You don’t need much to begin, but the right tool for each job makes the difference between a clean result and a cracked shell. Here’s what each one does.

Marking

Egg markers hold the egg on a turntable while a pencil draws a perfectly level line around it — essential for horizontal cuts and bands. Templates give consistent round and oval shapes for doors and windows.

Cutting and drilling

Eggs are cut with a small rotary tool. Diamond coated discs do the cutting: smaller discs turn tighter curves, larger ones cut long straight runs more easily. Diamond burrs drill holes (for finials and hanging loops) and shape openings. Support the egg, let the tool do the work, and wear a dust mask.

Glues

Tacky glue for braid, cord, pearls, fabric linings and lightweight trims. It grabs quickly and dries clear.
Epoxy for hinges, stands, finials and anything that carries weight or moves.
Glue applicators put a fine line of glue exactly where you want it.

Paints and finishes

Bisque stains are opaque acrylics used as an undercoat and base colour. Metallics add gold, silver and bronze, and liquid pearls add pearlescent detail. Finish with a brush-on sealer in matte or gloss. Aurora glitter can go over any colour, inside or outside the egg.

Brushes

Synthetic taklon brushes suit acrylics: a round for detail, a flat for base coats, and a rake for texture.

What to buy first

If you’re starting with a pre-cut egg or kit, you only need glue, a brush and your choice of paint. If you plan to cut your own eggs, add an egg marker, a diamond disc and a template.