One of the things that I enjoy most about what I do, is sharing my story and my craft.
There are many people that I come in contact with that have never seen anything like the pieces I produce or have never heard of this art form. They have no idea how they are made.
Generally I start at the beginning. People are drawn to the pieces and like little children, they want to touch or hold the ornaments or pieces because they don't believe their eyes. I often lead off with "Yup, these are real eggs!" They are shocked. "Really?" You bet.
I encourage people to pick them up (gently of course) and explain that they are all real eggs that have been emptied out. Sometimes I explain that process and correct people in their mistaken assumption that the insides are sucked out (physically impossible as the egg would implode).
I get into the next part where many people mistakenly think that my ornaments or pieces are painted. Sometimes I start with the explanation of the name of my business (Wax On Wax Off Creations) as a way to plant the seed of the use of wax in their minds. I go into the process and explain how each egg is written on with wax and then progressively dyed darker, with wax being applied after each application of dye so as to protect that color. Then at the end, all the wax is melted off and the final product is revealed.
I show people a kistka, the stylus that is used to apply beeswax (which is the champion and work horse of the art) and will often have partially completed eggs available for people to touch. Again because they don't believe their eyes and somehow need to feel the wax beneath their finger tips to convince themselves I am not pulling their leg.
"Where did you learn this?" or "Where did you even find out about this?" are common questions. I tell them about my introduction to this art form 20+ years and how I was fascinated by it and then didn't pick up a kistka for probably 12 years. But then when I did start, I haven't been able to start. We chuckle when I confess to how many blank canvases I have stacked around my house (I will just say this.....hundreds and hundreds!)
"How long does it take you to make one egg?" is one of the most common final questions. I understate it more often not as honestly I rarely keep track of time. I tried it once when making a three piece nativity set. The initial application of wax took 43 minutes for 3 eggs (which was pretty impressive to be honest).
The making of art is one of those fascinating and timeless things where you lose yourself. I love talking about it and love the challenge of trying to somehow create that one piece that will speak to a person all on the odd shaped medium that is an egg shell.
I plan to share more. Much much more but thank you for starting this journey with me so far.