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Classroom Supplies for Teachers

Pysanky expert and best-selling author Joan Brander says:

"I often get inquiries from teachers asking what they should order when they want to conduct their own pysanky workshop in the classroom.  The three basic items you will need are beeswax, kistka and dyes. Other items can be easily collected from home or school or purchased from Baba's Beeswax.

I recommend working in groups and have suggested the supplies you will need. I have calculated the quantity of dyes for 4 different scenarios, based on 2 possible class sizes (31 students and 24 students) using the most popular colors, and offering the best results.

The 4 scenarios are:

  • Scenario #1 - requires the least amount of time to complete the pysanka
  • Scenario #2 - groups are larger
  • Scenario #3 - offers more color variety
  • Scenario #4 - reduces cost and time to complete

On this page:

Basic Supplies
Beeswax - Pysanky are made with pure beeswax. I recommend using colored beeswax which is easy to see on the egg. 1 block makes at least a dozen pysanky of a basic design. These can easily be shared.
 

Kistka - I recommend using the traditional wooden-handled kistka. Plastic (also known as delrin) handles can melt, rendering the kistka unusable. For beginners, use size MEDIUM for everyone. Then there is no competition amongst students. Have 1 kistka per person. For variety and/or those with fine motor skills or who are very detail-oriented, get 1 or 2 different sizes for people to try out:

  • size MEDIUM
  • size FINE
  • size HEAVY
  • size EXTRA-FINE
Pysanky Dyes - Dyes last a long time and will make many, many pysanky. See Color Chart

Did you know that:

  • if stored properly, they will last from year to year?
  • using jars with tight fitting lids will avoid evaporation?
  • freezing your dyes when not using them will avoid bacteria growth?
  • if dyes show evidence of bacteria growth by turning cloudy you can simply strain them through cheesecloth, bring to a boil, and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar?
  • every couple of weeks adding 1 tablespoon white vinegar to dyes will rejuvenate their dyeing power?

You can use as few as 2 or 3 colors to get beautiful results! You will never use all of the colors on one pysanka! I recommend using no more than 5 colors on one pysanka. There are 5 color ranges (listed here in order of use).

  • Colour range 1:    yellow or gold
  • Colour range 2:    light green, light blue, or turquoise (*these can be used as an accent colour and applied with a q-tip as indicated in instruction pamphlet--therefore fewer of these colours need to be ordered.  Follow this with orange, as the orange has a unique property in that it can wash out these accent colours.)
  • Colour range 3:    orange
  • Colour range 4:    red, pink, scarlet, pumpkin, or brick
  • Colour range 5:    black, purple, royal blue, brown, dark green, or dark red

I have suggested color combinations below for 31 students or 24 students.
 
Candles - I recommend using one candle per person. For safety, convenience, and ease of technique, these are not easily shared.  Tea candles aren't the best choice.  Nor are dollar store candles which burn very quickly. Candles from Baba's Beeswax have a strong flame and provide 6 hours of burning time.
 

Teaching Aids

Ukrainian Easter Egg Pysanka Beginners' Designs – contains colored diagrams, helpful hints, important information and sample designs
 

Pysanky on Paper : An Activity Book for Children – contains symbolism, coloring, drawing, reading, writing, math and science through Pysanky; activities include stories, puzzles and games. Includes bibliographical references

 

Useful information, hints and money-saving tips from the following Pysanka Power Pamphlets:

  • Pysanka Power #8 - Colors and Their Meanings
  • Pysanka Power #9 - How to Get Beautiful Results the Very First Time
  • Pysanka Power #10 - How to Empty Your Pysanky
  • Pysanka Power #12 - More than 80 Pysanky Tips

Schools can be invoiced with purchase order.

31 Students

Scenario #1 - requires the least amount of time to complete the pysanka

  • have 7 groups with 4 students in each group (7 x 4 + 3  = 31 students)
  • each group uses 5 colours (1 from each colour range)
  • total dyes to order for scenario #1: 
    • 7 yellow
    • 1 green (*see above)
    • 7 orange
    • 7 red
    • 7 black
  • total 29 dyes

Scenario #2 - groups are larger

  • have 6 groups with 5 students in each group (6 x 5 + 1 = 31 students)
  • each group uses 5 colours, 1 from each colour range
  • total dyes to order for scenario #2:
    • 6 yellow
    • 1 green (*see above)
    • 6 orange
    • 6 red
    • 6 black

  • total 25 dyes

Scenario #3 - offers more colour variety

  • Group 1 (yellow, *1/2 light green, orange, red, black)
  • Group 2 (yellow, *1/2 light green, orange, red, royal blue)
  • Group 3 (yellow, *1/2 turquoise, orange, pink, black)
  • Group 4 (yellow, *1/2 turquoise, orange, pink, purple)
  • Group 5 (yellow, *1/2 light blue, orange, red, purple)
  • Group 6 (yellow, *1/2 light blue, orange, pink, black)
  • total dyes to order for scenario #3:
    • 6 yellow
    • 1 light green, 1 light blue, 1 turquoise
    • 6 orange
    • 3 red, 3 pink
    • 3  black, 2 purple, 1 royal blue

  • total 27 dyes

Scenario #4 - reduces cost and time to complete

  • have fewer colour choices (i.e 4 colours instead of 5)
  • and have 6 groups with 5 students in each group (6 x 5 + 1 = 31 students)
  • everyone starts with yellow for best results
  • total dyes to order for scenario #4:
    • 6 yellow
    • 1 light green
    • 6 orange
    • 1 red, 1 black, 1 purple, 1 pink, 1 dark red, 1 royal blue
  • total 19 dyes

24 Students

Scenario #1 - requires the least amount of time to complete the pysanka

  • have 6 groups with 4 students in each group (6 x 4 = 24 students)
  • each group uses 5 colours (1 from each colour range)
  • total dyes to order for scenario #1: 
    • 6 yellow
    • 1 green (*see above)
    • 6 orange
    • 6 red
    • 6 black
  • total 25 dyes

Scenario #2 - groups are larger

  • have 5 groups with 5 students in each group (5 x 5 - 1 = 24 students)
  • each group uses 5 colours, 1 from each colour range
  • total dyes to order for scenario #2:
    • 5 yellow
    • 1 green (*see above)
    • 5 orange
    • 5 red
    • 5 black

  • total 21 dyes

Scenario #3 - offers more colour variety

  • Group 1 (yellow, *1/2 light green, orange, red, black)
  • Group 2 (yellow, *1/2 light green, orange, red, royal blue)
  • Group 3 (yellow, *1/2 turquoise, orange, pink, black)
  • Group 4 (yellow, *1/2 turquoise, orange, pink, purple)
  • Group 5 (yellow, *1/2 light blue, orange, red, purple)
  • Group 6 (yellow, *1/2 light blue, orange, pink, black)
  • total dyes to order for scenario #3:
    • 5 yellow
    • 1 light green, 1 light blue, 1 turquoise
    • 5 orange
    • 3 red, 1 pink
    • 1  black, 2 purple, 1 royal blue

  • total 23 dyes

Scenario #4 - reduces cost and time to complete

  • have fewer colour choices (i.e 4 colours instead of 5)
  • and have 5 groups with 5 students in each group (5 x 5 - 1 = 31 students)
  • everyone starts with yellow for best results
  • total dyes to order for scenario #4:
    • 5 yellow
    • 1 light green
    • 5 orange
    • 2 red, pink
    • 2 black, 1 purple, 1 royal blue
  • total 18 dyes

Reduce cost further by doing half a class at a time (if time permits).

As you can see, the possibilities are endless.  For best results start with yellow, use orange after green/blue/turquoise.  Substitute colours in their own colour range.  Each dye requires its own jar.  Consider your time limit.  The fewer dyes, the longer it takes for everyone to get through them.

I hope this information helps. Let me know.  joan@babasbeeswax.com