Make Pysanky Easter Eggs – A DIY Word Search

Have you ever made a pysanky egg, also known as Ukrainian Easter eggs? If not, the time has come. This year, Ukrainian Easter is celebrated on April 24, but in North America we celebrate this weekend. For the next week, it’s time to get some serious egg decorating. If you have supplies at home, great. If not, it’s no big deal because they’ll go on sale in a day or two. You are about to take part in a very old Easter tradition steeped in superstition.

From how to make Pysanky Eggs to getting supplies, this article will tell you everything you need to know. To get you in the mood, start with a CLN online Easter egg hunt; Here’s a pysanky egg word search!

What’s the deal with Pysanky Eggs?

The word pysanky comes from the verb pisać, which means to write. They are made with a wax resistance technique; Basically you use wax to write on an egg. This ancient tradition has been adopted around the world, but many do not know that it is surrounded by superstitions. From the colors you choose to the designs on the egg, everything is meaningful and has a hidden meaning. According to folklore, pysanky eggs created powerful magic.

Color order and folklore

White – purity, light

Yellow – youth, happiness

Orange – strength, endurance

Pink – success, contentment

Red – love, hope

Blue – truth, good health

Green – spring, new growth

Purple – Royalty, Patience

Black – eternity

DIY pysanky eggs

Supplies required to craft Pysanky Eggs:

• 1 white egg – It’s not a bad idea to have a few backups on hand in case you break your egg
• egg color – Kits to make eggs from the dollar store work, but beet dye works best
• Small beeswax candle or beeswax – Beeswax is necessary as it sticks to the egg.
• white wine vinegar
• Kistka – this wax casting tool is a necessity for crafting Pysanky Eggs.

get supplies

You can find most of the materials you need at the grocery store or pharmacy. However, a kistka is a very specialized tool. When it comes to procurement, there are basically three options:

1, in business – If you live in Canada and are looking for a kistka or other supplies, click here. This page lists all stores that sell Pysanky egg accessories and is sorted by province.

2, online- You can always find a kistka online, but it probably won’t arrive in time. The quality cannot be guaranteed either.

3, Make your own – There are two types of kistkas, one has a cone shaped funnel and the other looks like a needle on a handle. If you can’t find a cone funnel kistka, you can easily make the other kind. To do this, drive a nail into the end of a dowel. If this is not possible, insert a needle into the end of an eraser.

Instructions for Pysanky Eggs

Step 1 – Clean the egg

Fill a small bowl with warm water and two tablespoons of vinegar. Let the eggs soak for about 5 minutes and dry them with a paper towel. This step cleans the eggshells so the paint can adhere evenly.

Step 2 – Empty the egg

Make a small hole in the top of the egg and a larger one in the bottom.

In order to do this:

• Use a thumbtack and slowly rotate the egg in a circular motion.
• Apply light pressure until a hole forms.
• Once both holes are made, blow through the top to empty the contents.
• Run water through the holes to rinse the inside of the egg and let it dry completely.

To be perfectly honest, this thing kind of blows. Here are a few tips to make it easier:

• Shake the egg so it’s mixed inside.
• Get creative – Use a can of feather duster to blow the contents out of the egg (Caution – When you do this, hold the egg or it will fly.)

Step 3 – Draw your design

Use a pencil to lightly sketch your design. First, draw a vertical and horizontal line around the egg to use as a guide.

Step 4 – Paint the egg in wax

Note – At this stage, the wax designs you will stick onto the egg will be white.

When using a Pinhead Kistka:

Light the beeswax candle and let it burn until a small puddle of wax has formed. Dip the tip of the needle into the melted wax and draw it across the eggshell like a brush. Work fast.

When using a cone hopper kistka:

Light the beeswax candle and hold the conical funnel end over the fire. After a few seconds, use the large side to scrape beeswax off the side of the candle. The wax melts in the funnel and flows out through the fine tip. Work quickly and pull the fine point along the eggshell.

Step 5 – Color the egg

Before you start coloring your eggs, close the small hole at the top and bottom with some wax. This will prevent dyes from getting into the egg. Starting with the lightest shade, dip your egg in a cup of dye for 2 to 3 minutes. Wipe it off and let it dry for a few minutes.

Step 6 – Add more designs

Repeat step 4 and draw on the egg to add yellow lines and patterns. When finished, repeat step 5 and dye the egg the next color.

You will end up with an egg covered in wax. If it looks kinda gnarly, don’t worry because it’s meant to be.

Step 7 – The big reveal

It’s finally time to remove the wax for the big reveal! Slowly move your wax-coated egg through the candle flame. Then wipe quickly and gently with a paper towel. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to remove all of the wax. This will reveal the design underneath and paint the egg.

Hot Tip – Instead of a candle, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the wax. Word to the wise: be careful. It’s easy to get careless and cocky during this final phase. Speaking from personal experience, nothing is worse than breaking your egg while revealing the design.