:
Wow such BEAUTIFUL eggs. Happy Easter.
these are so stunning Joanne, no wonder you like looking at them. Happy Easter!
What a treasure to have for Easter! It's hard to imagine the time spent to create just one of these beautiful eggs! TFS and do have a very Happy Easter!
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU TOO!!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!!! These eggs look awesome!!! Hugs ~S~
You have just brought back a WONDERFUL memory for me! I had a teacher in elementary school who made these eggs and she taught myself and my mom how to make them too! These are SO gorgeous Joanne!! Hope you had a wonderful Easter!!
Holy cow, you made those?? Wow, crafty and talented in so many ways. They are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing them.
holy moly!!!!!!!!!!! Joanne...they are stunning! Cannot believe you made all of those (well, i can but still......)
They are beautiful. I would leave them out all year!
wow! These are amazing!!!!! I love them and teh story behind them
:)
These eggs are out of this world, Joanne! I saw a tv show where someone did this and I thought there were beautiful. You did an absolutely amazing job on these.
These are incredibly gorgeous Joanne, you can't make me believe this doesn't require some artistic skill...they look so professional too!!
Thank you so much for the beautiful card...it came at a great time and I am sitting it near my desk to enjoy!!
Oh wowww, I've never seen eggs like this...they're awesome!!
OMG, Joanne...your eggs are absolutely gorgeous!!!! You will hafta do a little tutorial on this technique...I would love to know how to make such beautiful art!!! Pleeeeaaassseeee!!!!
LOVE these works of ART Joanne!! What treasures!!!!
Thanks for the link to your beautiful artwork, Joanne! Wonderful works of art!!!
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