The egg is a symbol of rebirth. With the addition of complex Ukrainian folk designs, the Easter egg becomes a true object of beauty. The art form is called Pysanka, from the verb pysaty, “to write,” as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax and dyes.
When I worked at Lee Wards Craft Store over 40 years ago as a Craft Arts teacher, I got to make Pysanky eggs (pictured here) one Easter. I don’t remember all the details in the process, but it was kinda like batik, but instead of fabric you use a blown out egg shell or on a raw egg. It involves some specialized tools and materials including a kistka (stylist) to hold the beeswax you melt over a candle and use to draw your pattern design on the egg (use a pencil to draw on your egg first). Then it goes into a colored dye wash. By repeating these steps in different colors you build up your finished egg. And then the wax is removed by holding it near the candle and wiping off melted wax with a clean paper towel. Oil-based polyurethane can be used to coat the eggs for protection.
There are patterns available online as well or you can make up your own design. The ones I’m picturing were more traditional folk art from the Ukraine.
This process is rather intricate, but if you like detailed crafts you will like it. Just google pysanky and you will find all kinds of materials to buy and step by step instructions. They are beautiful and last for years. Keep them out of direct sunlight or the dyes might fade some.
