I make them every two or three years. Each time I make them they vary, depending on what I'm "into" that year.
My daughter Jossie wanted to make these with me this year. They were more challenging than she had realized. Not that it's such a difficult craft, but it does take a steady, gentle hand and a bit of patience. It's a very sticky craft. But the results are wonderful, and surprisingly durable! The paper and cloth glued inside and out makes them quite sturdy. After spending the whole evening together, Jossie and I each had five of these cute ornaments. Each one was distinctively our own.
Before beginning, assemble the following:
Large eggs
Small sharp scissors for cutting the egg shell (Embroidery, cuticle or Scherenschnitte scissors work best.)
Something to put the eggs in or hang them on as you're making them
Disposable paint brush for applying glue
White glue, decopage medium or acrylic medium
String or wire for the hanger
Wrapping paper, old calendars or cloth scraps (If you have some with small designs which can be cut out, that would be perfect; especially if you don't have the little ornaments)
Cotton balls or bits of batting
Ephemera: small ornaments, charms, or other small items for making a scene inside the egg. (I try to have tiny ornaments or little trees on hand for these. The ornaments and charms are perfect size for decorating the inside these cuties. If you don't have those on hand because you really are snowed in today, then wrapping paper or calenders with small designs will be a great stand-in.)
Using the scissors, gently tap on the egg to make a tiny hole in the top of it for putting the string through later.
Using the scissors, gently tap on the egg to make a tiny hole in the top of it for putting the string through later.
Next, make a hole on the front of the egg just big enough to insert the tip of the scissors.
Carefully cut an oval out of the front, beginning at the little puncture and working in a spiral, until you get the opening to the size you want. Empty the contents of the egg into a container to use later, if you'd like.
Rinse the egg shell out carefully. It's extremely fragile around the opening, so you have to be careful not to crush it. You'll be covering the edges up later.
Put your hanger (string or wire) through the top of the egg. Spread out the ends inside the egg and glue.
Tear the paper (or cut cloth) into small 1" strips. Coat the outside of the egg shell, a little bit at a time, with glue and apply paper or cloth. Fold the ends over the edges of the egg (from outside to inside). Then do the same inside the egg shell.
Glue some "snow" batting inside the shell. Add ephemera. Glue trim around the opening. Voila!
Some hints:
I have used bark, leaves, rose petals and pinecones as covering for the outside of the egg shell. The pink egg is covered with some paper which covered some floral soap.
If you don't have the tiny ornaments, you can use wrapping paper with tiny tree or Santa designs: Glue the paper to a piece of cardstock or other heavy paper and allow to dry. Cut it out and attach it to the inside of the egg.
You can keep it simple or make it as fancy as you'd like. You're making a treasure. No rules but one. Enjoy yourself!
