ART-Felt Learning- Egg Shell Mosaics

I still remember the woman who stood behind my grandparent’s orange rod iron gate when I was nine. She wore a long skirt with brilliant colors and a shaw wrapped around her body with a baby peeking it’s little head out like a giant necklace. There was a small barefoot boy with dirty skin standing next to her. They wanted water and handed me a filthy container. She didn’t speak to me in words but without hesitation, I took their container and ran with it into my grandparent’s mansion of a house. What happened next, haunts me to this day. The maid looked at me in disgust and filled the bottle with water. It was muddy and I knew it wouldn’t have taken any time at all to wash it first. I stole bread from the morning and two oranges. The woman was so happy and grateful and I was grossed out.

That day was a blessing in a way. It created a desire to give others more than they expect. We can teach our children the same by setting a good example. My children and I would play what we called the relative game. What if that person was your mom? Pretend that they are your little sister or brother. Remember, a heart beat sounds the same the world around.

Helpful Tips:

l. Use uncooked eggs, brown as well as white. (Boiled eggs aren’t suitable)Crack eggs then peel the first two layers of skin, rinse with cold water.

2. To dye eggs, use Easter egg dye or food coloring. If using food coloring, soak eggshells longer. Dry on towels.

3. Glue the shells onto thick cardboard or preferrably, old game boards that can be found in thrift shops as these don’t warp.

4. Glue the shells in small sections, breaking the shells with your finger tip or nail, then spread apart with a needle or a toothpick.

5. Use Elmers, Yes or Weldbond glue.

6. You will need to protect your finished mosaic with two – three coats of clear varnish. Water based varnishes are less likely to yellow in time than oil based varnishes.

Bigger Kids and Adults:

After dying eggshells, paint with a watered down glue, sprinkle metallic powders on top. For a faux tile that can be applied directly on walls, pour a resin on top called : EnviroTex Lite (pour-on high gloss finish) that can be purchased at any craft store. Nobody will believe you that they are eggshells!