Step 1. Choosing Your Egg:
Wash your hands well. Our fingers have natural oils on them that can interfere with the uniform distribution of dye on the egg. Pick an egg that has no noticeable marks, bumps or cracks. The smoother the egg the better. I use organic eggs because some states allow companies that get their expired eggs shipped back to them to wash them in bleach and then ship them back out! The organic companies won't do that. After choosing your egg, let it stand until room temperature.
Then soak it for approximately 5 minutes in a vinegar solution of 3
cups of distilled water to 3 tablespoons of vinegar. Please note that vinegar is an acid solution and will ruin the texture of the egg
if kept in it for too long. If bubbles start to form on the shell remove at once.
You can reuse the soak for a couple of eggs. Wipe dry with a paper towel. Not only does this clean off the egg, it
prepares the surface to absorb the dye very quickly. Let is stand for five minutes before applying wax.Illustration
Step 2. Drawing the lines:
There are 12 basic patterns for dividing the egg at the very beginning. To achieve this there are a variety of methods to use. A lathe Illustration is used to draw horizontal lines.
You can also use rubber bands Illustration As well as measuring tape, string and even banding used in clothes. Whatever works.
Step 3. Drawing your design:
The reason why patterns are drawn with pencil lightly (try #1 pencil) on the egg first is to make sure that your design will fit uniformly on your egg. The more you work with a certain design, the less detail you will have to put in pencil first, but you will still have to measure things out.
If you make a mistake with the pencil Do Not Erase it! Leave it there and lightly make the correct marking. Since we use dark dyes at the end most of the pencil marks will be covered. If you erase it the dye will have trouble taking to that part of the egg.
Step 4. Applying wax:
In the batik method, we apply wax on the color we want to keep. If you want white in your design use your stylus to draw on the lines/designs before you dip the egg into any dye.
You have the choice these days of using an electric stylus or regular one. I used a regular one until I decided I was in this art for a long time! The difference in price is substantial.
The benefits are different.
The electric one is virtually dripless, as long as you do not put too much wax in there. I use spaghetti wax and I love it. Illustration I use this to draw my lines.
The Electric stylus comes in many sizes also, and can be kept readily available.Illustration
The regular one will drip if too much heat is applied. I use this one when I'm filling in large areas with wax. I find that the dripping problem works to my advantage and I can quickly cover a large area.Illustration
If you do make a mistake with the wax, you might want to try a product called "Goo Gone" found in most craft shops. Apply it with a Q-Tip. Just make sure you get it all off otherwise the dye will not take on that section.
Using magnafying items help you prevent missing any spots. One item that's works well is a visor Illustration
Another item is the manifying lamp that clips on your table and has a light Illustration
Step 5. Applying the dye:
The dyes are prepared ahead of time by using a package of dye with two cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar. Since boiling water is used it has to cool before the egg can be dipped in it. Use glass jars and old tablespoons. Dyes last for dozens of eggs, but the solution can get funky and gooey before that. I don't know what causes it, but if you filter it through a coffee filter or microwaving it will keep the funk at bay for awhile. The egg should be checked after five minutes to see if the color has been achieved. Use a paper towel after you take out the egg and pat dry (you can use the towel again and again for the same color.) You then apply the wax to the area on the design that you want to keep the current color. After that you dip it in the next color. (Keeping it in the solution for too long will cause a discoloration or lines to appear in the dye pattern, that may not enhance your design.) The egg in the illustration was a two color egg (white and blue) Illustration
Step 6. Removing the wax:
After you have dipped the egg in the last color (the darkest color) wait five minutes before you begin to remove the wax.
I use a flannel cloth. Place the egg next to a candle flame,Illustration not in it or you will burn the egg. When the wax becomes liquid wipe off that section. Do this until the egg has no wax left. I usually feel around the egg with the tip of my finger to see if I missed any.
You can use the oven or toaster oven also, but eggs can burst and you may not blow them out because some of the insides have hardened.
The modern day method is to use chemicals such as 100% Mineral Spirits (Paint Thinner). This has to be used under strict conditions. I put a jarfull in a room with plenty of ventilation. I place the egg in the jar, seal it and let it sit there for 10-20 minutes. I remove the egg with a spoon and wipe the excess liquid off. I do not recommend this when teaching children.
Step 7. Varnish:
Wait 10 minutes after you remove all the wax. With your finger apply a TINY bit of varnish to each egg.
I've built an easy stand for them using 3 small nails for each egg. Illustration You can also use thumbnails on cardboard! Wait until they are dry (24 hours) before putting on another coat. Three small coats are better than one thick one. To wash your hands apply vegetable oil and rub it in well before applying soap.
Step 8. Blowing:
I then blow out the eggs using a vacuum cleaner (highly unusual, but does it in five minutes and I've never lost an egg. I then apply another layer of varnish, after I seal the holes with wax. Illustration
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