Egg Painting and Decorating

Decorating eggs has become more and more popular in recent years, for all kinds of events, festivals and celebrations. It is a wonderful opportunity for family crafting, combining classic traditional folk and decorative styles for more formal effects in adult work with the potential for fun, games and simple ideas and results for children. In an evocative introduction, Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell provides a wonderful description of egg-painting in history and folk craft. The egg has been a powerful symbol of hope and new life in many different cultures throughout history. It appears in customs and rituals celebrating the creation of life and as a protection against evil. The purity and strength of its form have made it a classic shape and motif for design, and in many countries whole art forms are dedicated to the beautification of its smoothly curved surface. Deborah then describes the types of materials and equipment and also the techniques: hen eggs, duck eggs, goose eggs can all be used, and the methods range from simple dyeing and painting to gilding, stenciling and sgraffito.
Many of the techniques and designs are traditional - such as Polish goose egg jugs and a leaf-stencilled hen's egg - and others are stunningly contemporary, such as African resist-dyed eggs and a bead-encrusted extravaganza for Easter. Then there are 20 beautiful specially-designed projects for every kind of style and purpose. Using hard-boiled or blown natural eggs you can paint, dye, dip, scratch, cover and bleach them to create the most fabulous objects - whether for Easter table, other festivals, family events or permanent display. So whether you are looking for inspiration, practical advice on materials and skills, or projects you can copy step-by-step, this is the only book on egg decorating you will ever need.