Decorating Easter eggs isn’t just child’s play—there are many creative egg decorating methods that can transform an ordinary object into a stylish work of art.

Pysanky
These traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs are elaborately decorated using a wax-resist (batik) method.  Beeswax is melted into a special writing tool called a “kistka” which is then used to draw the design onto the egg. The egg is placed into a colored dye bath which covers all areas of the egg shell that have not been protected in wax.  This process is then repeated with subsequent wax applications and darker dyes; each application of wax protects the previous dye color.  When the last color has been applied, the multiple layers of wax are melted to reveal the final intricate pattern.

Read more about the Pysanky art form.

Dyeing Techniques
Some simplified egg dyeing techniques use vinyl adhesive tape, stickers, or leaf clippings instead of wax for elegant masked designs.

Decoupage
Another easy egg-decorating process, decoupage, involves gluing decorative papers onto eggs.  Origami paper, tissue paper, and even printed paper napkins make excellent material to use to decoupage eggs.

Tissue paper eggs via Martha Stewart

Embellished Egg Ornaments
Ribbons and trimmings make lovely embellishments for an otherwise plain egg.  Glue a loop of ribbon to one end and eggs can be hung as ornaments from an arrangement of pussy willow branches.