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Dyeing Goose Shell in Ziploc Bag

12/29/2021

Today, I used a gallon size Ziploc bag for dying a goose shell. Be sure to twist out all of the air in the bag and leave the shell to absorb the dye; check it occasionally to see if it is your desired color. I will continue to use this method as I am please with the results. Because I use blown shells, I no longer need to hold down a floating shell in a jar of dye!

Twist out all the air in the bag and stand in a tall container.

I was pleased with the result. I used Surma purple dye.

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Polish Scratch Eggs-Precious Words

5/2/2021

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The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, 'to write'. The designs are not painted on but written with beeswax. Some cultures also write a message on the shell, often a message exclaiming an Easter blessing.
I saw this shell on a video and took a screen shot, then translated the lovely message, 'To whom I will give this egg in my heart".
I believe each egg shell that is completed is a meditation and prayer.

To Whom I Will Give This Egg in My Heart

Google Translation

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Create a Collage of Each Class Photos

4/1/2020

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My advice is to Photograph Each Class That You Teach. It is important to always ask your audience, if anyone minds you taking photos during the class. In some cases, you may wish to have a brief 'release form' to be signed ahead of time.
For several years I taught for Triple Oaks in Franklinville, NJ. After each class, the owner Lorraine Kiefer, would send me a collage of photos she had taken during that session. What joy!
I miss teaching for Lorraine each Lenten season.
Remember, your photos become a visual reminder for the next time that you teach. Photos for example, of the dye table set-up, shell preparation, even individual student place settings keep your standards high and classes successful.

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Washing-Back a Dye

2/23/2020

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WHY WASH BACK? Some Pysanky artists like to “wash back” each color rather than over lapping, dipping the egg from color to color. The advantage of this is that you get to see the white canvas (space) that you have left on the egg, when you wash back. Another advantage is that you can see if there are any flaws in waxing or missed color; these can then be touched up. I have made mistakes with forgetting to dip into a dye color and then needed to remove the mistaken dye, so that I could go back to the missed color. I wash-back the shell using a light solution of Ivory Liquid and water.
Washing back with a large soft mop brush should not disturb the already waxed lines.
Mix a small dollar store pump bottle with one part Ivory Liquid, to two parts water. Pump an amount onto the brush and wash back the color. Wash back over a sink and finally rinse the egg well with cold water. Before continuing with the newest waxing and dye color, examine the egg for any flaws, such as missed waxing or missed color. You could use a fine pointed detail brush for the hard to reach bits.
REMINDERS:

the shell will saturate you need to dry the shell between multiple washes; the shell will tell you when it is time, as it will start to absorb color thinly or more slowly.
You could use a mixture of Ivory Ultra or Dawn Original dish detergent and water or b) Mrs Myers All Purpose Cleaner or c) Awesome Orange all purpose cleaner (from Dollar Tree). Use a soft toothbrush to help get the dye off. Rinse the egg thoroughly in cool water and let dry. Before you put it into the next dye, dunk it into a light solution of vinegar and water mixture to ensure that there isn't any residue left on the egg.
I have found that if you wash back too often without allowing the egg to dry completely can prevent it to oversaturate the shell so it won't take the dye properly.
If it's over-saturated with either dye or water, you may find that the shell "sweats" meaning that moisture has gotten inside through the pores. Set it aside for a day or so and work on another egg. When you go back to that egg, put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Yes, the freezer! This helps prevent speckles from developing on the egg when you dip it into the dye.
DETAIL BRUSH If you find that you have a color missing, you can use a detail brush to fill in the bit and then wax over it. Be sure to wash new brushes before using, because they contain a stiffener to hold the bristles in place.

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Organizing Pysanky Supplies

1/25/2020

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Organized Pysanky supplies is a priority. I bought one KALLAX shelf unit, with 8 sections and in addition, one KALLAX shelf unit, with 4 sections.
I needed the additional unit to hold a printer and paper reams.
The box inserts were also bought from IKEA . I purchased 12 of the LEKMAN storage boxes which are a heavy duty plastic. They slide out easily. Finally, I now have a surface to display my Polish and Ukrainian wood carvings that I have collected over the years.
My glass work desk is to the right and faces the garden.

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Basic Star Pattern

5/29/2019

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Click on PDF file link below, for a detailed "how to" draw a Star Pattern!

measuring_out__double_star.pdf
File Size:	781 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Additional patterns-click on image to enlarge and print

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Ellipse Pattern-Step-by-Step

5/29/2019

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How to Make an Egg Dipper

4/11/2019

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Unblown shells sink in the dye! Blown shells float!
Over the years, I have used slotted spoons to hold down the shell, a shot glass or small filled water bottle. All these can leave marks and possibly knock of fine waxing.
At the 2019, PysankyUSA Retreat, in Wilkes Barre, Pa., a smart idea was found in our 'goody bags'. It was a handmade dipper, a clever safe way to hold down the shell in the dye. I made this 'how-to' slide show so you can make your own.
I found my wire at ACE Hardware but also Amazon.com

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Almost Threw this Shell Away

4/9/2019

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This video is from my own YouTube channel Pysanky Basics.
It's a quick reminder to keep working on a pysanky even if you are not at first, pleased with it.

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Dye on Hands? Use a Glove

4/9/2019

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To prevent dye from accumulating on your hands and spoiling the color, while working on Ukrainian pysanky(batik method) or the monochrome shell used for Kroszonki, the Polish scratch method of Pisanki:

I use a glove on the hand that holds the shell.
I find it a must to wear a glove, as you can see below, when working with a goose egg shell or anything larger than a chicken shell.