Egg decorating — often called egg artistry — turns a blown eggshell into a keepsake: a jewel box with a hinged door, a musical egg, a carriage or a scene with miniatures inside. It looks intricate, but it breaks down into a handful of steps, and you can start as simply or as ambitiously as you like.

Start with a goose egg

Goose eggs are the most popular egg for beginners. They are big enough to hold a hinge, a lining and a small figure comfortably, strong enough to handle, and far lighter and cheaper than emu or ostrich eggs. Once you’re confident, duck and guinea fowl eggs suit small, delicate pieces, while emu and ostrich eggs suit larger, heavier designs. See our guide to choosing eggs for egg art.

Kit, pre-cut egg or from scratch?

A kit is the easiest start. Ours come with the egg already cut and hinged where the design needs it, a colour photo of the finished piece, step-by-step instructions, and the findings and trims. You add glue.
A pre-cut egg removes the hardest step — the cutting — but leaves the design to you. Choose the cut (horizontal, curved, pram, peaked, oval or scalloped) and we cut and hinge a medium goose egg.
From scratch means marking and cutting your own egg. It needs a rotary tool and some practice, and gives you complete freedom.

The basic tool kit

Egg marker — holds the egg and draws an even line around it, so your cut is level.
Rotary tool with a diamond coated disc — cuts the shell cleanly. Smaller discs follow tighter curves; burrs are for holes and shaping.
Templates — for consistent oval and round doors and windows.
Glue — tacky glue for braid, pearls and fabric; epoxy for hinges, stands and anything bearing weight.
Brushes and paint — bisque stain as a base colour, sealer to finish.

Cutting eggshell makes fine dust, so work somewhere well ventilated and wear a dust mask and eye protection.

The steps

Clean and dry the egg. Blown eggs should be rinsed and fully dry inside before you start.
Mark the design. Use the egg marker for the cut line and a template for doors or windows.
Cut. Let the disc do the work; go slowly and support the egg.
Hinge. Fit the hinge across the cut so the lid or door opens cleanly, and add a latch if the design closes.
Paint and line. Paint the outside (and inside if you like), then line the inside with velveteen or lamé.
Trim. Braid covers the cut edge and hides where the halves meet. Rhinestone chain, pearls and filigree findings add detail.
Finish and display. Add a finial on top, a miniature inside, and set the egg on a stand sized to it.

Where to go next

Browse the egg art gallery for ideas, then choose a kit or put together your own supplies. If you’re unsure what you need, phone us with your plan and we’ll help.