Pysanka Making Process

I wanted to share the steps I go through to create a pysanka!

1. I select an egg (I’ve found “small batch” free range to be better, because they have thicker shells), then I draw my design lightly with pencil.
2. I use an electric kistka to melt and dispense beeswax. There are several different tips you can use for the kistka with different aperture sizes. The tip is shaped like a funnel, and when it is heated you can scoop up the wax and begin tracing on the egg.
3. The egg is shown with my first layer of wax, before submerging it in dye. All of the areas covered in wax will be white like the underlying egg.
4. After the first dye application! Dyes should be applied from light to dark in sequential layers. Once I am satisfied with the shade of dye, I then apply more wax to certain areas (in this case, areas I wanted to be yellow in the final product).
5. Added a layer of hot pink over the yellow.
6. After waxing over the areas I wanted to be pink, I added a layer of turqouise dye.
7. When I am finished with dyeing the egg, I melt the wax over a flame to see how the colors turned out. This is my favorite part! It’s kind of like unwrapping a present.
8. I then apply a clear coat of varnish and leave it to dry overnight.
9. The final step is “blowing” the egg. I always take pictures before this step, because you never know if you might break the shell! Using a special tool, I bore small holes at the top and bottom of the egg. Then I squeeze the rubber bulb, which introduces pressure inside the egg and forces the contents out of the bottom hole. I also flush the egg with water at the very end so it is completely empty and clean. Now the pysanka is complete!