My mind has been turning to my beloved pysanky more and more, recently. I think it's the start of a new year. I have identified that I really would like to be spending more time doing the arts and crafts that I love, and so I've been pondering what changes I can make in my life to try to make that happen. We all know it's not easy.
In any case, how about a glimpse of some work I finally got around to doing in the summer of 2014? I thought I'd share the finally-gotten-around-to project: Suki's Wedding Pysanky.
You'll recall that I made Wedding Pysanky for each of my two eldest siblings, when they got hitched. So it's probably going to have to be a thing.
I love to do it though. Weddings are great (you know I love weddings) — the inspiration is all there. In Suki's case, her beautiful invitation:
I did a draft egg. As with the others, this is a goose egg.
I just threw on some text in place of the happy couple's names and their wedding date. Just needed to see what I was working with in terms of color, pattern, etc…
I liked it, but it definitely needed some tweaking. I returned to her wedding photos for some more input. As you can see from her pictures below, there was SO much color and brightness. Hard to capture all of that with layers of dye!
I definitely wanted to incorporate the wedding quilt and hints of all the lovely fabric that was present on that day:
The final product:
Only in the past few years have I discovered drafting pysanky. It seems so obvious, and of course I've always been a big believer in drafting and sketching for other art projects, but for some reason I had a mental block with my eggs. I'm much better off now. You can see that I refined the palatte a bit and tidied up my white layer and fine lines in the real version.
Because one traditionally works from light to dark in pysanky, I had to wax on all the white first, and then fill in the other colors as I went. So the hardest work came at the beginning. The two side by side:
Still searching for a good pink, though. Maybe for a 30th anniversary gift?
Mrs. B. says
Gosh, you got talent, girl! I never tire of seeing your eggs.
Sukie’s reception looks such a happy occasion – all that color is simply bursting with joy… And that’s a sweet name for a church! Our parish is dedicated to St. John the Beloved, but Guardian of Our Lady is even sweeter.
Mrs. G says
Beautiful! Yes, I’m looking for ways to make more space for my own creative pursuits in my life. I love to write, but it usually requires a certain amount of solitude! An idea will strike me, or a phrase, and I feel I must write it down right away, or draft up an idea, before it leaves my brain forever, but this often interrupts regularly scheduled life. 🙂 How do others deal with the “urge” to create when it strikes? Do you always schedule time for crafts and creativity, or do you somehow make room for it when inspiration strikes?
Sarah Chepkirui says
So beautiful!
Gina Switzer says
Absolutely incredible! I’m in awe of your skill with design and color.
Esther says
This is lovely! What talent & patience! And what a treasure for your sister. How long does it take you to complete one?
Caitlin says
How lovely! Deirdre, my pysanky skills are pathetic, but I enjoy it very much. Do you order blown eggs from somewhere? I previously ordered mine from the Ukrainian Gift Shop, but it seems they no longer sell blown chicken eggs. Blowing the eggs myself is a no go just yet! Your siblings are so lucky to receive such treasures!
Rose says
How lovely! Deirdre, my pysanky skills are pathetic, but I enjoy it very much. Do you order blown eggs from somewhere? I previously ordered mine from the Ukrainian Gift Shop, but it seems they no longer sell blown chicken eggs. Blowing the eggs myself is a no go just yet! Your siblings are so lucky to receive such treasures!
Nancy says
So very beautiful and an excellent gift!
Rebecca says
Beautiful! A friend of my mom’s gave us a “wedding pysanky” for our wedding (just a small hen egg, though). She made up the design, but it has lots of symbolism, including joined rings, a house-type image, etc. It’s beautiful, despite a small crack from a curious preschooler. I love how you captured so much of Sukie’s day!
Kimberlee says
These are absolutely stunning, Deirdre! What beautiful gifts for your sisters, so full of love and symbolism. A.M.D.G.
Becky g says
Hi Deirdre, a question about logistics…I am doing some pysanky right now and wondering…how do you support your eggs while the dye dries without leaving a mark wherever the egg touches? Or if Deirdre is busy, maybe someone else has an answer? : ). Your eggs at inspiring! Thanks!
Deirdre says
Hi Becky,
Thanks for your kind comment!
I use the nail board that is in the photos. I don’t run into trouble with marks on the dye… I always gently and quickly dab my eggs dry with paper towels right when they come out of the dye as well – do you do that?