Pysanky is an ancient and beautiful form of folk art from Eastern Europe and the Ukraine- decorating of eggs using beeswax and dyes. This art is most popular in Ukrainian or Lithuanian households near Easter time when eggs are created as gifts for family and friends. Randy's Aunt Mary created and decorated her own eggs- Randy refined his aunt's work and has mastered his own technique. We collect our duck and goose eggs from our Doberman Rescue shelter in Sandown, NH, where many injured or handicapped birds find refuge.

He begins by drawing on a plain white duck or goose egg with hot beeswax using a kistka-a tool that hot wax can be drawn onto the egg. These lines will be white when egg is dyed- then the egg is dipped in the first dye- yellow -and then dried. Then he draws the next design to remain yellow and dips the egg into the next dye bath. The process continues, alternating waxing designs and using dyes that progressively get darker. The most popular Pysanky end with the black dye. Once the black dye is dry, Randy holds the egg over the side of a candle flame and wipes off the melted wax revealing the beautifully designed multicolored egg. The final process is sealing the egg with a coating of shellac or varnish. It takes time and patience, but what a treasure when you're done!