by Jennifer Brinkle

Created on: March 27, 2007   Last Updated: October 03, 2011

Tired of the same old solid colored Easter eggs? Want to spruce up that Easter basket without spending a lot of money and entertain the kids at the same time? Well you can do both in just a few simple step using items that are already in your home.

Marbleized pattern: 

Items needed: hard boiled eggs cooled; egg dyes in assorted colors; vegetable oil.

• You may begin using a non-colored or a solid colored egg (note: if using a solid colored egg, make certain to begin with a lighter color as subsequent dipping will darken the egg).

• Stir 1 tsp oil into a cup of egg dye (note: keep dye with oil in a separate container from dye needed for solid colored eggs). Adding more oil will give you different results. Experiment to find the right amount for your taste.

• Quickly dip your egg into and out of the dye. The oil will repel while the dye adheres. Repeat as desired for a more intense color.

• Allow egg to dry completely when dipping into different colors. When the egg is completely dry, use a paper towel to blot the excess oil off the egg.

Spatter pattern:

Items needed: hard boiled eggs cooled; egg dyes in assorted colors; old toothbrush (thoroughly cleaned) or a stiff brush for stippling; popsicle stick; small empty cardboard box for work area.

• You may begin using a non-colored or a solid colored egg of any light shade.
Place your egg into the empty box (turned on its side as a shield is best). This is to protect your table, walls, and floor as spattering tends to get messy.

• Dip the toothbrush or stiff brush into the dye (use a contrasting color if using a colored egg as a base).

• Using the popsicle stick, draw the stick over the bristles (make certain to draw the stick towards you or you will get splattered and not the egg!) to spatter your egg. (Personally I prefer to use my fingers instead of the popsicle stick. It allows me more control. If you do this, make sure to wear gloves or your fingers will turn bright colors.)

• You can vary the spatters by moving your brush closer and farther away. Make certain to rotate your egg for full coverage. Repeat as desired with varying colors.

Striped eggs:

Items needed: hard boiled eggs cooled; egg dyes in assorted colors; rubber bands, electrical tape and/or string.

• If using rubber bands: randomly wrap the egg with the rubber bands and dip into color of your choice. You may add and remove rubber bands for subsequent dipping into different colors for a varied effect.

• If using electrical tape: Wrap the tape around the egg in any pattern. The dye will seep under the edges of the tape creating a varied texture. Each egg will be different.

• If using string: Wrap the egg with string and dip into your favorite color. Allow to dry, unwrap and re-wrap at will for different effects and color variations.

Drip Eggs (for abstract designs):

Items needed: hard boiled eggs cooled; egg dyes in assorted colors; rubber cement or candle wax.

• You may begin using a non-colored or a solid colored egg of any light shade.
Drizzle the rubber cement or candle wax over the egg at random and allow to dry completely.

• Dip egg into color of your choice. You may repeat drizzling and dipping into different shades to achieve varied results.

• The benefit of using rubber cement is the ability to "roll" the glue off of the egg with your fingers. Using candle wax is a bit trickier in removal. You can use the flame of the candle to melt the wax and then wipe it off however you must be careful not to use the top of the flame. Doing so could result in black oily deposits that you will not be able to remove.

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