Introduction: Forever Easter Eggs, Two Ways

By SLO MakerSpace, Inc.
About: SLO MakerSpace offers tools, training, and consultation services that enable community members to experiment with and master a wide variety of Maker skills. We are dedicated to the following values: Commun…

Decorating wooden eggs is a fun, easy project for adults or older kids. Pyrography (woodburning) or a Dremel tool are used to create patterns and detail. Try both methods and see which you like the best!

We used:

  • Wooden egg blanks. We made some on our wood lathe, and bought some pre-made eggs at the craft store.
  • Woodburning tool. Available at the craft store for about $15. Some also have adjustable temperatures and tips that lets the tool double as a soldering iron.
  • Dremel tool with flexible shaft extension. The extension makes it the tool easier to hold, but isn't strictly necessary.
  • Paints. We used Dye-Na-Flow, a translucent paint that also works on fabrics.
  • Small paintbrush
  • Pencil for marking designs
  • Scrap wood for practicing woodburning and Dremel carving
  • Scrap of fabric to help hold your egg steady (optional, but helpful)

For design ideas, try googling "Russian Eggs" or "pysanky." The details are amazing!

Step 1: Method 1: Woodburning

Prep your workstation with your woodburning tool, making sure you're working on a surface that won't be damaged if the hot tool touches it. Let the tool heat up, and practice your lines on a scrap piece of wood before starting on your eggs.

  • First, lightly sketch out your design in pencil.
  • When your woodburning tool is fully heated, use it to trace your design. You can also make interesting patterns with the tip of the tool, creating dots or tiny raindrop shapes. It may help to nestle your egg into some scrap fabric, to help keep it steady.
  • Paint your design. Dye-Na-Flow is a very thin paint and will soak into the wood right away. You can do several coats if you'd like a darker color.

Tips for woodburning

  • Use a light touch. Holding the hot iron against the wood will create burns very quickly!
  • The woodburning tool will burn softer wood more quickly than hard wood.

Optional: Paint your eggs with a polyurethane sealant, if you want them to be extra shiny.

Step 2: Method 2: Dremel

When you use a rotary tool like a Dremel, be sure to wear eye protection and keep your fingers away from the cutting blade. A flexible shaft attachment makes it easier to hold the tool, especially when working on a rounded object like an egg.This method produces some neat textures, but can be tricky at first. Practice on a scrap piece of wood to get the hang of it.

  • Paint your egg first, and let dry.The Dremel will cut away the top surface of the egg, creating a line where the natural wood color shows through.
  • Sketch out your design on top of the painted surface.
  • Use the Dremel to carve away outlines and designs.

Some tips for using the Dremel

  • Use a new, sharp cutting tip
  • Making straight lines on the curved surface of an egg can be challenging. Watch the grain of the wood and cut more slowly when you go across the grain

Optional: Paint your eggs with a polyurethane sealant, if you want them to be extra shiny.