At Sugartree Farmette, we have two beloved female ducks who happily share their lives with our flock of nineteen chickens. While requests for duck eggs are rare, something special happened in the spring of 2024. A sweet woman named Maike reached out to us for unwashed duck eggs. Two weeks later, she reached out again. And again shortly after that. She became a regular purchaser of our duck eggs.
Each time she’d pick up the eggs from our home, we’d get to talking a bit, and one day, she shared with us that she doesn’t actually eat the eggs she buys, but rather, and to our fascination, she paints them. On another visit to pick up eggs, Maike brought some of her painted eggs to show us, and wow, were we impressed and enthralled!
We learned that the painted eggs are called Pysanky eggs. “Pysanky is a very old art form that started in Ukraine in the pre-Christian era. This egg-painting tradition has been passed down from mothers to daughters for generations,” Maike shared with us. “I have always loved and admired Pysanky eggs. Through the years, I have learned how to make them.”
Captivated by Maike’s artistry, we asked her to share more about the process. She graciously documented the steps, complete with photos, to show us the intricate care and craftsmanship that go into making these dazzling pieces. We’re so excited to share her beautiful work and the story behind this timeless tradition with you:
Step 1: Use white eggs that have no bumps or no cracks. You will need a candle holder with a candle, bee’s wax, a kystka (stylus that has a funnel with different sized holes) to form thicker or thinner lines, and different color dyes.
Step 2: Wash the egg with a solution of water and vinegar. This will make the dye catch better to the egg.
Step 3: Take a pencil and lightly divide the egg into 1 horizontal line and 1 vertical line. These will be your references points for your design.
Step 4: Draw your design lightly with a pencil.
Step 5: Warm up the kystka, load it with the bee’s wax, and start tracing the lines that will remain white.
Step 6: Dye the egg yellow.
Step 7: Trace the lines and areas that will remain yellow.
Step 8: Continue this process until you get to the darkest color (black). To dye the eggs, go from a lighter color to a darker color.
Step 9: When you have waxed all the areas and you are finished with your design, remove the wax. Light up a candle and with the egg over the flame, in a slow circular motion, remove the wax with the help of a clean paper towel.
Step 10: The final step is to varnish your egg with 1-2 coats of varnish.
Above is one of her stunningly crafted Pysanky eggs.
A few weeks ago, we asked Maike if she takes custom design requests, and to our delight, she said yes! We told her the story of a young American-Ukrainian family we hosted last year after they fled the war, and how we’d love to gift them one of her painted eggs. We suggested painting the egg with blue and yellow, the Ukrainian flag colors (blue representing the sky and yellow representing wheat fields) and perhaps sunflowers (the official Ukrainian flower, which has become a global symbol of resilience, hope, and unity).
Yesterday, Maike brought us the finished Pysanky egg, and we’re absolutely in awe of its beauty and detail:
“I feel proud to share my designs with other people and see how the eggs brighten up a shelf, a desk, or a Christmas tree,” Maike expressed to us.
Inspired to delve deeper into the history of Pysanky eggs, we learned that they often feature symbolic designs. They have long been exchanged as offerings and gifts, carrying a rich history of symbolizing good fortune, protection, and blessings.
If you’re as enchanted by Maike’s work as we are, you can explore her exquisite, one-of-a-kind creations on her Etsy shop, Love For Eggs (https://www.etsy.com/shop/loveforeggs?ref=profile_header).
“Wherever they are destined to be,” Maike shared, “these eggs are to be treasured for their beauty and unique designs.”
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