Dye With a Tie--Blown Eggs

This is a continuation of "Dye With A Tie"

Dying blown eggs is challenging but worth the effort for the outcome.

Pictured are the tools I use, but don't run out and spend a bunch of money until you know you want to make more than one or two of these eggs.

The must haves are:

• Easy Release Tape
• A Push Pin
• Something to enlarge the hole to ⅛"...you can do it with the push pin by poking more holes around the original hole, but be gentle. A perfect hole is not necessary as it will be covered in the finishing process.
• A Paperclip bent to shape of the egg to insert into the hole to break the yoke and stir up the white.
• Something to blow with. You can do it the traditional way using a straw and your mouth, but most people end up blowing too hard and the egg pops (Not pretty). I use an old hair coloring bottle because it is easy to squeeze but not to forceful. Others have used an infant nasal aspirator. I have not tried that, but it should work. Gentle puffs of air is the key. It won't take that long to be gentle.
• Something to set the egg in while you work on it. I bought 2" pvc coupling pieces and cut them in half. You can also use a tiny cup 22 in a package at the Dollar Tree

As you can see in the picture I use a variable speed manicure drill. It works well for me and cost about $10.

Set your eggs out so they can warm up a little. They are ready to use when they feel cool but not cold.

Reinforce both ends by placing a 1" x 1" piece of easy release tape as close to center as you can. Easy release is a MUST. I tried to use a different tape and it left residue that was VERY hard to remove. Mark the center of the top and bottom of the egg on the tape. I have not found a way to get it dead on so eyeballing it is all I got, for now (My OCD self will find a way to get the perfect center, one day)

On the top and bottom of the egg, using the push pin, poke a hole as close to the center as you can. Gently wiggle the push pin back and forth as you firmly push the pin into the egg.

Continue making the hole larger with your push pin or use a variable speed manicure drill with a fine cone shaped bit. With the drill on low gently open the hole by slowly moving the drill in and out going a little deeper each time.

Using the bent paper clip insert it in the hole and spin it around a few times to break the yoke and loosen the white.

With the drill insert a longer finer bit (mine is pink) Inert it in the hole with the drill on medium for a few seconds.

You do not have to waste the egg, it can be frozen. I blow 2 eggs into a small container with a cover and freeze it overnight. In the morning I pop the egg out and wrap it in plastic then put several in a freezer bag for use later. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Holding the egg over the container, insert the tip of the bottle and squeeze. Pull the tip out, release the bottle to refill with air, and repeat until the eggshell is empty.

When you finished blowing your eggs the inside will need to be rinsed and disinfected.

Using the squeeze bottle to do this.

Put a couple of pumps of anti-bacterial soap in the bottle and fill with warm water.

Hold your thumb over the bottom hole and squeeze the soapy water into the egg until it is about half full.

Cover both holes and gently shake a few times and empty the egg over the sink.

Once you have washes all your eggs go back and repeat the same process with plain warm water.

Now you are ready to dye them.

Follow this link for steps to get your eggs ready for the dying process

This is a little different than the fresh eggs because the blown eggs will float.

When your eggs are ready place them in the crock pot and cover with hot water. Keep pressing one of the eggs down until the water level is about a half inch above the egg.

To hold the eggs down I use a glass lid a bit smaller than my crock pot. If an air bubble is under the glass lid tilt the lid until the bubble goes away or if there is room pour more water around the edge of the lid.

Put crock pot cover in place, plug it in and set to high for 90 minutes. Unplug and let the cool in the pot until they can be handled.

Carefully remove all the wrapping and marvel at your latest creation.

• Once the eggs are dyed they need to dry for at least 24 hours or more.
• The inside of the egg need to be sealed using a mixture of Mod Podge Hard Coat and water. 4oz of Hard Coat mixed with 1oz of water. Stir to mix. DO NOT SHAKE. Shaking makes bubbles that will keep the sealer from covering properly.
• Allow interior sealer to dry for 72 hours.
• Do a second coat and dry for 72 hours.
• You will need a way to hang your eggs to dry during the exterior coating.
• Make a loop by pushing ribbon through a flat jewelry finding and attach it with hot glue.
• Using regular full strength Mod Podge (Orange label) Brush on the first exterior coat.
• Allow to dry for 72 hours
• Lightly sand the surface with fine steel wool. A few stokes from top to bottom around the egg is enough.
• Brush on another coat and dry for 72 hours
• Repeat sanding
• Brush on a coat of Hard Coat (purple label)
• Dry for 72 hours
• Lightly sand
• Brush on a second coat of Hard Coat.
• Allow to cure for at least 7-10 days.
• Spray one coat of acrylic, if desired.

Whew! I told you it would take patience, but the end result is well worth the wait.