Making your own washi eggs

TO BLOW AN EGG

Pierce a small hole at each end of the egg with a large needle or push pin, making one hole slightly bigger than the other. Blow into the smaller hole with your mouth or a straw until all the contents are removed. You can also use a syringe (no needles please!) to push the egg out. Rinse with water and blow again to remove trapped water. Let dry for 34 hours or put in microwave for 5 seconds.

TO MAKE WASHI AND COLLAGED EGGS

Materials:

Blown chicken or duck eggs

Yuzen (origami paper) or other strong hand made paper with a small pattern

Scissors

Mod Podge glue

WASHI EGGS

1. Cut a rectangle of paper 1/4 inch larger than the circumference of your egg. Cut the paper tall enough to meet right below the top of the egg. If you are using origami paper from a package, you may need to piece the paper together.

2. Fold the paper in half and cut ? inch strips toward the fold to about 1/8 inch from the fold. If you accidentally cut through the paper, don't worry. You can simply glue both papers on the egg.

3. Cut ends of each strip to a point. It will look like a picket fence when completed.

4. Brush a ? inch strip of glue on the paper and carefully wrap the paper around the center of the egg.

5. Brush glue on a few strips (especially the tips) and the egg as well. Press paper firmly onto the egg one strip at a time making sure there are no air bubbles.

Repeat on the other side. Fill in any bald spots at the top with a few of your trimmings.

6. Consider "incubating your dreams" by writing a dream, wish or intention on a strip of paper and tucking it into the egg. Do it for yourself, a friend or loved one.

7. Brush a generous coat of glue over the egg to give a glossy finish.

COLLAGED EGGS

1. Tear or cut paper into little pieces of about ? inch. They can be different sizes, but if they're too large they won't stick easily.

2. Dilute the glue with a little water.

3. Dip paper into glue and place on egg. Overlap paper, and make patterns that please you. Cover the entire egg with your paper.

4.Once your egg is covered with paper, brush a liberal coat of glue on egg. It will dry clear, give your egg a great shine and make it stronger.

WASHI EGG CLASSES

Learn to make traditional washi eggs with special cut paper. Two-hour classes will be held at the Share Exchange, 531 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 1 p.m. March 31 and April 3, and again at 7 p.m. April 3. Cost is $35. Kits to make your own are also available for $30 or four ready-blown duck eggs for $10. To register, call 696-2009 or email Friedman through her website, barbrafriedman.com. The website will also feature a washi egg video. To purchase kits, call 696-2009.

For paper: Riley Street Art Supply, 103 Maxwell Court, Santa Rosa, 526-2416, and Art and Soul Of Sebastopol, 156 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 824-4837.

For Instructions on cleaning eggs: Visit wikihow.com/Blow-Out-Eggs.