Decorating Blown Eggs

These beautiful eggshells can be saved for Easter, displayed all year long, made to hang on your Christmas tree, or any other creative way you can think to use them. Since you are decorating them, take a moment to think of how you want to use them and where you want to display them. Read on to find out how they can even be a sneaky air freshener.

Things You’ll Need:
Eggs (still in the shell and uncooked)
Soapy Water
Darning Needle
Bowl
Clear-Drying Glue
Acrylic Paints
Small Pieces of Sponges
Spring-type Clothespins (one for each paint color)
Paper Cups
Egg Cups
Newspaper
Clear Spray Acrylic

Step1 Wash your eggs in soapy water (I like to put a few drops of Dawn dish liquid in some water) and dry them taking special care not to break the eggs.

Step2 Take the darning needle and poke a hole in one end of the egg. Twist the needle around the inside of the egg until the yolk is broken. Turn egg to other end and poke a hole in that end with your needle.

Step3 Blow hard through the top of the egg, holding the egg over your bowl. Be careful not to get the raw egg in your mouth.

Step4 Clean Out The Inside Good At first it will be hard to get the yolk out but once it starts, it runs out fairly easy. Rinse out the eggshells and let them air dry completely before decorating.

Step5 Carefully coat the outside of the eggshell with an even layer of clear drying glue (Aileen’s Tacky Glue works well).

Step6 Spread your newspaper out over your workspace. Clip your pieces of sponges into the clothespins. I used Scotch Brite and cute a strip off the end then cut the strip into small pieces.

Step7 Pour a small amount of Apple Barrel Acrylic paint into your paper Dixie cups. Use a different cup per color. I like to use Reynolds Cut-rite wax paper instead of cups.

Step8 If you are artistic, you can paint your eggs using acrylic paint. Paint flowers, bunnies, a cross, or anything else you can draw on a small surface. If you are painting the whole egg, use your darkest color for the base coat.

Step9 If drawing on such a small surface makes you nervous, don’t worry. You can still sponge your egg giving it a marbled look. Put your egg in the egg cup. Take your clothespin with a sponge and dip the sponge end into the paint. Lightly dab the top of the egg with the sponge. Once dry, turn the egg over and dab the bottom of the egg.

Step10 Glitter Paint Once the paint is dry, I like to coat with Folk Art Brush On Glitter Paint.

Step11 Let your egg dry completely. Then carefully spray your egg with clear acrylic for a permanent finish.

Tips & Warnings

1. For a textured look, dye your egg before sponging.
2. To turn your eggs into a sneaky air freshener, put a few drops of liquid potpourri inside the egg. Roll the egg around, gently, to coat the inside of the egg. When displayed, they give off a slight scent.
3. To make an ornament, just make a loop and carefully glue a ribbon to the top of the egg. Hot glue works quick but Aileen’s Tacky Glue lasts longer.
4. Handle the eggs with great care.