[title subtitle=”DIY: Catherine Frederick
IMAGES: Jeromy Price”][/title]
Natural Beauty
Dye eggs naturally with foods and spices (dyeing agents) from your pantry. Choose your dyeing agent. Place in saucepan with 2 cups water. If using more water, increase amount of dyeing agent. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain dye through paper towels or coffee filter into container. Submerge hard-boiled eggs in cooled dye, let soak for as little as 5 seconds or as long as overnight, depending on the depth of color you desire. Remove eggs with spoon, place on paper towels or rack to dry. Canned dyeing agents produce paler colors. Boiling the agent with 1 teaspoon vinegar produces more vibrant colors. The following dyeing agents were used for the eggs featured here: canned blueberries, canned cherries, paprika, purple grape juice, chili powder, dill seeds, coffee, red wine, yellow onion skins, pomegranate juice, pickled beet juice, turmeric, and red onion skins.
Find a detailed chart of color options and coordinating ingredients at DoSouthMagazine.com/NaturalEggs.
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Speckled
For natural cream and tan shades, submerge hard-boiled egg in a mug of lukewarm Earl Gray tea. For blue shades, add hard-boiled egg to a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 drops blue food coloring and 1 drop green food coloring. Vary the shades by varying the amount of time the egg is left in the liquid — lighter shades, less time, deeper shades, longer time. Dry eggs on wire rack. Dilute 1 tablespoon brown acrylic paint in 1 tablespoon water. Dip clean, dry toothbrush in paint mixture. Hold toothbrush 2-3 inches from egg with bristles pointed at egg. Run finger along bristles, creating a spray of paint onto egg surface. Let dry 15 minutes. Rotate egg. Repeat paint process.
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Volcano
Make baking soda paste by combining 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons water, and a few drops food coloring. Place egg in a bowl or dish with sides. Using a paint brush, paint, or dab, the eggs in a few colors of baking soda paste. Next, drip a few drops of food coloring directly on the egg’s surface. Pour a small amount of white vinegar on top of the egg and watch the “volcanic eruption” take place! Repeat the steps until you have the desired effect, and colors, on the egg. Pat dry. You may wish to wear gloves for this process!
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Kool-Eggs
Combine 2/3 cup water and 1 packet Kool-Aid. Stir to dissolve. Submerge hard-boiled egg in mixture until desired color is reached. Less time for lighter colors, more time for deeper hues.
