Eggceptional Easter
by Howard Stamato
Background:
At Easter we remember the resurrection of Christ from the grave. So why do we have this fascination with eggs? The egg is an ancient symbol of new life and has often been used to represent Christ emerging from the tomb. (
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
)
Objective:
In celebration of the new life of Easter and the new life we will have when this pandemic passes, here are some tips for decorating eggs so that you can photograph them and send them to St. Martin’s to post.
We may be social distancing but our connection in a shared activity, which will all be beautiful no matter what they look like - just as we are, will bring us together no matter what virus is out there.
Materials and Methods:
The materials needed depend on the method that you will use, so materials are listed by technique.
Preparation:
This could get messy! So, lay out a cloth, plastic or foil to protect your work surface. Have a sponge, paper towel or dishcloth for spills. Some disposable cups will be needed to hold the dye. You will also need spoons to dip the eggs in the dye. A cooling rack to dry the eggs. If you use the egg container poke some toothpicks into the depression for the eggs. That way when you put the egg back in, it will only touch the tips of the toothpicks and not smear on the sides of the container.
Preparing the Eggs
Put the eggs in a single layer in a pot where they will have plenty of room around them. Fill with cold water until the water is at least an inch over the eggs. Heat to a boil, turn the heat off and let stand 15 minutes. Drain the water and chill the eggs to room temperature.
Dyeing
The basic methods of dying an Easter eggs are to infuse the shell with a food safe dye, so the eggs can be eaten afterward. If you use anything else but a food safe dye, you can still color the egg – just don’t eat it.
The shell of the egg is made of calcium carbonate. This is the same material that makes up limestone or oyster shells. The microscopic structure of the calcium carbonate on the egg is different than those materials, it has lots of pores. In dying the egg, those pores absorb the dye by dissolving it with vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will “bite” into the eggshell and help the dye penetrate.
Commercial Kits
The easiest way to get this combination of food safe dyes is to buy a kit at the store. The kit may also come with holders for the eggs and other materials for decorating. Follow the directions on the box to mix the dye solutions and dip the eggs.
Alternate Ways of Dyeing
If the pandemic has you home, some food coloring you might use in baking and some vinegar will do. Just fill a cup that will fit the entire egg and still have room to the half-way point with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar (cider vinegar or red vinegar would do, but this will affect the color) and 3 parts water. Make one cup for each color. Add food coloring to the cup until the color is darker than what you would wish from the egg. In a pinch tea, herbs (chamomile), colored foods (grape jelly, carrots), can be used for the coloring but it will be lighter than a commercial dye.
Dip the eggs in one or more colors as you would with one of the commercial kits until the egg is decorated the way you wish.
Drawing and Painting
Use a clear or white crayon or even a candle to draw a design before dipping the egg into the various dyes.
In a more sophisticated, yet related technique you can make a design with the crayon that has different sections. Then put on some gloves to protect your hands from the dye and use a brush or small sponge to paint the different sections in different colors. The wax from the crayon or candle will keep the colors separate.
Of course, colored crayons could be used to just color the egg. Color as you would a piece of paper. Press gently or the egg will crack, so a light touch is best.
At the next level of difficulty is painting with melted crayon or candle. Using just the tip of one tine of a fork dipping it in colored crayon or candle can leave a very fine line on the egg. This can be used for making complex designs or pictures.
Food coloring or concentrated egg coloring and a fine brush will work on the egg much like painting with watercolors.
Of course, you could just use an acrylic or oil paint, but then don’t eat the egg.
Summary:
The most important thing is to enjoy this. To do it with others, if you can safely, and share it with others safely online. Each egg is unique and beautiful, just like us.
Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,
