Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

Time to hang the Easter eggs...

Yesterday we spent the morning making natural dye baths and the afternoon decorating and dyeing eggs. We used bees wax to add patterns then submerged them in dyes. I first saw this tradition in a book on Polish Crafts years ago - and although I have never mastered it as an art form it’s so mindful and lovely to do. You are supposed to melt the wax off the eggs, but I love to leave it on as it reminds me of enamel work somehow and I love the texture!

I saw a wonderful idea from the lovely Sophie @goldnuss how to make shapes other than dots using feathers 🪶 so I cut a small triangle and a diamond shape which turned out beautiful on a couple almost like petals (her stories show how to do it so simple)

They are ready to hang now next to our watercolour eggs from last year, this was a great step up for the little one (although she was supervised near the candle and wax)

I’m going to have a go at mixing some natural dye and watercolour with these eggs next week I think as we approach Easter and see what wonders we can create

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The dyes we used were

Avocado skins and stone - very pale blush pink - I could have left it overnight for a stronger colour and will try that this week (I was too impatient yesterday)

Blueberry - made the almost black colour on a dark egg and the lighter blue here.

Red cabbage - made the teal colour on a dark egg and royal blue on a white one when left an hour

White onion skin made the lovely yellow orange, and red onion skin made a really pale khaki green when left just half an hour.

Can’t wait to hang them...