Pysanky

I love Pysanky! This ancient Slavic art was mostly popularized in Ukraine, but I hear from people with roots in Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, etc about their grandmother's doing this craft.

This year I was very fortunate to offer this amazing activity in four different settings, including our farm, Talent Maker City, Artemisia Institute and Siskiyou Middle school elective class.

Many participants were learning about Pysanky for the first time and I am always impressed that finished eggs are turning out just beautiful!

There is a lot of meaning in the symbols, colors and arrangements of patterns on the egg... Historically Pysanky were created and used as gifts, including birthday or wedding wish, also prayers and meditations.

Pysanky are made by using special tool called Kistka, piece of beeswax and colorful dyes. Candle is involved in melting wax for creating design, as well as removing wax from the finished egg to reveal the layers of colors!

Some people are frustrated when the decoration process is not going the way they want, or dye turns out the wrong color, or especially when almost finished eggs slips and breaks! ... This is the ultimate tool to practice letting go, embracing the process of harmonious imperfection, of working with the live form (egg) using elements of fire, water and earth!