The Story of Baba's Beeswax

Baba's Beeswax was founded in 1991 by Joan Brander. As a child in rural Saskatchewan she was fascinated with the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky that was passed down through the generations from her grandmother, whom she called "Baba". Joan began demonstrating pysanky in the community where educators and program directors took notice of her teaching skills and friendly manner. It wasn't long before they asked her to conduct workshops for them.

The Hatching of Baba's Beeswax

The increasing demand for Joan's knowedge about pysanky and for affordable and accessible supplies motivated her to do more with her egg decorating hobby. As her early years were spent in her parents' hardware store, starting her own pysanka enterprise was a logical next step. She didn't have to look far to find the ideal name: Baba because she was her inspiration and teacher—Beeswax because of its significance to the technique.

Discover the Magic of Pysanky

Baba's Beeswax is a family business located in Richmond, BC with customers all over the world. A pioneer on the internet, we have had a website since 1997! We have kits and workshops for every level from beginner to advanced. We publish books, pamphlets and videos. We have demonstrations in the community and fun exhibits at festivals. We offer our knowledge, information, hints and money-saving tips. We share. Let us know what you think on our facebook page (Discover the Magic of Pysanky link in progress), follow us on Twitter (link in progress), or connect with us the old-fashioned way by phone or fax. Link to our Contacts page for more details.

From the beginning, our standard was quality and accessibility plus exemplary service. Some things should never change.

Baba’s Beeswax—celebrating over 20 years in business!
Baba’s Beeswax—the result of more than 50 years of Joan's sincere respect and love for pysanky!
Baba’s Beeswax—makes it easy, fun and affordable to make pysanky!
Baba’s Beeswax—where you can get everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way!

Pysanky Expert Joan Brander

I luv pysanky!

Joan Brander is the author of three best-settling titles, About the Pysanka—It Is Written! A Bibliography (2007), Pysanky on Paper: An Activity Book for Children (1997), and Pysanka Power (a series of pamphlets and videos of knowledge, useful information, hints and money-saving tips). She is the editor of EGGS-aminer Newsletter. She is an artist, volunteer, community leader, promoter and teacher of pysanky, who enjoys skiing and curling in winter and cycling, golfing and tennis in summer. She was born in Saskatchewan, studied in Ontario, and now lives in Richmond, BC.

First Memories

Joan affectionately recalls the time when, as a little girl, she was introduced to the art of Pysanka by her grandmother whom she called "Baba".

"I will always remember Baba as being plump and jolly. Her belly jiggled when she laughed (which was often). Baba lived in a small house across the street from the school that I attended in the heartland of Canada. Her yard embraced nature's beauty: heavy-scented roses, pale pink poppies, tawny tiger lilies (floral symbols of Saskatchewan), delicate brown-eyed susans blowing in the prairie wind, and, of course, her inviting vegetable garden all tended to so lovingly. I remember jumping on Baba's bed of feather quilts with my cousins when we visited her. And I remember with fondness the big wood stove where she baked bread, the scent of melting beeswax, the kitchen table where we worked."

Joan's first eggs were created without the special dyes and tools she uses today. Back then she made her dyes by soaking sheets of colored crepe paper in boiling water. She made her kistka from metal recycled from a wall calendar. Her first lines of beeswax looked like noodles. She persevered. In time she began giving away her Pysanky as "gifts from the heart" to people who touched her life, a practice she continues to this day. According to Joan "nothing is more rewarding or pleasurable than to create a lasting gift for a friend."

Preserving one of the great traditions of all time!

Even with Easter several months away, Joan has everything ready for her annual ritual. It starts right after Christmas. Before her is a lighted candle, a block of beeswax and a kistka. Jars of brilliant dyes stand at one side. In a bowl rest pagan symbols of the life force--freshly laid eggs, white and smooth. In the same way that the people who originated the pysanka believed in its power, Joan writes symbols on the curved surface of the egg. Her basic design emerges and she bathes the egg in a succession of dyes in the technique akin to batik. Finally she wipes off all the beeswax--and behold! A breathtaking delight.

In the busy weeks prior to Easter, thousands of children and adults will try their hand at pysanky under the skilled direction of Joan as she shares her knowledge and expertise. It means a lot to her when people exclaim how fun and easy she makes it for them.

Many Ukrainian traditions have been lost over the years, but Joan is doing her part to make sure that the art of pysanka endures. Between the busy days of Easter and the dreamy days of Christmas, you'll find Joan working on her next pysanka book or writing pysanky in the traditional way that her Baba taught her.

More About Joan Brander

What Our Fans Are Saying About Us

• (Jan 24, 2011) from Mary, Cody, Wyoming - I enjoy working with you because of the excellent customer service and friendly reply. I especially enjoyed the apple green dye. It worked really well with the dark green and the jade green for trees.
  
  
• (Dec 14, 2010) from Jon, Idaho - Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me over the phone this afternoon Joan. I was waffling back and forth quite a bit about whether or not to spend the money on introducing pysanky to my wife and daughter, but you were so helpful and knowledgeable that It just felt like the right choice to make. I've gotten so used to ordering things impersonally over the internet that I had forgotten how nice It is to do business with friendly people who care about what they do and the products they are selling.
  
  
• (Mar 2, 2008) from David, Mesa, Arizona - Thanks again for being there to provide the tools and resources needed by folks like me who want to learn this art form. I look forward to many years of enjoyment decorating eggs.
  
  
• (Feb 20, 2008) from Delaney, Cooper City, Florida - I have been doing pysanky since I was a little girl with my Ukrainian grandmother. Both my mother and sister are artists and I have always been the least artistically inclined of the three of us. However, I've found that my passion for color, and the repetitive patterns of pysanky along with the history and fond childhood memories have incited some sort of a passion for me and have created an unlikely artistic outlet where before I had none. It's been several years since I last dyed some eggs as I found finding black dye and beeswax was harder than I imagined. Your website was like an oasis. I am so excited to get out my kitskas. Thank you.
  
  
• (Feb 12 2008) from Roberta, San Antonio, Texas - I don't know what the magic stuff is in your varnish, but I think its fabulous for pysanky. Never could find anything better.
  
  
• (March 12, 2007) from Daphne - Just a quick note to say thanks for the terrific workshop on Tuesday. All the kids (and parents!) had a great time. I was stunned that Duncan actually finished his egg. As I told you, he NEVER does art. (He is learning disabled and gifted -- music is his passion and he's never shown any interest in the visual). It was great to see him captivated by the project -- and actually finish It!! He was very proud of himself and he even did another egg the next day, using the kit we bought. Thanks again.
  
  
• (Mar 10, 2007) from Shannon King, Program Coordinator - I cannot thank you enough for putting on another fantastic workshop for the Delta Museum and Archives. Your workshop is so well organized and so enjoyable. It is such a pleasure to hear the laughter coming from the program room, knowing that the participants are having a wonderful time at your workshop.

• (Mar 18, 2004) from Linda- My interest in Pysanky started when our daughter was in Northern Sask. working at her first teaching position. That was about 6 or 7 years ago. We were fortunate to be able to visit her there, and one of the other teachers was a Ukrainian girl from southern Sask. She showed a few of us the technique and I've made a few eggs each year since. I also share the ideas with my friends and co-workers. I'll have a few girls here in the evening, and we all try our hand at decorating eggs. I think It is a wonderful tradition that would have been great to grow up with. Thanks again for providing a Canadian site to order my supplies.

• (Mar 18, 2004) from Lisa- I received my order last Tuesday and created my first three eggs yesterday (Wednesday). I am thrilled. This is a lot of fun. I am not doing “traditional designs” because I had It in my mind to try stain glass like pictures on the eggs. It is working!!! Or at least on a learning curve level It is. – LOL.

  This is so great. I retired as a technical computer trainer two years ago and began to pursuer my dreams in woodworking – inlay, sculpture, and art furniture. I also love hockey, not playing, teaching other who have not grown up with It how to enjoy watching. Combining two passions, earlier this year I joined some friends as they attempted to introduce a new minor league hockey team (UHL Columbus Stars) here in central Ohio. My NHL team is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Your Canucks just acquired Sanderson from us, hope he does well for you. I know he will love Vancouver. But the Stars failed financially and folded in January (We were #1 in the league – this was a terrible blow to all of us.) So I retreated to my workshop in the mountains of North Carolina. We have a log home on top of a mountain there. Unfortunately I took a tumble down the stairs and broke my foot! This has not been my favorite winter. So I had to return to Ohio and after four weeks found out I had to have surgery. So I am totally off my feet and can not go anywhere. It is my right foot so even when I can walk a bit I can not drive. This is where you come to my rescue. I can not do my woodworking with out my shop or tools and I have to stay off my feet. Another dream of mine was to try dyed pictures on eggs. I have seen demos on HGTV (home and garden TV) but I thought It would be expensive or hard to get the materials, etc. When I found your website I was thrilled. A week ago Tuesday I had my surgery and to be honest was a little depressed and bored with the realization of extended recuperation time. I am lucky I was not injured more, please understand I am not complaining, just sharing the facts. So the day after my surgery I order your kit! WHAT FUN!!! I am looking forward to making a lot of thank you egg gifts for my wonderful neighbors, family and friends who have been so kind to me.

• (Apr 1, 2003) from Trish - My mom is Lithuanian and when I was growing up, her cousin decorated eggs. Not as colorful as the traditional Ukrainian ones, but made with lots of love and care. I have some Pysanky over 50 years old that belonged to her! I was happy to find your site with everything I need. Eggstreamly eggcited artist who wants to keep the old tradition alive.

• (Dec 6, 2002) from Marcia in Massachusetts-Boston - I am somewhat new to Pysanky--I am the kid next door who loved the history and tradition of Ukraine as told by my friend's grandma. Now I am many years older and would like to get back to It again. I loved your web site; It inspired me to get re-started.

• (Aug 16, 2001) from Myrna in Freehold, NJ - I find Pysanky very relaxing. It helps quiet my mind during a very busy Lent and Easter season (I'm a minister). The supplies I ordered are going to be used at a camp I am directing for people living with AIDS. I am hoping that they find creating Pysanky a way to focus and also create beauty in their lives. Peace.

• (Aug 3, 2001) from Joyce in Toronto - I have an interesting story to tell you. I was wearing your t-shirt on the 15 hour ferry between Argentia, Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. I was standing in the food lineup, and this woman comes over to me and says "I noticed your logo. I've bought stuff from you". I then had to explain that I was your sister, and not you. She said that she loved your products and we had a nice chat. Gord and I wear your t-shirts often, and sometimes they get noticed with the most interesting comments from people. Keep up the good work.

• from Monica in New Brunswick (Canada) - My pysanky supplies arrived!! Yay! A VERY big thank you!! I got my stuff today in the mail and It all looks great. My biggest regret is not choosing to order all the pysanky stuff I ordered through your company. I'm just starting to do this stuff and I spent a lot of time trying to find good prices, etc. on the internet. Your company stood out to me. I really love the layout of your site...it's very user friendly. I was going to order all my stuff from you, but I was feeling impatient, so I found a site that I could order everything directly over the Internet rather than mailing my order in. BIG MISTAKE!! Although ordering was quick, their delivery hasn't been. They live much closer to me, but you guys sent everything so speedily and in great shape!!! Thanks a million! I PROMISE to order all my stuff from you! Keep up the great work!

• from Diane, a teacher in Port Coquitlam, B.C.- I just wanted to thank you for the prompt service you gave us! I'd also like to thank you for all the extra price lists for my workshop. I look forward to ordering from you again next season

• from Jamie - It is so wonderful to be able to order these supplies from you. Thanks again, I am sure to be a regular customer!

• from Lynne - Hi Joan. Just to let you know that my order arrived on Tuesday. The package survived the trip quite nicely, and everything is in good order. I cannot say the same of my four-year old who was really disappointed the package was not for him! Thanks for your help and quick response to my order. I look forward to dealing with you again in the near future.

• From Carol - The order came in and looks like everything arrived in good condition. You certainly packaged the eggshells well. Usually they are the first to break. Anyway I am anxious to get started and try your products. Thank you

• from Lou - Just to let you know I received my order and It arrived in good shape. Thank you for the prompt delivery. I am excited to try out all the new colors. I am happy to find out that I could order so many things from you. Thanks again