Friday Funnies

Today is Friday and who couldn’t use a little pysanka humour to start off the weekend? Credit for this one goes to ©Maria Scrivan  April 2018

#PysankaHumour

Ask us anything about pysanky—tools

Ask us anything about pysanky—tools, technique, tradition and more . . . . To share our knowledge, our team of experts draws on not only our heritage, but also over 30 years teaching pysanky to all ages and levels of experience since 1991. Today's dialogue is on on tools.

Question — Why is pure beeswax used for pysanky?

Answer – Other wax, such as paraffin, cracks easily whereas pure beeswax provides a solid seal. Baba's Beeswax sells only pure beeswax without any additives.

We believe that pysanky is a fun activity. We embrace “Panya Pysanka”, our cool, hip, and whimsical mascot character who follows us on social media to help promote pysanky.

#PanyaPysanka #AskUsAnything #JoanBrander #BabasBeeswax

Our Tuesday Tip for Candles

What’s your style of learning? is it listening (we have a podcast), is it watching (we have a YouTube channel), is it doing (we have a tutorial), is it online (we have digital resources), or is it reading (we have unique publications). Learning pysanky is easy, fun and affordable. Continuing in our FB series we have Tips and Troubleshooting for eggs, beeswax, kistka, dyes, candles, pencil guidelines, removing beeswax, emptying your eggs, varnishing your pysanky, using a drying board, displaying your pysanky and more . . . .

Today’s tip is on candles. We recommend using long-burning candles—many types burn too quickly. Tea lights are not the best as they don’t produce enough heat to melt the beeswax to a high enough temperature.

Our team has you covered. You can trust the experts at Baba’s Beeswax. Our Mission is to provide you with everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way from pysanky supplies and kits to workshops and books. Our Vision is to inspire and encourage beginners, experts, and anyone interested in Ukrainian egg decorating to discover the magic of one of the great traditions of all time—PYSANKY!

 

#BabasBeeswax #TuesdayTipsAndTroubleshooting #PysankySupplies

A Symphony of Pysanky

A musical tribute to pysanky is featured in our playful Symphony of Pysanky Collection of face masks, apparel (more than just T-shirt), gifts and novelty items for your home or office (greeting cards, mugs, etc.). Like the keys on a piano, you’ll never be out of tune and you’ll always be in harmony.

https://www.cafepress.ca/babaspysankyboutique/17219727

© Joan Brander #CafePress #pysanky #UkrainianEasterEgg #BabasBeeswax #JoanBrander

Ask us anything about pysanky—technique

Ask us anything about pysanky—tools, technique, tradition and more . . . . To share our knowledge, our team of experts draws on not only our heritage, but also over 30 years teaching pysanky to all ages and levels of experience since 1991. Today's dialogue is on on technique.

Question — What happens if I press down too hard with a kistka while writing on an egg?

Answer — It's likely that the tip of the kistka will be blocked, with no space for the beeswax to flow out. 

We believe that pysanky is a fun activity. We embrace “Panya Pysanka”, our cool, hip, and whimsical mascot character who follows us on social media to help promote pysanky.

#PanyaPysanka #AskUsAnything #JoanBrander #BabasBeeswax

Take a look. Read a book! Snowflake Eggs – How to Make Christmas Ornaments the Batik Way

Looking to make unique ornaments to adorn your Christmas decorations? Then this is the book for you: Snowflake Eggs — How to Make Christmas Ornaments the Batik Way by Joan Brander.

Chapters include:

❄️The Technique of Batik

❄️Tools and Supplies Required to Make Snowflake Eggs

❄️Using Candles Safely

❄️How to Empty an Egg

❄️How to Use a Kistka / Stylus / Tjanting

❄️Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

❄️How to Add Findings

❄️Snowflake Designs for Eggs

❄️Custom Snowflake Template (included with book).

Did you know that snowflakes have only six sides? The one of-a-kind custom Snowflake Template is used to make a basic six-sided snowflake shape with ease.

We believe that writing pysanky is fun

and have embraced "Panya Pysanka", our cool, hip, and whimsical mascot character who follows us on social media to help promote pysanky!

Our Tuesday Tip for pysanky essentials — beeswax, kistka and dyes

What’s your learning style? is it listening (we have a podcast), is it watching (we have a YouTube channel), is it doing (we have a tutorial), is it online (we have digital resources), or is it reading (we have unique publications). We’ve been doing all this and more since 1991 and this year we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! Learning pysanky is easy, fun and affordable. Continuing in our FB series we have Tips and Troubleshooting for eggs, beeswax, kistka, dyes, candles, pencil guidelines, removing beeswax, emptying your eggs, varnishing your pysanky, using a drying board, displaying your pysanky and more . . . .

Here’s a glimpse into the trio of beeswax, kistka, and dyes: use only pure beeswax with no additives, keep the kiska tip perpendicular to the egg when writing, and keep your dyes for many years by storing them in airtight jars. Now you've got everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way.

Listen to these and other tips in our podcast here.

Our team has you covered. You can trust the experts at Baba’s Beeswax. Our Mission is to provide you with everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way from pysanky supplies and kits to workshops and books. Our Vision is to inspire and encourage beginners, experts, and anyone interested in Ukrainian egg decorating to discover the magic of one of the great traditions of all time—PYSANKY!

#BabasBeeswax #TuesdayTipsAndTroubleshooting #PysankySupplies

The Magic of Pysanky

Discover the magic of pysanky in our Magic of Pysanky Collection of face masks, apparel (more than just T-shirt), gifts and novelty items for your home or office (greeting cards, mugs, etc.). Like the warmth and light of a candle flame, you’ll embrace wearing the apparel in this Collection. The unique design is also featured on a variety of gifts and novelty items.

https://www.cafepress.ca/babaspysankyboutique/17220818

© Joan Brander #CafePress #pysanky #UkrainianEasterEgg #BabasBeeswax #JoanBrander

A pysanka poem worth sharing

A pysanka poem worth sharing. Once Upon a Pysanka . . . . some literary works for Sunday reading. This poem, My Babushka’s Pysanky, by Jennifer Weigel was gleaned in 2013 from her website and reappears on her Crazy Chaotic Black Sheep blog.

My Babushka's Pysanky

Babushka, my grandmother, smiled a wide smile as she sat at the kitchen table.  Jars of bright colors peeked over old newspaper.  She patted the chair beside her and I sat down.  A basket of eggs sat in the middle of the table, along with a candle, a small pot and some sticks.  “When I was a girl, my mother taught me how to make pysanky,” she said.

“What are pysanky, Babushka?”

“Pysanky are Ukrainian Easter eggs.  We make pysanky for good luck and because it is tradition,” she said.  “Each spring we make them, just as our mothers and grandmothers did before us, and their mothers and grandmothers before them.”

Babushka held out a basket with some of the eggs she had finished.  They were very detailed with many lines and bright colors.  Some had animals on them, like birds, horses, sheep and deer.  Several others had flowers and plants.

“In pysanky, there are many symbols.  Every line means something,” said Babushka.

She handed me an egg with lines circling it.  “Lines that go around an egg make a circle.  Circles do not start or stop.  They can stand for cycles that repeat, like the seasons.”  I spun the egg in my hand and looked at the circles that the lines made.

“What about the animals?” I asked, pointing to an egg with a horse on it.

“Different animals mean different things,” Babushka said.  “Horses, sheep and cows are drawn onto eggs to bring farmers good luck.  Farmers may rub these eggs on the foreheads of their animals to make them strong and healthy!”

Babushka gave me an egg with a fish on it.  “Fish stand for good luck and good fortune.  Many stories are told where fish helped people find their way.”

“What about this one?” I asked, looking at an egg covered in triangles.

“That is a forty triangles pattern.  The triangles represent different parts of life, such as childhood, work, being a mother, and traveling.  Each triangle stands for part of a person’s life without actually showing it.”  Babushka smiled.  “The forty triangles pysanky are used for wedding gifts.”

Babushka had made so many!  Each one was a little different from the rest.  “Why do you make so many pysanky, Babushka?” I asked.

“An old legend says that as long as people make pysanky, there will be good in the world.  When we make pysanky, evil will be kept away.  But if there are few or no pysanky made, evil will be strong and bad things would happen all over the world.”

“Babushka...” I asked, “Can I come help you make pysanky next spring?”

“You certainly can, Little One,” said Babushka.  “You certainly can.

We believe that writing pysanky is fun

and have embraced "Panya Pysanka", our cool, hip, and whimsical mascot character who follows us on social media to help promote pysanky!

Friday Funnies

Today is Friday and who couldn’t use a little pysanka humour to start off the weekend? Credit for this one goes to ©Nate Fakes 2015

 

#PysankaHumour

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day or Veterans Day is recognized on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those have served in the nation’s defence. 

The team of pysanky experts at Baba’s Beeswax will take time out today to attend a Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph in our community. Our playful mascot, Guy Kistka, takes time out from his usual pranks and antics, to stop during a 21 gun salute to pay respect to those who have fallen. Lest we forget.

Click here to see his animated greeting on YouTube.

Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits, supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax:

http://www.babasbeeswax.com

If you like what you see, comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We value all feedback.

Follow us:
https://www.facebook.com/BabasBeeswax/

http://iluvpysanky.blogspot.com/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/iluvpysanky/albums
https://www.linkedin.com/company/baba-s-beeswax/

Ask us anything about pysanky—tradition and symbolism

Ask us anything about pysanky—tools, technique, tradition and more . . . . To share our knowledge, our team of experts draws on not only our heritage, but also over 30 years teaching pysanky to all ages and levels of experience since 1991. Today's dialogue is on on tradition and symbollism.

Question — What is the traditional Ukrainian pysanka symbol for christianity? 

Answer – Fish. 

For more on traditional symbols, check out our Book Preview of My First Pysanka—Symbols my Baba taught me by pysanky expert Joan Brander on our YouTube Channel Playlist.

We believe that pysanky is a fun activity. We embrace “Panya Pysanka”, our cool, hip, and whimsical mascot character who follows us on social media to help promote pysanky.

#PanyaPysanka #AskUsAnything #JoanBrander #BabasBeeswax

Our Tuesday Tip for emptying eggs

What’s your learning style? is it listening (we have a podcast), is it watching (we have a YouTube channel), is it doing (we have a tutorial), is it online (we have digital resources), or is it reading (we have unique publications). We’ve been doing all this and more since 1991 and this year we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! Learning pysanky is easy, fun and affordable. Continuing in our FB series we have Tips and Troubleshooting for eggs, beeswax, kistka, dyes, candles, pencil guidelines, removing beeswax, emptying your eggs, varnishing your pysanky, using a drying board, displaying your pysanky and more . . . .

Last week we unriddled the foul smell coming from pysanky that had exploded as a result of insufficient air circulation. Here’s a tip: empty your eggs. For a nice smooth, round hole use a high speed drill such as a “Dremel” with a round bit.

Here’s an online link from Baba’s Beeswax for further tips and hints.

Our team has you covered. You can trust the experts at Baba’s Beeswax. Our Mission is to provide you with everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way from pysanky supplies and kits to workshops and books. Our Vision is to inspire and encourage beginners, experts, and anyone interested in Ukrainian egg decorating to discover the magic of one of the great traditions of all time—PYSANKY!

#BabasBeeswax #TuesdayTipsAndTroubleshooting #PysankySupplies

Let a Pysanka Fill your Soul

Need a positive and motivational quote about the pysanka? Then see our inspirational Let a PYSANKA Fill Your Soul Collection of face masks, apparel (more than just T-shirt), gifts and novelty items for your home or office (greeting cards, mugs, etc.). Be positive and let the motivation of pysanky fill your soul in this Collection of apparel. There's also themed gifts and novelties featuring this quote.

https://www.cafepress.ca/babaspysankyboutique/17226954

© Joan Brander #CafePress #pysanky #UkrainianEasterEgg #BabasBeeswax #JoanBrander

Ask us anything about pysanky

Ask us anything about pysanky—tools, technique, tradition and more . . . . To share our knowledge, our team of experts draws on not only our heritage, but also over 30 years teaching pysanky to all ages and levels of experience since 1991. Today's dialogue is on on tools.

Question – How can I clean my kistka?

Answer – Melt the beeswax like you normally would using a candle. Turn the kistka upside down and give it a sharp strike (whack) on the side of your hand. All of the melted beeswax will come out, bringing with it the dirt and debris. Use a paper towel to protect your working surface. To clean the handle, wipe off melted beeswax with a tissue. Alternatively, use a cleaning wire to clean the funnel. 

See more in this short video in the Pysanky How To's and DIY playlist on YouTube. 

#PanyaPysanka #AskUsAnything #JoanBrander #BabasBeeswax

Our Tuesday Tip for displaying your pysanky

What’s your learning style? is it listening (we have a podcast), is it watching (we have a YouTube channel), is it doing (we have a tutorial), is it online (we have digital resources), or is it reading (we have unique publications). We’ve been doing all this and more since 1991 and this year we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! Learning pysanky is easy, fun and affordable. Continuing in our FB series we have Tips and Troubleshooting for eggs, beeswax, kistka, dyes, candles, pencil guidelines, removing beeswax, emptying your eggs, varnishing your pysanky, using a drying board, displaying your pysanky and more . . . .

Today’s tip is on displaying your pysanky, and what could happen if they are full and not emptied out. Be sure to display them where there’s sufficient air circulation. Pysanky that have not been emptied are known to “explode” and those that do have their own unmistakable smell! As heat is trapped inside your cabinet (for example), it causes the egg contents to heat and expand with nowhere to go. It happens to the best of us! You can place a small vial of baking soda placed in the area to eliminate any residual odor.

Our team has you covered. You can trust the experts at Baba’s Beeswax. Our Mission is to provide you with everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way from pysanky supplies and kits to workshops and books. Our Vision is to inspire and encourage beginners, experts, and anyone interested in Ukrainian egg decorating to discover the magic of one of the great traditions of all time—PYSANKY!

 

#BabasBeeswax #TuesdayTipsAndTroubleshooting #PysankySupplies

Live, Laugh, Love Pysanky

Live, laugh, love quote inspiring words for life in our Collection of face masks, apparel (more than just T-shirt), gifts and novelty items for your home or office (greeting cards, mugs, etc.). Inspiring words for a life full of laughter and love in this Collection featuring the pysanka. The unique design is also featured on a variety of gifts and novelties.

https://www.cafepress.ca/babaspysankyboutique/17226842

© Joan Brander #CafePress #pysanky #UkrainianEasterEgg #BabasBeeswax #JoanBrander

Our whimsical mascot Guy Kistka loves all the jack-o-lantern batik eggs made at this time of year to add to the Hallowe’en decor. Do you have any photos of yours to share? He loves to go door-to-door on October 31st for tricks and treats dressed up as Batman! Guy and the team of pysanky experts at Baba’s Beeswax wish everyone a safe adventure on this spooky night. Share his greeting on our YouTube Channel (Fun Stuff Playlist) here. Visit our website to discover the magic of pysanky kits, supplies and books published by Baba’s Beeswax: http://www.babasbeeswax.com If you like what you see, comment below. If you don't please let us know how we can make improvements. We value all feedback. Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/BabasBeeswax/ http://iluvpysanky.blogspot.com/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/iluvpysanky/albums https://www.linkedin.com/company/baba-s-beeswax/   Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/BabasBeeswax/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/iluvpysanky/albums https://www.linkedin.com/company/baba-s-beeswax/ Our YouTube Channel

Ask us anything about pysanky—how to hold a kistka

Ask us anything about pysanky—tools, technique, tradition and more . . . . To share our knowledge, our team of experts draws on not only our heritage, but also over 30 years teaching pysanky to all ages and levels of experience since 1991. Today's dialogue is on technique.

Question – How should I hold a kistka?

Answer – It is generally held like a pencil. You should hold it whatever way your motor skills make it easier for you to use. The important thing is to have the tip of the kistka perpendicular to the egg so that melted beeswax can flow out. Think of how gravity works to "pull something down".

We believe that pysanky is a fun activity. We embrace “Panya Pysanka”, our cool, hip, and whimsical mascot character who follows us on social media to help promote pysanky.

#PanyaPysanka #AskUsAnything #JoanBrander #BabasBeeswax

Tuesday Tips for pysanky — beeswax

Our Tuesday Tips for Pysanky. What’s your learning style? is it listening (we have a podcast), is it watching (we have a YouTube channel), is it doing (we have a tutorial), is it online (we have digital resources), or is it reading (we have unique publications). We’ve been doing all this and more since 1991 and this year we’re celebrating our 30^th anniversary! Learning pysanky is easy, fun and affordable. Continuing in our FB series we have Tips and Troubleshooting for eggs, beeswax, kistka, dyes, candles, pencil guidelines, removing beeswax, emptying your eggs, varnishing your pysanky, using a drying board, displaying your pysanky and more . . . .

Today’s Tip is to use beeswax that has been colored. It still smells heavenly! A dark color makes your lines easy to see on your egg. Listen to Episode 1 of our Pysanka Power Podcast “The Essentials of Pysanky Ukrainian Easter Eggs” on your favourite app or here. Here's a photo of our "technical expert", Tom, pouring coloured beeswax into molds.

Our team has you covered. You can trust the experts at Baba’s Beeswax. Our Mission is to provide you with everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way from pysanky supplies and kits to workshops and books. Our Vision is to inspire and encourage beginners, experts, and anyone interested in Ukrainian egg decorating to discover the magic of one of the great traditions of all time—PYSANKY!

 #BabasBeeswax #TuesdayTipsAndTroubleshooting #PysankySupplies