Decoupage Easter Eggs

Emptying an Eggshell

Whether you dye, paint, or decoupage your egg masterpieces, they'll last longer if you blow out the contents and remove the white and yolk, leaving only the shell to decorate.

• Egg
• Drill with 1/8-inch bit
• Sharp cuticle scissors
• Bowl
• Ear syringe
• Soap and water
• Bleach
• 1/8-inch-diameter dowel
• Masking tape

Step 1.

1. Remove the contents of the egg. Make a hole as small as 1/8 inch in each end of a hen's egg. A mini drill (like the Dremel Moto Tool shown in photo) and sharp-pointed cuticle scissors are good tools for keeping the holes small. Work over a bowl. The insides may start draining when you pierce the second opening.

Step 2.

2. Keeping the egg over a bowl or the sink, use an ear syringe to blow air into the egg and force the contents out the opposite hole. Rinse the egg with mild soap, water, and a small amount of bleach.

Step 3.

3. Slip empty eggshell onto a dowel. For decoupage, you want to avoid getting fingerprints on the eggshell, so slide it onto a 1/8-inch-diameter dowel. To prevent the egg from sliding, wrap a small piece of masking tape around the dowel just above and below the egg.