Because each of us is an egg, a unique soul enclosed in a fragile egg. Haruki Murakami
As you can guess by the title, today I am going to talk about eggs. But not just your regular chicken eggs. I am going to talk about eggs that, in some parts of the world, are used as home décor and about eggs that are painted, hidden and hunted at Easter, in yet other parts. Why is it that some of us find these little oval objects to be such attractive ornaments?
Well, history tells us that love for decorative eggs was influenced by a Russian tradition that was started in 1885 by Tsar Alexander III. That year the Tsar wanted to gift his wife something special. Thus, he sought out master jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé and requested that Fabergé design an egg, around any theme, but that hid a surprise. On Easter, Tsar Alexander III presented his wife a simple golden egg designed by Fabergé that opened to reveal a simple yolk. Concealed within the yolk was a golden hen and, inside the hen, a diamond miniature of the crown and a tiny ruby egg. So pleased was the Tsar by his wife’s reaction to this gift that he had an egg made every year after that, until he passed. Between the years 1885 and 1917, Fabergé designed 50 such “imperial eggs”.
Some time ago, I read the history of this artistic collection and it had such an impact upon my creative soul that when I began playing with wet wool felting and needle felting, one of the first artistic creations that caught my attention were the felted eggs. Though they are by no means intended to be recreations of the extravagant Fabergé eggs, they are pretty cute themselves.
Most likely, one of the first images that comes to your mind when you think Easter is a rabbit. So my first exploration into needle-felted eggs was to create an egg with a rabbit on it. Now, one of the most difficult skills in needle felting is gauging your wool. That is, to be able to determine accurately how much wool you need for a specific design. It is a skill that takes time to acquire.
So, it doesn't surprise me that on my first attempt, I made my rabbit a bit too big for the egg but I was still very happy with how it turned out at the time. I found a photo-tutorial here that helped a lot! I was able to create the bunny egg above and the chick egg below by studying this tutorial.
You can find a video review of how I created the chick egg pictured below on my YouTube channel. The episode was titled Easter Needle Felting (2018). Click here to view it.
So, it doesn't surprise me that on my first attempt, I made my rabbit a bit too big for the egg but I was still very happy with how it turned out at the time. I found a photo-tutorial here that helped a lot! I was able to create the bunny egg above and the chick egg below by studying this tutorial.
You can find a video review of how I created the chick egg pictured below on my YouTube channel. The episode was titled Easter Needle Felting (2018). Click here to view it.
As I worked at my skills, I got a little more adventurous. The following egg was an attempt to reveal my new found connection with wool and display it all year round. Again, I think I made my sheep too big for the egg. So, to make amends... this one has two sides!
This year I am going to challenge myself to create more of a Faux Fabergé egg. My challenge is to create an egg that has a surprise within it. I have seen many versions on the Internet so the idea isn't original. But, my needle is itching to try it!
There is a video on YouTube that got me started with needle felting a solid Faux Fabergé egg. You can find it here. Below is a photo of my initial attempt. I'll admit, the new skills I acquired were more impressive than the final product. But, I think the learning experience was well worth the effort. Needle felting the egg shape itself is taught as a beginner's project in the video: there are lots of explanations and tips to help you. However, the actual egg decoration was done off screen. I'm sure I could have made a more attractive piece if we (the video host and I) had not been in such a hurry to complete the video. The host does show other completed eggs that give you an idea of additional possibilities.
There is a video on YouTube that got me started with needle felting a solid Faux Fabergé egg. You can find it here. Below is a photo of my initial attempt. I'll admit, the new skills I acquired were more impressive than the final product. But, I think the learning experience was well worth the effort. Needle felting the egg shape itself is taught as a beginner's project in the video: there are lots of explanations and tips to help you. However, the actual egg decoration was done off screen. I'm sure I could have made a more attractive piece if we (the video host and I) had not been in such a hurry to complete the video. The host does show other completed eggs that give you an idea of additional possibilities.
I also followed a photo-tutorial by The Living Felt on how to make a hollow egg. That one can be found here. The hollow egg requires wet felting. It's funny how my first experiences with felting were with wet felting or fulling. But, which I have to admit, I am not a fan. There is something about getting my hands wet that just doesn't attract me. I haven't gotten too far with this one. However, here's a sneak peak at the beginnings of the surprise that will go inside the cracked egg.!
May your life be one long extravaganza, like living inside a Fabergé egg. (adapted from a quote by
John Lahr)
I hope you all have a great April and ,especially, a very Happy Easter! We'll chat again next month! XXOO
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