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Using a Non-Photo Blue Pencil Instead of Standard Graphite for Measuring Out a Design

6/30/2013

I found a penciling tip on www.learnpysanky.com:
"Oksana recommends using a non-repro blue pencil, available at most art shops (and many business supply stores). It stays on well without smudging, and comes off easily in the final stages of cleaning off the wax."

#1 Pilot Color Eno Soft Blue 0.7
#2 Pentel Blue 0.5
#3 Staedtler Non-Photo Blue Pencil

Leads used in each mechanical pencil.

Recommedations
I started with using #3 the Staedtler Non-Photo Blue pencil and recommend having a good pencil sharpener on hand. It does not smudge and is erasable with a white eraser. However I prefer, The Pentel Blue 0.5 is the better lead, longer lasting, harder (rarely breaks) and best of all it's 0.5 my preferred size. The shade of blue is darker than the standard non-repro blue so it requires a lighter touch.

The Pilot Color ENO Soft Blue 0.7 is the perfect shade of blue, but it is much softer (it easily and often breaks) and only comes in a 0.7 size.
So the choice is yours - 0.7 / softer but great colour, or 0.5 / harder and a little dark.

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First Time Teacher Tips: the Dye Table

6/29/2013

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Buy sturdy containers for storing and transporting dyes. The number of dyes used is up to a teacher (start with basic colors).

Label each container with the color of dye.

Write in Permanent Marker the name of the color, on a dollar store white plastic table cloth, then place the jar next to the label.

Layout dyes on the table in order from LIGHT- DARK dyes.

Add bowl of vinegar and water wash both at the head and end of they table.

Layout dyes on the table in order from LIGHT- DARK dyes.

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First Time Teacher Tips: Space Set-Up

6/29/2013

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" When Class Time is Limited to 2-3 Hours Preparation is Essential"

PREPARATION is the most important part of providing a good experience for students.
A clean and organized workspace is always appreciated by the first time pysanky writer.
Providing pre-divided, pre-drawn eggs (with a simple pattern on half of the shell) allows the student to elaborate the pattern, with their own details in pencil, before beginning to wax.
Having a sheet of patterns lends ideas as to how to elaborate on a simple star pattern, for example.
Providing a pre-drawn paper plate is a helpful space to practice on using the wax and kistka, before going onto an egg.
You can click on the images which will open larger, and view the numbered standard supplies that I provide for each beginner.

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Beginner Book-Wax & Feathers, The Art of Sorbian Egg Decorating

6/26/2013

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The tradition of egg decoration in Slavic cultures originated in pagan times. The Sorbians are a Slavic minority who have lived in present day Germany since the sixth century, in eastern Germany.

The oldest decorated eggs were found in the 4th century grave of a young girl near Worms, Germany.
The special thing about Sorbian eggs is that they are made with quills, the patterns are made with quills. The feathers are cut thinly and the most important is the triangle, the 'wolf tooth'. And it is always there to protect us; it always has a protective role. It also is a sign of wisdom. This is a small book of 30 pages, with a much too simple explanation of how to prepare the feathers. A disappointment for me was that the book only had two brief accounts of how to cut feathers, which is the chief method of applying wax in the Sorbian egg process; and the process that I most wanted to learn about. Therefore, the price of about $15.00 needs consideration.

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Eternity Bands-Meanders, Waves, Lines or Ribbons

6/18/2013

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MY ETERNITY BANDS ARE A STANDARD 5mm Wide, on all my chicken and goose eggs.

Eternity Bands and other dividing elements on pysanky are composed of meanders, waves, lines or ribbons. These eternal line motifs are most popular due to an interesting legend: the meander on a pysanka has no beginning and no end and thus an evil spirit, which happens to enter a house and land on the egg, is trapped forever and will never bother the residents again! Meanders symbolize harmony, motion, infinity and immortality. Lines and ribbons represent the thread of life or eternity. Waves stand for wealth, because it was rain that ensured good crops.

Click on image to make larger

3 Part Video Clips on Eternity Bands

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A Great Beginner Book of Drop-Pull Style Patterns !

6/13/2013

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I found an excellent book which has a wonderful selection of Drop-Pull patterns. There are other egg projects, but hundreds of drop-pull patterns.
You can find it cheaper on ebay, but amazon.com also carries it. I bought a used copy as I do with most pysanky books that I buy.

Great Book of Egg Decorating
by Brazia Buttafuoco & Dede Varetto

For some reason, it also lists with the cover image below.

IT ALSO LISTS WITH THIS COVER, SO YOU CAN LOOK FOR EITHER COVER.

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How to Measure a Star Motif

6/10/2013

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Storing Dyes & Dyeing Eggs in Ziploc Baggies

6/8/2013

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VERY LARGE EGGS, such as emu and ostrich or over-sized goose eggs require either special large containers, or they can be dyed in Ziploc plastic bags.
When using the bags for dyeing, stand the dyes in a more sturdy container.

I DON'T RECOMMEND USING BAGS WHEN TEACHING A CLASS-USE STORAGE JARS INSTEAD!

   THIS PHOTO was sent to me by Lorrie Popow, Master Pysanky artist, who stores and dyes all of her eggs in Ziploc bags! Personally, I store my dyes in glass containers, but expect to use this method when writing an ostrich egg later this year.
     BE CERTAIN to test each high quality
1-gallon Ziploc bag for leaks (you can pour a cup of water into it, while holding the bag over the sink). If the bag oesn't leak, empty out the test water, and pour in about 1 1/2 cups of the dye.   Label your bag with the color and dye manufacturer. You should add the date that you mixed the dye, so as to keep track of the age of the each dye.
   ADD THE EGG, removing as much air as possible from the bag, and zip up the seal (double check that you've sealed it all the way). Move the bag around occasionally to insure equal coverage of the dye on all parts of the egg. Then remove it when the desired shade has been reached!   Thanks Lorrie!

ADDITIONAL TIPS from FB Community:      “Shirley says place the bags in a plastic pail so they don’t leak; Jane recommends a plastic shoe container lined with paper towels; So Jeo suggested placing 2-3 baggies into one larger baggie without dyes. This is helpful in keeping the top of the baggies from falling over and letting dyes drip out in case they aren't closed well; Carolyn stores them in plastic shoe boxes. And she says that the gallon sized Ziploc is perfect for ostrich eggs and other large eggs”.

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Using a Non-Photo Blue Pencil Instead of Standard Graphite for Measuring Out a Design

First Time Teacher Tips: the Dye Table

First Time Teacher Tips: Space Set-Up

Beginner Book-Wax & Feathers, The Art of Sorbian Egg Decorating

Eternity Bands-Meanders, Waves, Lines or Ribbons

3 Part Video Clips on Eternity Bands

A Great Beginner Book of Drop-Pull Style Patterns !

How to Measure a Star Motif

Storing Dyes & Dyeing Eggs in Ziploc Baggies

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BLOG-TIPS
by Maggie Tarris Bauer

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3 Part Video Clips on Eternity Bands

Categories

BLOG-TIPSby Maggie Tarris Bauer

Archives

BLOG-TIPS
by Maggie Tarris Bauer