Easter Eggs, Natural Dyes and Essential Oils
Easter is just around the corner! And that means it’s time for the wonderful family tradition of decorating Easter eggs. Here are some of my favorite ways to get creative and keep things natural. Plus, we even have a few tips on how to incorporate your favorite essential oils into the process.
Let’s Get Creative
First thing’s first, essential oils are a great starting point for any creative project. Basil Linalool, Rosemary 1.8 Cineole, and Peppermint are all excellent choices to help promote clarity and alertness, while also providing a calming atmosphere. Or try diffusing your favorite citrus oils for a fresh, invigorating aroma that is sure to remind you of Spring!
Eggs: Hollow or Boiled?
When it comes to decorating eggs, the go-to is usually just to boil them. And hard-boiled eggs are perfect for this purpose… for a while. If you’re looking to get a longer shelf life for your beautifully decorated eggs, it’s fairly easy to hollow out your eggs. Start by poking a small hole in one end and a slightly larger hole in the other end. You can even use a toothpick to break up the yoke to make it easier to hollow them out. Then, blow through the smaller hole while holding the egg over a bowl. The contents slide right out, making lovely hollow eggs to decorate with.
Natural Dyes
If you’ve never tried natural dyes, you’re missing out! Not only can you get some truly fantastic colors, but you’ll skip using artificial dyes and coloring. Plus you might even have some of the ingredients around the house! All you need to do is simmer these foods (longer times equal deeper colors), add a little vinegar, and then soak the eggs. Check it out:
Light Blue – 1 cup blueberries
Blue – 2 cups red cabbage
Yellow – 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
Pink – ½ to 1 cup shredded beets
Purple – 1 cup red onion skins
Orange – 1 cup yellow onion skins
Brown – 1 cup of strong coffee
Green – 2 cups spinach
The richness of the dye will depend on how long you simmer the ingredients. The longer the time, the deeper the color. You’ll also be able to affect the end result by how long you soak your eggs (anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight). Just make sure to add about 2 tsp of vinegar for every cup of colored liquid before you soak your eggs.
Creating Fun Designs
The fun doesn’t stop there! You can make amazing designs like marbling, speckled, and more. One easy way is to apply melted coconut oil to the egg before you soak it. Try crinkling up plastic wrap, dipping it in the melted coconut oil and gently stamping it on to your egg to create a fun marbling effect. Or use an old toothbrush to splatter the coconut oil on your egg. You can even use paintbrushes to create custom designs! Once the coconut oil has cooled, it will prevent the dye from reaching the shell, creating beautifully intricate patterns.
Polishing it Off
Once your Easter eggs have dried and are looking absolutely gorgeous, it’s time to add some shine. And what better way to do that than to use essential oils. Use a paper towel to rub your favorite oils or favorite blend onto your eggs. Not only will you get a nice sheen, but it’s a great way to enjoy passive diffusion. Just be careful not to let the essential oils have direct contact with your skin If you’re doing the project with young ones and don’t want to use undiluted oils, you can always dilute them in a carrier oil first and continue polishing.
Happy Easter!
