Eventually I plan to make a large piece of eggshell art. I found this acrylic frame with linen backing that I think will be perfect (although I’ll admit it’s kind of expensive – any ideas for a cheaper source?). But I had quite a few IKEA shadowbox frames in the basement, so I decided to take some of my painted eggshells and make this mini for summer decorating. To be honest, painting eggshells is incredibly fun so I think I’ll probably be making a lot of these – big and small.
Alcohol ink loves a smooth surface and while I was worried the egg shells might be too porous, the alcohol ink swirled beautifully and created the kind of ethereal designs I had in mind. Painting the egg shells with acrylics worked too, but the result was more vivid and opaque. They looked more painted, basically. But if that’s what you have on hand, that works too! I’d suggest watering them down a bit more than I did, if you like the watery aesthetic of my egg shell art. Here are some of my first painted egg shell experiments, using acrylic paints:
Alcohol inks, on the other hand, sort of fuse with the egg shell and you can’t tell where the natural color of the egg shell (most of mine are aqua, inside and out) end and the ink begins. Next I’ll experiment with watercolors, but for now I’m enjoying using alcohol inks – and I highly recommend investing in some metallic inks because the shimmer and sparkle look so good. My favorite is Pearl, which I used on so many of my painted egg shells as a shimmery top coat or to dilute the color. I actually used an entire bottle and had to order more!
I’m also still experimenting with how to seal them. I considered mod podge and also the sealant I use for my alcohol ink projects (this one). But I happened to have SO many cans of Watco Clesr Lacquer, so I decided to experiment and try that. It worked perfectly to give the egg shells a little extra gloss and durability, but if you need to buy something for this project, I recommend either mod podge or the Krylon. But if you’d an avid DIYer like me, with tons of cans of various varnishes and sealants, don’t be afraid to use what you have on hand. They’re just egg shells, after all!
Start by rinsing out your eggshells to get rid of any egg residue inside. Arrange shells on a baking sheet and bake at 150°F for about 10 minutes or until completely dried out. This step helps to ensure that the eggshells are sterilized and free from any lingering bacteria.
Don’t Forget to Pin For Later!
This week I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for the Summer Seasonal Simplicity Series: DIY/Craft Project Hop. Be sure to check out all of the creative summer DIY ideas by visiting the links under the s below.
DIY Crate Succulent Planter at The Happy Housie
Poppy and Fern Front Door Planters at Inspiration for Moms
DIY Beaded Garland at She Gave it a Go
DIY Tic Tac Toe Board Game at Modern Glam
Summer Decoupage Concrete Coasters at Tatertots and Jello
Popsicle Stick Picnic Tables at Clean & Scentsible
Summer Basket Wreath from a $3 Thrift Store Find at Confessions of a Serial DIYer
DIY Custom Hoodies for Summer Fun at Rambling Renovators
DIY Pedestal Bowl at Paint Me Pink
Dollar Store Hacks at Hallstrom Home
DIY Velvet Mushroom Cap at Life is a Party
Free 4th of July Printable at My Sweet Savannah
DIY No Sew Outdoor Tablecloth or Picnic Blanket at A Pretty Life
DIY Egg Shell Art at Dans le Lakehouse
You may also enjoy:
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How To Clean / Prepare Eggshells For Craft Purpose/ Jesi Handicraft &Classic Kanyakumari Recipes
FAQ
How do you clean egg shells for art?
Should egg shells be washed?
How do you clean egg shells for crafts?
Before you begin, it’s important you learn how to clean egg shells for crafts: Wash the egg shells gently but thoroughly with dish soap and water. Use a cotton pad with vinegar to rub oils and dirt off the egg shells. Let dry. Remove the membrane. Your eggshells are ready for crafting!
How do you clean a cracked egg shell?
Wash the egg shells gently but thoroughly with dish soap and water. Be careful not to crack the eggs if your project requires the shells stay intact Use a cotton pad with vinegar to rub oils and dirt off the egg shells. Again, be gentle. Let dry. Remove the membrane. This is easiest to do with cracked shell pieces. It should come right off.
How do you get dirt off egg shells?
Everyday household vinegar is fantastic at getting nasty dirt and grime off of egg shells, however, some anecdotal evidence suggests leaving eggshells in vinegar for a few hours will start to erode them! Therefore, it’s a really good idea to be gentle when applying it to your shells for crafting. Grab a cotton pad or two and lightly dab in vinegar.
What can you do with eggshells?
Here is a list of 11 eggshell crafts that you and your kids can create together. Eggshells (you can wash the shells and use them as decorations if you want) Paint (acrylic paint works best here, but any kind of paint will do) With this project, you’ll learn how to make a candle holder using egg shells.