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Most of us know that things don't just wear out or fade away; they simple change their shape or form and become something else. We are always finding new uses for things we no longer need, but hate to throw away. The incredible egg is a good example. Even after the egg is eaten, it leaves a very unique container for us to use. There are many uses for these eggshells, and here are a few from my family members.

Ornament ideas from my Aunt Hattie
One of my favorite uses for eggshells is making Christmas tree ornaments. Simple punch a hole in both ends of the egg and blow out the insides. Wash well in warm soapy water and rinse. With a sharp knife or a small electric cutting tool, cut an oval in one side of the eggshell. Double a length of ribbon, thread through one hole and tie a knot to make the hanger. Place a miniature scene inside and decorate the outside, using Elmer's glue, with beads, sequins, glitter, fabric, braid, stickers, pictures, dried flowers, ribbons or what ever takes your fancy. You can even gold leaf them for an antique look. Finish with two coats of sealer.

If you wish, you can skip cutting the hole and decorate the whole eggshell. To make a hanger for this, just glue the ribbon to the egg. These hollow eggshells can also be decorated for Easter and hung by ribbons on a tree branch placed in a vase. Fill the vase with sand or small stones to hold the branch upright.

I have even seen as eggshell cut in half with a hinge glued on before being decorated. The possibilities are almost endless.

Mosaics
I learned to make lovely eggshell mosaics while watching The Carol Duvall Show years ago. It is easier to dye or paint the shells before crushing them, but if you want to use many different colors or shades and have only a few eggshells, you can paint or color them after crushing. Using a sturdy object, glue the shells onto it to make your design or picture. You can use lampshades, plates, frames and mats, cans, boxes, book covers and wood. Use your imagination and create your own unique work of art. When the project is finished and the glue has dried well, spray with a good sealer. Several coats will be best for preserving your creation.

Gardening uses for eggshells from my Mother
Mother crushes the egg shells well and adds them to her plants that love calcium such as tomatoes and roses.
She places crushed eggshells at the base of plants or at the bed borders to deter slugs from feeding on her plants.
She also crushes them fine with a rolling pin and mixes this with seeds and suet for the bird feeders.
She adds washed eggshells to her compost. This not only aerates the soil but also adds minerals to the soil.

How my Grandmother used eggshells
My grandmother added eggshells to the soil when planting tomatoes to prevent what she called "blossom end rot,"

She would place clean eggshells in the coffeepot before she sat it on the wood stove to boil, to keep the coffee from being bitter. Afterward the grounds and the shells were thrown into the garden to improve the soil.

She would place washed and crushed eggshells in her cupboard to deter ants.

She fed, washed and crushed, eggshells to her chickens to improve the shell thickness of eggs they produced.

One idea just for fun

When initiating someone into a club, blindfold them in a room where you have stacked saved egg cartons. Be sure they notice the cartons. Then lead them into a room where you have spread out a tarp covered with clean, saved eggshells. Have them walk across this. They will think they are walking on eggs. All in good fun.

Well there you have some ideas of what to do with the eggshells after breakfast. You can think of other ideas and become a recycler as you help the environment or just have fun creating.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Kay.
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