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| Q1. |
I would like
to learn how to make Pysanky. What supplies do I need to get
started?
We suggest beginners get started by purchasing a "Basic Kit"
and expanding from there. The Basic Kit contains all the supplies
you need to make Pysanky in the traditional way:
- the kistka is sturdy and will last indefinitely if used
properly
- the dyes can be used from year to year if stored properly
to avoid evaporation (simply add a tablespoon of vinegar
every couple of months to rejuvenate them)
- there is enough beeswax to make many Pysanky of a basic
design
- the cleaning wire is a useful tool that removes unwanted
debris from the funnel of the kistka
- all kits include step-by-step instructions, coloured
diagrams, helpful hints, important information, a description
of the history and tradition of Pysanky, symbols and their
meanings and sample designs
TIP: if you're making Pysanky with your friends or
family, with kids for example, rather than purchase 2 Basic
Kits, just buy one, add a kistka for each additional person
and easily share all the other things!
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| Q2. |
I see that the Basic Kit is
really affordable. Is there anything else I need?
If you want to expand the Basic Kit, we suggest that
you purchase any of the following additional items, depending
on your budget (all are optional, of course!)
- Baba's Super Sheen
- drying board
- books
- extra kistka (start with size fine, then heavy)
- extra dye colours (make sure you have enough jars)
- extra beeswax
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| Q3. |
What books do you suggest for
beginners?
In addition to the excellent pamphlet included with all the
kits we also recommend the following reading for beginners: |
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| Excellent source
of useful and timely information on Pysanky: |
EGGS-aminer published by Bluenose Press
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| For children aged
2 to 12: |
Pysanky on Paper: An Activity Book for Children
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| Excellent source
of information on technique: |
Ukrainian Egg Design - Book 1 (1984)
Ukrainian Egg Design - Book 2 (1986)
Ukrainian Egg Design - Book 3 (1995)
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| Excellent source
of information on tradition and history: |
Pysanka: Icon of the Universe (1977)
Eggs Beautiful (1975)
Ukrainian Easter Eggs & How We Make Them (1979)
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| New and exciting
designs: |
Decorating Eggs: Exquisite Designs with Wax &
Dye (1996)
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| Q4. |
What is the drying board used
for?
The drying board is a sturdy wooden board that has stainless
steel nails arranged in tripod configurations to hold 15 eggs
at a time. It is:
- essential for removing beeswax using the oven method
- provides a safe place for drying your varnished eggs
- protects eggshells while they are draining
- convenient place for resting your eggs while decorating
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| Q5. |
Do I need to buy new dyes every
year?
No, eggshell dyes are aniline, non-edible and come in a powdered
form. They are prepared with water and vinegar (all except the
orange dye which requires no vinegar!). The vinegar acts as
a setting agent and allows the colour to adhere to the eggshell.
Once prepared, the dyes will last indefinitely. Two enemies
are:
- evaporation - therefore, store dyes in air-tight jars
- bacteria from eggs contaminating the dyes - when this
happens the dyes become cloudy and show evidence of bacteria
growth, but can still be used successfully. Simply strain
the dye through cheesecloth, bring to a boil, and add
1 tablespoon white vinegar. From time to time (ie. every
couple of weeks) add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to
the dyes to rejuvenate their dyeing power
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| Q6. |
What is the egg vacuum pump?
The unique Baba's Egg Vacuum Pump:
- is easy
- is fast
- is clean to use
- requires only one tiny hole in your egg
This apparatus hooks up to your kitchen, laundry-room or laboratory
faucet, even ones with minimal water pressure and uses the
"venturi principle" to extract egg contents. It works like
a miniature vacuum to basically "suck out" the contents of
your eggs through one tiny hole. It is designed to be used
either before dyeing techniques (ie. Pysanky, blocking, etc.),
thereby saving the contents, or after dyeing, thereby discarding
the ruined egg contents
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| Q7. |
How do I save the egg contents
when emptying eggs?
Before dyeing your eggs, just seal the hole with beeswax
and use a weight (such as a small jar of water) to hold down
the egg in the dye. You can purchase separately a Fluid Transfer
Closure which attaches Baba's Egg Vacuum Pump to a standard
mason jar thereby collecting and storing the useable contents
of your eggs. After dyeing your eggs, the unuseable egg contents
must be discarded |
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| Q8. |
How long does it take to empty
eggs with Baba's Egg Vacuum Pump?
With Baba's Egg Vacuum Pump, depending on the size of the hole
in your egg, you can empty and rinse out more than 3 dozen eggs
in less than an hour. |
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| Q9. |
My older Pysanky have turned
yellow. Why?
Until now, most varnishes and urethanes have had yellowing effects
on Pysanky. Worse yet, some are water-based and wash off the
dyes! You can now use a brand new product to protect and preserve
your beautiful Pysanky without the effects of yellowing. Baba's
Super Sheen is clear, glossy and non-yellowing. It produces
dramatic results on Pysanky and is very easy to use. It can
safely be used on all types of water-based colours, including
Pysanky dyes. |
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| Q10. |
What do your tee-shirts look
like?
Our Tee-Shirts are of excellent quality (Hanes, made in USA),
100% cotton, short-sleeved and generous in length. They are
teal-green in colour. Their design is black line-art. The design
is a 9"x13" rectangle that contains a kistka resting atop an
egg that has a few wax lines written on it in the motif of a
star rosette. Under the rectangle are the words "Baba's Beeswax". |
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| Q11. |
What are templates and how
are they used?
The construction of our templates is somewhat between heavy
paper and light cardboard. There are 16 pysanka templates in
a package ranging from 1/4" to 4-7/8". They are designed to
divide all sizes of eggs into equal parts of 2, 4, 6 or 8 or
for circles. |
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| Q12. |
The only eggs available here
are brown! Although it works ok (gives the final egg sort of
an "antique" look), we would like to have some white in the
design on occasion. Only the lighter colors seem to be affected.
Any suggestions?
The only way to get "white" in your design is to start with
white eggs. Brown eggs produce very nice results, don't they? |
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| Q13. |
Why do my dyes not go on smoothly,
but rather in a blotchy and streaked manner?
This sounds like it's because of the egg surface itself and
not the dyes. Every eggshell reacts differently to the dyes
and there is no guarantee that the colour will come out "smooth"
and "consistent" |
