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Dye Color Samples

7/20/2017

In this year's 'Goody Bag' 2017, at the Pysanky USA Retreat in Wilkes Barre, Pa., Hazel Keys added a brilliant idea!
My thanks also to Dorothy and Shannon for their elaborations of this clever idea to organize Colorama dyes for helping to chose color schemes. Print out below the color combination PDF...

color_combinations.pdf
File Size:	1541 kb
File Type:	pdf

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The Ultimate Book for the Novice and For the Professional Pysanky Artist

7/20/2017

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The newly published (2016) pysanky book is a must have for all pysanky artists-but especially for any novice.
Kelly shares the back story of his own journey of making pysanky since childhood. The richness of the step-by-step descriptions teaches the beginner, as well as sharing his expertise tips for the advanced pysankarka! The wonderful visual aids and photographs, from a lifetime of his pysanky journey, will enrich your own pysanky book collection and enhance your skills for you to advance in this beloved artform.
This is the book that I was searching for years ago in my own beginning, but never found.
BUY THE BOOK AT: http://makingpysanky.com

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Useful for Color Combining

7/3/2017

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color_combinations.pdf
File Size:	1541 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Scratch Tools Used on Social Media

4/2/2017

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I am interested in what tools are being used to make scratch eggs, better known as Drapanki, in Eastern European countries and in the diaspora. Here are some of the tools that I have located.

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Wear Gloves

3/19/2017

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While working on Drapanki, the scratch method, residue of dye can get on your hands and be removed from the shell; thus an un-even appearance.
Find a simple cotton glove at a dollar store. Wash the glove occasionally to keep it clean.

Me Working on a Goose Egg with Glove

My Student Using a Glove-Optional

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Storage for Pysanky Materials

3/17/2017

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As your skills and interest grow in making pysanky or another egg art, many social media comments come up on how to store supplies in an organized way.
I personally need to have supplies out of sight while not using them-and easy access for when I do need them. You don't need to spend too much money or time on assembling a great storage unit.

I always check "craigslist.com" for an Ikea, already assembled piece, for sale at a good price.
Ikea has a number of storage drawers to chose from. I like "white" ikea best.
The price is right and the assembly already done-and generally the person selling will load it into my cargo bay.
Ask if the drawers come out, as this can help to eliminate the weight when moving the piece-Ikea tends to be heavy in weight.
You can buy inserts at the dollar stores to next organize the items inside in a tidy way. You will know where everything is-including egg shells that can also be stored inside.

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How to Prepare Your Vinyl Tape Measure

3/17/2017

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I work on goose, turkey and chicken eggs. Measuring is important and I do enjoy measuring out a design, motif, or pattern. I exclusively use a narrow vinyl tape measure.

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Which End is Up?

3/16/2017

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On social media this question is asked: If an egg noticeably narrows, which end do you consider "up" when you write a design that has a top and bottom? I've seen it both ways. Wide end up or skinnier end up?
Replies were similar, but I loved #3 for her creative bent!

It is a matter of personal preference. Many people consider the narrow end the top, but some prefer the opposite.
If making a Christmas tree ornament wide end up.
I once made a sideways egg. I put the blow hole in the middle, not at an end. It made me feel weird!
Whichever end doesn't have the hole!
Narrow end up for ornaments, because I put the hanger cap over the hole.

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Using a Vinyl Tape Measure

3/13/2017

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If I am working on a pysanky, and putting so much time into it, I want the measurements to be exact. I exclusively use a flexible vinyl tape measure. I buy them in bulk because I give one to each of my students to keep. I have seen it in Walmart, also the Dollar Tree, that has one retractable measure, sold as a kit with needle/thread. You need it to be narrow, like in the picture below, not a wide vinyl. The benefit of vinyl is you can mark up your measurements with pencil or pen and erase the markings later! Gently remove the plastic tab, I use an xacto blade to lift off the vinyl and throw the tab away.
I always leave that white lead before the "0" in tact, don't cut it off. It is a good grip when measuring large eggs for circumference, etc.
I cut off the tape at 30 cm mark-just my preference. Cut a second tape for detail measurements, like when I make 2mm markings along a side band-I use the small tape!
I love to measure!