| Egg Sculpting - A Delicate and Natural Art Form |
Yes, these are real untreated egg shells
constructed primarily of calcium
carbonate and produced in their
original form by ducks, geese,
pheasants, ostriches and emu.
constructed primarily of calcium
carbonate and produced in their
original form by ducks, geese,
pheasants, ostriches and emu.
My "standard" eggs are duck and
goose egg shells cut in stencil-type
patterns. These come in a large
number of designs (roses, birds,
butterflies, etc.) on stands or
hangers. In December, some
customers display hanger-style eggs
on their Christmas tree like
ornaments. Any light hitting the egg
makes the carved areas stand out.
goose egg shells cut in stencil-type
patterns. These come in a large
number of designs (roses, birds,
butterflies, etc.) on stands or
hangers. In December, some
customers display hanger-style eggs
on their Christmas tree like
ornaments. Any light hitting the egg
makes the carved areas stand out.
The egg is a universal symbol of the
source of life. Decorated eggs and
engraved eggs have been special
traditional gifts throughout history.
Most widely recognized are the works
of Peter Earl Fabrege (1846-1920)
and the dyed and decorated eggs
assocaited with Easter. The tradition
art of egg decorating, however,
existed long before the concept of
Easter developed and decorated eggs
and eggshells remain as treasured gift
items worldwide, particularly in
Eastern countries.
source of life. Decorated eggs and
engraved eggs have been special
traditional gifts throughout history.
Most widely recognized are the works
of Peter Earl Fabrege (1846-1920)
and the dyed and decorated eggs
assocaited with Easter. The tradition
art of egg decorating, however,
existed long before the concept of
Easter developed and decorated eggs
and eggshells remain as treasured gift
items worldwide, particularly in
Eastern countries.
I don't finish every egg I start, mainly
because I'm very critical of my work
and will toss a shell if it doesn't
express my artistic intent or meet my
standards. Fortunately birds
continue to lay eggs so I can always
locate egg after egg after egg.
Perhaps the most inspiring and
satisfying aspect of this art form is
that every egg is different in its own
way and the possibilities are endless.
because I'm very critical of my work
and will toss a shell if it doesn't
express my artistic intent or meet my
standards. Fortunately birds
continue to lay eggs so I can always
locate egg after egg after egg.
Perhaps the most inspiring and
satisfying aspect of this art form is
that every egg is different in its own
way and the possibilities are endless.
My eggs are hand-cut and sculpted
with a high-speed drill that revolves
at over 400,000 RPMs, dental burs
and sanding disks. No laser
technology is applied. I do not paint
the eggs as I am striving for a natural
look, not an artificial one. With the
exception of soaking the carved egg
shells in bleach to remove organic
material, no other substance is
applied except a UV protectant spray
on carved emu eggs to keep the vivid
teal color from fading in natural light.
with a high-speed drill that revolves
at over 400,000 RPMs, dental burs
and sanding disks. No laser
technology is applied. I do not paint
the eggs as I am striving for a natural
look, not an artificial one. With the
exception of soaking the carved egg
shells in bleach to remove organic
material, no other substance is
applied except a UV protectant spray
on carved emu eggs to keep the vivid
teal color from fading in natural light.
I enjoy carving Filligree and scroll
patterns into goose, duck and
partridge eggs. The egg shells look
like lace when finished with more
open space than remaining shell.
patterns into goose, duck and
partridge eggs. The egg shells look
like lace when finished with more
open space than remaining shell.
Goose eggs are oval, ecru white and
generally about 4" tall, duck eggs are
more round, slightly smaller and
bright white, and partridge eggs are
less than 2" tall, very fragile and
golden brown. I strive to get my cuts
as clean, smooth and close as
possible, Carving in this manner
provides a true challenge because
the shell becomes more fragile with
each delicate cut. Just holding an
egg that is almost finished is a task
in itself. Completing one gives me
great joy. All eggs carved in this
style are glued onto a stand and
displayed under a dome to protect
them from human contact and other
destructive elements.
generally about 4" tall, duck eggs are
more round, slightly smaller and
bright white, and partridge eggs are
less than 2" tall, very fragile and
golden brown. I strive to get my cuts
as clean, smooth and close as
possible, Carving in this manner
provides a true challenge because
the shell becomes more fragile with
each delicate cut. Just holding an
egg that is almost finished is a task
in itself. Completing one gives me
great joy. All eggs carved in this
style are glued onto a stand and
displayed under a dome to protect
them from human contact and other
destructive elements.