A Simple Painted Easter Egg

One of my most prized possessions is my collection of bird eggs.  It started over forty years ago when I found a whole robins egg in the yard.  I put it in a small box, kept it warm with a light bulb and waited....and waited....and waited.  No baby robin.  The egg stayed in that box for years.  While I was away at college, after I was married and after I had children, the egg was still in that box.  During this time however, I started picking up other eggs and pieces of other eggs.  Most of the time it's half and egg; I'm assuming the baby bird has begun his new life of flight.

Understandably, collecting bird eggs is not allowed in many places around the world.  Rest assured, my entire collection has been found on the ground!  I have since found a wonderful antique box with a glass top and my collection has blossomed into a piece of unique art.

Birds are unique among egg laying animals because of the variety of color patterns and sometimes spots or speckles.  I found it interesting to know that speckling is most pronounced in songbirds!

This is a wonderful time of year to celebrate the egg by making our own speckled eggs for decoration purposes.  I chose to use old fashioned "blown out" eggs.  You may prefer a method using a syringe or straw.  Directions for safely blowing out eggs can be found here.

Once the egg is hollow, dye it using a commercial egg dying kit or food coloring.  Remember, the egg will float once it's hollow.  Choose realistic, more natural colors or go crazy with brightly colored eggs!  Once the dye is dry, it's time to "speckle" it.

Set your egg in a box such as a shoebox. 

Using dark brown (or your choice of color) latex craft paint, tap the brush over the egg (without touching it) so the paint lands randomly on the egg.

Don't touch the egg with the brush, as you want to avoid brush strokes.  Once the first side is dry, turn it over and speckle the second side. 

Let the eggs dry completely before handling.

You've done it!  You've imitated nature in a way that's perfect for your spring decor.

Attach a ribbon with glue if you'd like to hang your egg.  Nests can be found at craft stores.  Display them throughout the year or carefully pack them up for next spring.

These make wonderful gifts!