CREATION OF PYSANKY

Ukrainian women and men traditionally ask for God's blessing as they sit down to design these elaborate eggs called Pysanky. Because of the many steps necessary to create Pysanky, it takes an experienced artist an average of three days to finish an egg. Giant ostrich eggs require two to three full weeks.

The following is a comprehensive outline of the necessary steps you need to follow in creating Pysanky:

Getting Started

1. Materials: White eggs, kistka (writing tool), beeswax, water soluble dyes, white vinegar, pint size jars with covers, spoons, cotton swabs, toothpicks, candle with candle holder, paper towels, and pencil.

Prepare Dyes & Egg

2. Prepare dyes as directed on each package. Use dyes at room temperature.

3. Select raw, farm-fresh eggs. If washing is necessary, immerse the egg (for two to three minutes) in a solution of one-quart warm water to one tablespoon of white vinegar. Never use soap. Air dry eggs. No hand lotion or cream on hands while handling eggs.

Drawing Basic Design

4. Draw the basic pattern on the white egg with a pencil. These lines are used as guide lines. Never erase pencil marks. Disregard mistakes since pencil marks will not show on the finished product.

To draw straight lines stretch a small rubber band around the egg vertically from "head to tail". Use this as a guide. Use the same technique for horizontal line or diagonal lines.

Draw first with pencil	Make pencil dots in each section. This indicates tip of star point.	Connect dots forming a star. Draw tear drops on tips.

Cover Pencil Lines with Wax

5. If you are using candle flame as a heat source, use the kistka with the plastic handle and steel funnel. Heat the funnel in the flame. When hot, insert a tiny bit of beeswax into the the funnel. Re-heat the kistka momentarily over the candle for three seconds. Test on a piece of paper to remove surplus wax.

6. Begin to write over the pencil lines, keeping the kistka at right angle with the egg. Keep on re-heating the funnel to maintain constant flow of wax. The wax lines, which you have just made, will be white on the finished pysanka. As you work, the beeswax will blacken. Don't worry, this will not affect the color of the egg or the dye.

For best result use an electric stylus. This is a state of the art tool which keeps the wax at a constant temperature and guarantees evenness and thickness of lines.

Dip in Yellow Dye

7. Place egg on spoon and lower it (gently) into the yellow dye. Always start with lightest color and work towards the darkest. The spoon may remain in the dye. When the desired shade is obtained (5 to 15 min.), remove the egg and dry it with a paper towel. Do not rub. Let egg air dry for several minutes.

8. Cover with wax all the details, which are to remain yellow. Draw, "Tear Drops" in the petals of star and fill them with wax. Outline with wax, the "Tear Drops" on tips of star.

9. To apply green or light blue to the design, dip a cotton swab or toothpick in the dye. Apply to the egg. Do not immerse the egg in blue or green since it will ruin the next colors. Let stand for a couple of minutes and pat dry. Cover the green or blue with wax before dipping in the next dye.

Dip in Orange Dye

10. Dip egg into orange dye. Let stand until desired shade is obtained. Remove and pat dry. Let egg air dry for several minutes. Apply wax to the areas which are to be orange. With a kistka, draw with wax, the "Pine Tree" symbol; place a big dot inside star, and cover "Tear Drops" on tips of star.

Dip in Red Dye

11. Dip egg into red dye. Let stand until desired shade is obtained. Remove and pat dry. Let egg air dry for several minutes. Apply wax to the areas, which are to remain red. By now the entire star should be covered with wax.

Dip in Final Color

12. Dip egg into the last color - dark red, dark blue, or preferably black. When desired shade is obtained, remove egg and pat dry. This time, let the egg dry for several hours. You are almost finished decorating the egg.

Removal of Wax

13. Removing the wax is the most exciting step. You can see the beautiful design come to life. Just like a caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly so does the Pysanka emerge in all it's glory. To remove the wax, the old fashioned way, hold the the egg to the side of the candle for a few seconds until the wax starts to melt. With a paper towel wipe away the melted wax, a small portion at a time. Never hold the egg over the flame as it will turn black and discolor the egg. Continue melting and wiping off wax.

To expedite the method, you may choose to place egg on a paper towel in a preheated (180 degrees) oven. Keep door slightly ajar. When the wax begins to melt - wipe clean. If all wax did not melt, place egg in oven again and repeat process.

Varnishing the Pysanka

14. Varnish the egg. For best results, put a small amount of varnish in the palm of your hand and gently roll the egg until covered with a thin coat of varnish or polyurethane (gloss finish). Place on rack to dry. Move egg 3X every hour to prevent sticking to the rack. To remove the varnish from hands, rub with cooking oil and wash with soap and water.

Empty Contents of Egg

15. To preserve your egg indefinitely the egg is emptied of its contents to prevent spoilage. If the yoke and the white are not removed, the egg might literally blow up causing quite a mess and creating a nasty smell. This is accomplished by poking a small hole in both ends with an awl or drill. Blow out the contents. Rinse out the egg in cold water to remove all trace of the egg.

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