Color Eggs Ukrainian Style

1. Eggs
* Fresh
* Smooth round white eggs without stamps, bumps or cracks.
* Brown eggs can be used, but color will not be as bright as a white egg.

2. Stylus For Applying The Wax
Also referred to as:
* A tjanting - an Eastern writing tool
* A kistka - a Ukrainian writing tool
These can also be used:
* A pin
* A brush

A kistka or tjanting tool has a metal cup with a spout attached to a wooden handle. Wax is held in the cup. By dipping the spout forward slightly, wax will flow onto the egg.

Very find details as well as bold lines can be achieved by using spouts of different sizes.

3. Beeswax

4. Procion Cold Water Dyes

5. Vinegar
* Good for removing grease or dirty spots.

6. Candle or Sterno which is canned cooking fuel

7. Pencil
* Soft lead

8. An egg dipper or spoon
* One for each color

9. Soft cloth and paper towels

10. Oil based varnish

11. Egg blower

You don't have to be a great artist to create beautiful Ukrainian eggs. The designs are not realistic representations of actual objects. The motifs are abstract representations of the actual animal, plant or object. So anyone can draw these motifs.

Between 7,500 to 4,750 years ago Ukraine was the homeland of one of the most ancient civilizations ever found. Vicenty Khvoika, the archeologist made the discovery and named the world culture, the Trypillian Civilization.

Vicenty Khvoika investigated burial mounds in and around the village of Trypillia, south of Kyiv, Ukraine and performed excavations. These sites date from the Bronze and Early Iron Ages. He discovered ancient foundations, a pagan sanctuary and a mass grave of Kyivites who died during the Mongol invasion in 1240 A.D.

Trypillians had around 300 signs and symbols and were only a step away from having their own written language. Through their symbols these ancient people had a rich communication with their gods. Trypillians believed in reincarnation and rebirth, which was the focal point of their civilization.

Ukrainian symbolic art in both design and color is based on Trypillian symbolism and their picture grams. The most oblivious examples are their use of the unending line, the circle, cross, stars, dots, wheat, fir tree, horse, stage, horns and bear paws.

1. What Are You Going To Do With The Egg?
* Leave the egg in the shell and let it decompose naturally.
* Hard boil the egg.
* Blow the egg out of the shell before decorating.
* Blow the egg out of the shell after decorating.

2. Draw your design on the egg with pencil.
Don't erase because this prevents the dye from coloring evenly.

3. Place the egg in a vinegar solution (1 teaspoon in a cup of water). This will remove any oil marks from the egg caused by your fingers.

1. Make sure the egg is completely dry before applying the wax.
* Use a cloth or tissue to dry off the excess moisture.

2. With your tjanting tool apply wax on the lines or areas you want to remain white. Or the base color of the egg if you dyed the egg in a solid color first.

1. Dye the egg in the lightest color first, the yellow.

2. Use an egg dipper or a spoon to hold the egg while you dye it.

3. Keep the egg completely covered in the dye bath until the desired color is reached.

1. Again make sure the egg is completely dry before applying the wax.

2. Using your tjanting tool apply wax over the lines and areas you want to remain the same color.

3. Continue these steps - wax, dye, wax, dye until you have used all the colors.

1. Light a can of sterno or a large candle.

2. Rotate the egg directly on top of the flame until all the wax has melted.

3. Use a thick cloth to catch any excess wax.

4. Wipe well over complete area of egg until all the wax is removed.

The last step is to apply several coats of varnish over the entire egg. If you used a raw egg the varnish will seal off the pores and prevent air getting inside to rot the egg.

When sealed completely the inside of the egg will naturally and gradually decompose without smelling. The varnish will also strengthen the egg shell.

Rotate the position of the egg every so often. This will prevent any gas building up which can cause the egg to explode.

Don't let anyone shake the egg to see if there really is an egg inside. This can cause the egg to explode.

Some eggs become especially fragile over the years after the inside has dried up. To keep them from breaking. Make a small hole at each end of the egg and fill the inside with hot wax.

You will find Olga at: www.eggs-files.com

Ukrainian Easter Eggs and How We Make Them

If you want to make Ukrainian Easter eggs for all your life, you must have this book. Since 1984, it has been a companion. In a delightfull writing, the authors introduce the reader to the culture, the tradition and the craft of the Ukrainian Easter. The book is full of beautiful pictures which are a source of ideas. There are also many drawings of the symbols depicted in the eggs. From page 55 to 59, there are the essential instructions to begin with this art. There are no secret to be learned: just follow the directions. From that simple egg, you will progress every year. There other examples of eggs to be done. Enjoy this very spiritual and healing craft. Enjoy the opportunity to know this distant culture. (And forgive my "bad" English writing...) Eveline Bouteiller, Brazil

Ukrainian Design Book I

The designs are broken down to their simplest form and are very easy to follow. Each egg design is shown from beginning pencil lines to the final dye bath. The symbolism and color meanings are also explained.

Pysanky in the 21st Century

This book is magnificent. The price only seemed steep until I saw it; in reality, it is a bargain. The pictures are breathtakingly beautiful and the explicit step-by-step instructions from a master of the art are priceless. Whether you want to learn pysanky or just admire it at its best, this book is truly indispensable. Mark, New York

Once you've reached a level of proficiency in pysanky making, it is difficult to find resources to take your art to the next level -- and to me, this book was an answer to wishes I didn't even know I had! Mary, Ohio

Fine Tjanting Tool

Procion Cold Water Dyes by Jaquard are concentrated dyes which are permanent, colorfast and washable. You can easily create a palette of brilliant colors ranging from light pastels to deep, vibrant hues. Procion is perfect for all kinds of projects.

Procion Dye Lemon Yellow

Procion Dye Brilliant Orange

Procion Dye Medium Blue

Procion Dye Fire Engine Red

Procion Dye Bright Green

Procion Dye Turquoise

Procion Dye Lilac

Procion Dye Cobalt Blue

Procion Dye Jet Black

Beeswax Blocks Yellow

The wax comes in two 1-lb blocks. The highest quality beeswax at wholesale prices. The beeswax is 100% natural and filtered, cosmetic grade.