Easter is almost here, so it's time to decorate your favorite eggs to celebrate the arrival of spring and beauty of the season. Today, we will take you through the steps to make your own Pysanky-inspired eggs, and this age-old egg decorating method. Please note that this activity is not quick and should be done with either older kids or parental guidance.
What are Ukrainian Pysanky eggs?
Ukrainian Pysanky eggs are eggs that are decorated using a written wax method, egg dye, and often display traditional Ukrainian motifs. In our Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating Kit, discover not only how to make these wonderful eggs, but learn the meaning of designs, symbols, and colors as well.
Gather Your Supplies:
These are the tools we used to make your own Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs:
- Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating Kit
- White eggs
- White vinegar
- Pencil
- Candle
- Paper towels
- Egg blower
Create Your Own Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs:
Step 1:
In order to get the best designs, start by getting white eggs and washing them gently with a water and white vinegar solution. Let the eggs dry completely. You can either use your egg blower at this stage, or at the very end. If you wish to blow your eggs at this stage, let them dry completely before starting to dye.
Step 2:
Begin by mixing all the colors you would like to use for your egg decorating, make sure the dyes are completely cooled before use.
Step 3:
On your clean egg, use a pencil to gently mark out the design you would like to create. You can use traditional Ukrainian egg patterns or come up with your own! Using the Kistka (a toll for applying wax that is included in the kit), begin applying the wax to the egg where you would like the pattern to remain white.
The wax acts as a seal to prevent the dye from staining wherever you put the wax - so make sure you only apply wax where you want dye NOT to go.
Step 4:
Using your LIGHTEST color dye first (yellow in most cases), dip your egg in the dye and make sure it is fully submerged. Allow to sit for at least a minute or two before taking out.
Step 5:
Once you take your egg out of the dye, gently pat dry with a paper towel - do not rub the surface as that will remove some dye. Let sit for a minute until completely dry before applying the next layer of wax.
Step 6:
Once dry, apply your next layer of wax where you would like your egg to remain yellow, and dip into your next color of choice (we did green - see below).
Step 7:
Continue this method with your various colors and wax patterns.
Step 8:
Once you get to your last and darkest color, your egg will be quite dark and filled with wax. Let your Pysanky egg dry completely before continuing with the next step.
Step 9:
Now, very gently begin melting the wax. In order to do this, hold your egg against the side of the flame and once the wax begins to melt gently wipe off with a tissue. You will have to work in small parts, and it can be time consuming depending on how much wax is on your egg, but as soon as you see the magic of the color underneath - it's worth it!
Step 10:
Once the wax is fully removed you can varnish or seal your egg to preserve the beautiful dye! Please note that because you need to be working with raw or hollow eggs, they can be fragile, so if dropped your egg will crack (see below for one of ours that dropped during decorating).
If you did not use your egg blower on step one, now would be the time to use it. Once your egg is completely dry, use your egg blower to remove the inside of the egg, to make sure you can use your egg year after year.
Step 11:
Now that your egg is done, admire your work and have fun gifting them to friends and family.
Step 12:
Your Pysanky eggs are perfect to place on your nature table, celebration rings, and in your home for a touch of spring decor and beauty!
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