4-12-22 UKRAINIAN EGGS

Our first attempt at Ukrainian Eggs.

When our hearts were turned to Ukraine, back at the beginning of this Lenten season, we sewed Ukrainian flags to represent our solidarity with them in their desire for freedom from their unprovoked oppression.

Tonight we made Ukrainian Easter eggs. It was a ladies only night at our house. Just my girls and my sisters. No kids. We ordered dinner from Cafe Rio and girl gabbed, then set to work learning how to make these complex pieces of art.

While I am tempted to write the details of all of this, I will instead let the art speak for itself. Granted, these are all first attempts, and some of us are more patient and some are more artistic than others of us, but even with all of that I think they are marvelous to behold! 

So here, (since it is 1 am and I've been working on this little family project for13 hours straight now), are some photos of what we created this day. 

The table is prepared.
(As with most memorable experiences, each of
these little things took a bit of effort to prepare.)

We started the night with Cafe Rio take-out.

Then we set to work.
First we drew on the blown eggs with pencil.

Then we melted beeswax in a special tool
and carefully drew over the areas we wanted to 
remain white.

Then dip the egg in the lightest color dye.
Ukrainian egg dyes are wonderfully bold.

This art form preceded Christianity, but 
then became an early Christian artistic and religious practice.
 Most of the shapes represent Christian symbols

The beeswax is melted in the flame of a candle.

It's always good to have a team of cheerleaders
when you're trying something new.

The egg is dipped in additional colors between wax layers. 
Wherever you apply wax the color below it will remain.
The rest of the egg will take on the next dye color.
Here's Srah's egg in the final waxed stage, ready for heat.

Here's the egg, resting on nails I hammered into
a piece of wood, in an oven set at 250.
See the wax melting off and revealing the colors of Sarah's egg?

It felt good to create together.
We told each other these were our
practice/learning eggs, so not pressure.

We stood at the oven and watched the wax melt off.
Sarah said it was symbolic that they were the
ugliest just before they became beautiful.

Thank you, our Ukrainian brothers and sisters,
for making us aware of your beauty, 
your heritage, and your faith. 
Slava Ukraini!