PYSANKY BASICS
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Ellipse Pattern-Step-by-Step

5/29/2019

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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. 
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Me Working on a Goose Egg with Glove
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My Student Using a Glove-Optional
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Mixing Up Aniline Dyes

3/12/2017

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I prefer using a glass jar that has a rubber gasket. This keeps the dyes fresh.
  1. Open the packet on a covered surface. 
  2. Boil 1/4 cup of distilled water (if available). 
  3. Pour the water into your container(I prefer glass)
  4. Add the packet of dye and stir it until it is well incorporated.
  5. Next, add 1 cup of cold water, distilled is best. 
  6. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.
  7. Cut it out and use the label on packet to mark your dye jar.
  8. Use the dye when it has cooled-I do pop an ice cube in, when I am impatient!  
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Tracing Circles

2/25/2017

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Silicone suction cups with hooks are useful for tracing circles on the egg.   Michaels and Walmart both carry an assorted bag of different sizes.  
 Also, if you place the cup on a template that has division marks, you can mark them off using extra fine Sharpie or ball point pen.  on your suction cups. 
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Teacher Tip-Demo for Showing How to Add Patterns to the Egg Shell

7/24/2014

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I EXPLAIN TO THE CLASS THAT ADDING THE PATTERN ONTO THE EGG SHELL  IS NOT "ROCKET SCIENCE"!  
THE PATTERN IS REPEATED IN EACH QUADRANT. 
Using a large demonstration egg is most helpful for the visual learner.  
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LOOK AT THE PHOTO OF ME ABOVE. I AM USING A DRY MARKER SHOWING HOW TO REPEAT THE PATTERN ONTO EACH QUADRANT. ASK IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS!
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THE "STAR PATTERN" IS USED IN THE BEGINNER CLASS. THIS IMAGE SHOWS ADDITIONAL LINES AND A MOTIF IS ADDED TO EACH QUADRANT.
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A SIMPLE EXAMPLE TO ADD SMALL LINES AROUND THE STAR.
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THIS STUDENT IS BEGINNING TO PLAN A PATTERN ONTO A WORKSHEET. SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO PLAN, OTHERS PREFER TO GO STRAIGHT ONTO THE SHELL.
beginner_worksheets.pdf
File Size: 7438 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Finishing Off an Egg at the End

7/24/2014

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 #1 Removing the wax with a cut piece cloth, which hospitals or throw away; these are good because they have a bite to the weave and pick up the wax.
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 #2 Remove any pencil line with a white eraser. 
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 #3    Look at the white wolves teeth pattern-do you see some black bits? I scrape those away with a blade. 
 

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#4   You can see a red dot under the letter "e".  I used a black marker to cover it. 

PictureI use these pens to touch up colors on an egg. Staedtler 318 Lumocolor Pen Permanent Fine 0.6mm Assorted Ref 318WP8












​Small uneven areas of the dye can sometimes be corrected with permanent markers. That the level of success can depend on the color in question, so experiment a little before doing it on your prize egg. Black markers are most useful (if your egg ends in black) for running around the white edge of the hole left behind after emptying the egg. 

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FISKARS FINGER BLADE Look for it in the scrapbook section of Michaels.
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I scratched the star into the egg at the end; using a Fiskars finger blade. 
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 Will I Varnish the goose egg?  I did not, but left it as is;  it already has a nice bees wax patina.
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Measuring Divisions on an Egg Shell

1/21/2014

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PictureClick on All Photos for Links to Buying
 Egg Decorating Templates -  An easy way to divide an egg into equal sections, and for making perfect circles-16 different sizes in the package. 

PictureYou can find the flexible tape measure in Walmart
I use a vinyl retractable tape measure for all of my pysanky.  I prefer measuring in millimeters and centimeters.

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The top left hand corner of this plastic circle template is divided up into degrees, and can be used for marking the divisions on an egg.  You then use a rubber band to draw the lines from point to point to achieve straight lines.
PictureClick on Photo for Link to Buying
A lathe is used for dividing an egg. From a recommendation on social media, a good beginner lathe is a plastic one; especially as it is a lower price point to other lathes on the market.  



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Transferring a Motif More Than Once

12/31/2013

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This This Trypillian egg has a repeated wolf  on each of the four quadrants.
Instead of free-hand drawing each one you can trace and transfer the image to each of the four sections, using one traced template that you make with a piece of tissue paper.  Finally, trace over each tracing to darken it. 

​CLICK ON EACH PICTURE



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Cleaning Soiled Farm Eggs and Stubborn Stains

10/22/2013

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  I advertise early in the spring, on craigslist or free-cycle and have been lucky to buy fresh goose eggs and turkey eggs(as you see here).  You can negotiate with the seller what price you will pay for a dozen eggs.  Once you have established the contact, it is easy to make arrangements year after year, for purchasing their eggs.  
 IMPORTANT: I ask the sellers to simply rinse and store the eggs in the fridge until I arrive.  One time a seller scrubbed the eggs clean with a Brillo pad!  This could damage the cuticle of the egg and scratch the surface, spoiling it.  So a gentle note to the seller is all that is needed. 
DISCLAIMER:  AS ALWAYS BE CAREFUL/CAUTIOUS WHEN BUYING OR TRADING ITEMS FROM CRAIGSLIST!  
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A light scrub cleaned these eggs.

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RECIPE FOR LIGHT STAINS 


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Rinsing the eggs using a soft  brush or soft toothbrush. 

RECIPE FOR LIGHT STAINS
I place eggs in a  clear sink of water a few at a time. Watch for air bubbles, this will lead you to a stress cracked shell.
  Using a soft toothbrush wash the egg with a paste of Baking Soda and Ivory Liquid. I mix this on the edge of the sink. 
 Rinse the egg under clear running water. 
 Finally give the egg a quick dip in  a bath of white vinegar and water and then dry it again. 
I dry the eggs on a board, or a dish cloth, as you see in the header photo.

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STUBBORN STAINS

RECIPE FOR STUBBORN STAINS
Make a paste of Baking Soda, Ivory Liquid and Bleach PEN-Tablespoon of each.
When I have a few eggs with stubborn stains.  I leave  this paste on the stain, and soak the eggs overnight in water.  Do not agitate the eggs, but let them sit.  In the morning, using the soft tooth brush, give it a good over-all scrub, rinse, vinegar wash and Voilà!  the stain is gone!  
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Supporting the Egg While Writing

10/22/2013

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My personal favorite, especially when I teach classes;  I place a microbead pillow at each station. The pillow supports the wrists and keeps the egg secure in the nest created by the microbeads.  It prevents the egg from rolling.  I find microbead pillows at yard sales and  second-hand shops.  Wash them in a cold water cycle and let them air-dry.  I clean them this way after each class use.  Students love the support that the pillow gives when writing on the egg with the kistka.

        “ I do think this idea of micro-bead pad is the greatest and I am going to try to find some and start hoarding them, so I can use them if and when I am able to teach this beautiful art.”        


Sheila the Egg Lady

Social Media Results: What Others Use
Stack of napkins in a paper plate- Old towel-Craft foam covered with plastic place mat-Pad made of blue towels-Comfort Memory Foam BathMat-CD storage box filled with beading foam-Stack of old Curity stretch gauze diapers-Folded pillow case-Stack of coffee filters...
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Paper towels layered-saving the Viva towels for blotting off the dye and reuse.


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NINA'S BEAN BAGS-This bag holds a goose egg, you can vary the size according to the eggs you most work on. 

PictureFran Beaupre's Egg Support
WORK ROOM at the PUSA Retreat  2013 

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Again, paper towels stacked with soft tissues on top; changing out the tissues as they get covered with pencil, dye or wax. 

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    by Maggie 

    I am of Ukrainian and Polish ancestry, 2nd generation American, who grew up in an ethnic household and neighborhood in Passaic, NJ.   Keeping with tradition, I learned to write pysanky as a young girl and continue to work on my passion for pysanky.  I teach classes and demonstrate the art year-round.

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