Making Ukrainian Eggs


 
Start with a clean, white egg.
Sketch some guidelines in pencil.
Making Ukrainian Russian eggs wax kistka 3
This is a waxing tool called a "kistka."  It has a metal cup with a tiny hole at the bottom.  Fill the kistka with beeswax, and heat it over a candle flame to melt the wax.
Making Ukrainian Russian eggs wax kistka 4
Use the kistka to draw lines of melted wax on your egg.  The wax will keep dye off the egg, so wherever you put wax at this stage will remain white.
Dip the egg into the first color of dye – in this case yellow.

Notice that the waxed lines have been protected from the yellow dye.
Now, draw wax lines in all the places that should remain yellow.  Continue in this way, adding layers of wax and different colors, until the design is complete.

Melt off the wax.  Now you can see the egg's true colors!
Varnish the egg.  Blow out the insides.