"I am passionate about the rich tradition of Ukrainian egg decorating, known as *pysanky*. Born and raised in Ukraine, I see pysanky as more than just art—it is a way to preserve and celebrate my cultural heritage in a modern world. Each egg I create is a tribute to the resilience of Ukrainian folk art, and my mission is to guard, reproduce, enhance, and share this tradition with others.
My journey with pysankarstvo began as a cherished hobby and quickly grew into a lifelong passion. Since 2022, I have been teaching master classes, introducing students of all backgrounds to the beauty of pysanky. In 2023, I founded the *Pysanky Club* in Massachusetts, creating a space for enthusiasts to gather, learn, and create. In 2024, I expanded my efforts by launching an online *Pysanky Club*, connecting Ukrainians and pysanka lovers worldwide to continue this sacred tradition.
As an experienced instructor, I have taught pysanky in community education centers, Ukrainian schools, and cultural institutions. I am always exploring new aspects of this art—researching pysanky symbolism, experimenting with natural dyes, and learning techniques from contemporary pysankari in Ukraine and beyond. My workshops are open to everyone, from beginners to experienced artists, and I love sharing the magic of *pysanky* with all who are eager to learn.
website: https://pysankyclub.com/
email: alona.popova.mrs@gmail.com
facebook: Alona Popova
instagam: @a_anatoliivna
"Step into the enchanting world of traditional Ukrainian crafts as we create a “Pavuk” (Spider) from wheat straw. This intricate decoration, deeply rooted in authentic folk traditions, is more than just an ornament—it symbolizes the universe and is believed to bring family happiness.
In this workshop, participants will learn the techniques to craft a pavuk composed of octahedrons, representing harmony and connection. We will embellish our pavuky with pysanky eggs, feathers, beads, and other decorative elements, celebrating unity and shared traditions.
By combining two iconic Ukrainian folk art techniques—pysankarstvo and wheat straw crafting—this workshop provides a meaningful and creative experience. Participants will leave with a beautiful handmade decoration they can use to prepare for the holidays or to adorn their spaces year-round. "
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: wheat straw size S natural colors, wheat straw size M natural colors, wheat straw size L natural colors, threads, glue, decoration elements, and printed materials..
You should bring: A finished Pysanka with traditional design ready for implementation as a part of the decor, Shoebox/ craft paper bag, or any other storage to travel their pavuk home safely.
Finished pysanky will be available if you choose not to use your own. They will be available for an additional $20. Please let instructor know in advance.
To Register:
Contact: alona.popova.mrs@gmail.com
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
12 person maximum
I was first introduced to Ukrainian Easter customs and Pysanka writing as a child, sitting around the stove and creating Lemko pysanky (drop-pull style) in the weeks before Easter. I was born “in the old country” and when I was 7, we immigrated to the USA, to Yonkers, NY. Being an active participant in the CYM Ukrainian organization, I learned how to write pysanky with a kistka, and it has been a passion ever since. I love sharing the traditions and deeply rooted customs almost as much as the art itself. I recently learned to make eggshell jewelry, and the love affair continues, adding Pysanka Jewelry to my line of creations. I love attending craft shows, teaching workshops and doing custom work in both jewelry and pysanky, to help create the perfect blend of tradition and customized taste. I live in Yardley, PA with my husband Emil and two cats, Zena and Zoe. I also have two grown sons. Since I do not have any daughters, it has become their responsibility to learn their tradition, so that they can continue to pass it down. (PS - I now have a new daughter-in-law, and am excited to share this tradition with her). I am honored to be a teacher at this new retreat and sharing my love of Lemko-style pysanky with anyone who will listen. I look forward to reuniting with old friends and making new ones, because I believe that “Happiness is finding people who are YOUR kind of crazy.”
website: www.PysankyByBasia.com
email: basia@pysankybybasia.com
facebook: PysankyByBasia
instagam: @PysankyByBasia
"If you have never tried Lemko pysanky (because they are too ""easy"") or if hou have tried them and gave up frustrated (because they are ""not easy""), then this class is for you.
We will discuss
+ what are “Lemko” or “Drop Pull” Pysanky
+ charactereistics of several varieties – we will focus on the Lemko Pysanka, (wax off )
+ design ideas & color ideas to make this style Pysanka balanced and pleasing
+ tools and supplies that I use
+ factors that affect line shape, size and uniformity of the dots and commas
This will be a hands-on class, so you will get to try the technique, with supervision of how to correct issues. I will provide tools and materials for students to try some of the tips discussed. Notes will be provided as a handout.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: an egg and all the materials and supplies for the lemko drop pull style. Handouts will be provided for use in class and to take home
You should bring: students can bring 1 or 2 eggs, white or brown, and 1 "stroke practice" egg. (can be cracked, imperfect, etc)
To Register:
Contact: basia@pysankybybasia.com
Cost: $30 ($20 + $10 materials fee per person)
12 person maximum
"Pysanka Mosaics are created from fully decorated pysanka eggshells that are either broken or cut and then reassembled on a flat medium to create a new work of art.
A coating of epoxy provides a finished look and protects the pieces of the composition.
For this year’s workshop, a variety of prepared wooden forms will be provided to create an ornament. Shapes may include birds, bees, round, stars and others.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), UV Light, UV Resin, Prepared Wood form, Broken Pysanky, Glue, Tweezers, Nippers, some flush clippers, some needlenose tweezers, paper plates, gilding pens (Paint markers), hanging ribbons/ hanging cord
You should bring: a special pysanka you may want to use (this is optional, as I will provide some), your own cutters or tweezers, if you have them (I will provide some)
To Register:
Contact: basia@pysankybybasia.com
Cost: $30 ($20 + $10 materials fee per person)
12 person maximum
My name is Bonnie Deprez. I grew up with my grandmother, who was born in Ukraine. She never wrote Pysanky, but I had opportunity to see some and quickly fell in love with the art. I bought a starter kit at Surma when I was 16, and taught myself this beautiful art. Now, after 47 years, I love to share what I know with others. I am retired now, and spend my time teaching, writing, and learning about Pysanky
email: lovepysanky@gmail.com
facebook: love.pysanky
Learn how to use different dye concentrates and techniques for achieving beautiful results
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), Egg or prepared egg, Brushes, dye tin, mini jars
You should bring: Egg, Pencil, Kistka, Beeswax, Magnifier if needed
To Register:
Contact: lovepysanky@gmail.com
Cost: $30.00 ($20 + $10 materials fee)
12 person maximum
I learned to write pysanky at Polish Art Center in 2019, where my wife Gabrielle and I took one of their introductory classes during Easter. I do not have any Ukrainian or Polish heritage in my family, however my wife's family has ancestors from Chernihiv, Ukraine.
My heritage is primarily French, and in the summer of 2022 Gabby and I took a trip to Paris and the Loire Valley for vacation. I had been looking for inspiration to create my own pysanky designs, and I finally found that inspiration in France! I toured the Cluny Museum of the Middle Ages, and I found dozens of designs that I thought would make excellent elements in a pysanka. I've started to create my own designs based on the art I found that represents my heritage. In this way I hope to find my own niche that represents me, while respecting the origins of pysanky.
I have also pushed myself by writing designs from the late Taras Horodetsky, and I've found that challenging myself with his works has greatly improved my writing abilities.
email: mozbrad@gmail.com
facebook: brad.foucher
I fell in love with Travlenky - eggs that have been waxed then etched with acid - after seeing the magnificent creations of Tetiana Konoval. Her depictions of Ukrainian villages done simply in subtle shades of brown on a chicken egg are absolutely beautiful!
What could be easier? Wax a design on a brown chicken egg, then soak it in vinegar. Well my first attempt was a disaster! I used a grocery store egg and learned how thin they are by etching all the way through to the membrane. In this class we will learn how NOT to do that!
We will learn about the different acids that are used to etch eggs for Travlenky, and talk about the factors that impact how fast they etch. We will talk about how to choose your egg to avoid ruining them. I will focus on brown chicken eggs, but we can also talk about etching other eggs such as ostrich, emu, and goose eggs, and we will even discuss different kinds of chicken eggs. We will then talk about how to use acid to achieve multiple shades of brown to create beautiful art.
The design I will teach will feature Roman Seniuk, a pysankar who lived here in Hamtramck, Michigan, and whose eggs can be seen at the Ukrainian American Archives & Museum of Detroit. Roman passed away in April 2019, and left behind scores of unique pysanky, using complex divisions and elements that are rarely seen elsewhere. While Roman worked (almost exclusively?) in pysanky (batik and dye), we will discuss transforming these designs into the shades of brown that Travlenky are known for.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), 1 brown chicken egg ready for you to work on, tools for etching (that you can keep). All other supplies for etching be provided.
You should bring: Pencil, Kistky (with tips #1, #0, and perhaps #00 if you have it), Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax, Measuring tape with millimeters, Magnifying lens with light (suggested) or any magnifying equipment you regularly use.
To Register:
Contact: mozbrad@gmail.com
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
12 person maximum
Learn how to utilize the traditional 48 triangle motif into a colorful new way to play with triangles!
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), Egg or prepared egg.
You should bring: Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax
To Register:
Contact: heatherromanishin@hotmail.com
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
10 person maximum
When I was very young, it attended a Pysanky Class at a local church with my cousin. I did not write any eggs, but I watched. Not long after that, I took my first class from a local artist named Pauline at a rec center. From her, I learned the basics of writing eggs.
Over the years, I still practiced the art but not venturing too far from the basic designs. Which means that I did not write more than 2 to 3 designs for YEARS. After a brief hiatus while I was in college and starting life, I started to attend classes at the same church that introduced me to the craft. There I learned I could use a pencil (game changer) and that I could empty eggs prior to writing them. With this knowledge, a new world was opened up and I was able to move on for the 2/3 designs I had been doing.
I do not write pysanky year round but I would like that to change. I have expanded the craft room that I shred with my mother to include my pysanky supplies. She recently passed and still using this room to craft allows me to still feel close to her. I love the art and find it to be a stress reliever from life. With my time away from egging, I am a District Manager for Dollar General. I have a side hustle, selling dog treats and primitive crafts at craft shows. Plus, I spend time with my fur-children, Luci, Lettie and Lola.
email: jennifer.pynkala@yahoo.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.pynkala#
In this class you will learn to create a “Baba Pysanka” reminiscent of the nesting dolls. We will learn the basic design elements; face, outfit, and designs that you can add to bring out your Baba’s unique personality. I want to give you inspiration on how to make each Baba special. Once you make one, you will love to make some for personalized gifts or a unique collection all your own.
I will provide an egg and handout. I will also have brushes and supplies during class. Just bring your imagination, kistka, wax, measuring device and a pencil.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), Egg or prepared egg, Suction cup for face.
You should bring: Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax, Measuring tape with millimeters.
To Register:
Contact: jennifer.pynkala@yahoo.com
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
10 person maximum
Jon Ball (aka JB) discovered his passion for pysanky in 2019 through a community workshop in Calgary. What started as a casual interest quickly grew into a fervent hobby, with Jon creating several pysanky each year, culminating in his dedication to crafting them year-round by 2021. Residing in Banff, Alberta, Jon draws inspiration from his picaresque surroundings, often exploring the natural beauty of the area with his partner Susan and their dog, Panque (affectionately known as Pancake). A background in pure maths and mapping seems to have been a good foundation for a fledgling Egger. This will be his third pysanky retreat – the first two were right here at Soyuzivka, in 2022 and 2023. 2024 got off to an unusual start for JB, with a diagnosis and subsequent treatment of tonsil cancer!
email: jonball@email.com
facebook: Jonathanball612
instagram: @jonathanball612
Exploring some ideas about geometrical design, we will take a two dimensional design and adapt it to fit nicely on an eggshell. Then we’ll make it Groovy!
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), Egg or prepared egg, Dividing sheets, elastic bands, measuring tape
You should bring: Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax
To Register
Contact: jon.ball@banff.ca
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
12 person maximum
I am the mother of 4 wonderful adult children and the proud grandmother of three darling boys and a precious baby girl. I work as the Director of Student Services at a local Catholic college. I started writing pysanky back in Lent of 1991, when a Ukrainian friend of mine invited me to an egg “play date” at her home, and I was immediately hooked. For many years I did eggs all on my own or with my children during Lent, using books and catalogs for inspiration. In the spring of 2011 I was delighted to discover the online pysanky community, from which I have learned so much! I now write pysanky year round in my “spare time”, and love how peaceful and relaxing I find it. I particularly enjoy knowing that I can offer my egging time as a prayer for the intentions of the recipient, adding a spiritual dimension to this art that I love.
email: k.t.m.hanlon@gmail.com
facebook: karen.hanlon.71
Learn how to create the effect of fancy decorated gingerbread cookies on eggs using white and colored waxes. The class will cover the making of the wax mixture and techniques for application, as well as design ideas and a variety of variations to use for different occasions.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), white and colored waxes, varnish
You should bring: Brown egg divided into the basic 8 division, Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), kistka cleaning wire
To Register
Contact: k.t.m.hanlon@gmail.com
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
12 person maximum
In this class you will learn two methods of creating stained-glass style pysanky, as well as shading techniques to give the "glass" a translucent look.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), black wax for "leading", use of concentrated dyes for shading, lots of patterns to choose from sized for chicken and goose eggs
You should bring: Please bring either a chicken or a goose egg divided in the basic 8 division., Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax, fine paintbrush
To Register
Contact: k.t.m.hanlon@gmail.com
Cost: $25.00 ($20 + $5 materials fee)
12 person maximum
My name is Mia (rhymes with hiya) Sohn
I'm a customer service rep in real life and a grandmother.
I've been writing Pysanky for 45 years.
I took a night class when my daughter was an infannt, I fell in love and have never stopped.
I love color and am inspired by nature and by music
I have taught at several libraries on Long Island and in Upstate, NY and I taught for years at the PysankyUSA Retreat.
I taught basic Pysanky, how to work on emu eggs, how to draw circles and saddlebags without a grid, how to prep an ostrich egg, how to draw a saddlebag with a geometric rosette, how to make ostrich shell jewelry and hair clips and how to etch a design on a brown egg.
email: no1eggartist@frontiernet.net
The class is to teach basic emu egg etching with a fairly simple design, not meant to etch to white. I will have a simple geometric design or a butterfly, pictured here.
I will bring 2 simpler emu designs, the students can choose one and learn to etch an emu egg
Level: Intermediate
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), white pencil, white wax, cleaning wired, quilling paper, tooth brushes and acid
Students should bring:
Emu Egg, divided into basic 8 division
kistka, extension cord (if using electric)
Measuring tape with millimeters
To Register
Contact: no1eggartist@frontiernet.net
Cost: $20 (if you need an Emu egg there is an additional $18 fee) Let Mia know in advance.
8 person maximum
When I meet people for the first time and answer that ubiquitous question of “What do you do?” I love answering “I am an egg artist”, because I absolutely love what I do and am so thrilled that I have finally figured out a career that connects my logical brain, my science and math background, my proclivity towards perfectionism and color! My side-gig is supporting my family: my husband of 31 years and two fully-fledged adult children, ages 22 & 25.
I was training to be an art teacher in 1994, when my mentor-teacher taught a pysanky unit to her students. I was hooked and every Easter, I would pull out my UGS books to decorate eggs. When I discovered the PysankyUSA retreat in Wilkes Barre in 2015, I couldn't believe there were others out there who were as passionate about this ancient craft as I was! Now I write eggs all year round and teach pysanky at most of the North American retreats, at local venues, in my studio, and on Zoom, where I teach both beginner and experienced pysankarky. Find my class schedule on the “learn” tab of my website! I sell my eggs and eggshell jewelry on my website, at a few galleries, and at various farmers markets and craft fairs in New Hampshire and Vermont.
I love connecting with my kind of crazy. I host “Open Egging” every other Friday night via Zoom; if you're looking for others to write pysanky with, find the schedule on my website and join us. I am super eggcited to be spending this time with you!
website: www.shannonwallisdesigns.com
email: shannonwallisdesigns@gmail.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/shannonwallisdesigns
instagram: @shannon_w_designs
New at egging and want to learn how to create awesome designs using circles? Already making pysanky, but need tricks on how to get these divisions laid out? Work with Shannon step by step to create three different eggs, all involving circles and arcs. We won't get into wax and dye, rather the goal will to learn how to lay out these designs, and you will end up with three penciled eggs ready for the kistka and lots of ideas on how to take what you've learned to new heights. All eggsperience levels welcome, although beginners might be a little overwhelmed at the pace of the class.
You will create three different eggs, all involving circles above and below the equator.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: instructional handouts
Students should bring: Three eggs pre-divided with basic 8 division, favorite measuring device (paper strip, flexible tape measure, compass or Post It corrective tape), and pencil.
To Register
Contact: shannonwallisdesigns@gmail.com
Cost: $26.00 ($20 + $6 materials fee)
12 person maximum
New to pysanky and want to learn some new designs? Took Shannon's first Circles class and can't get enough? Seen those awesome interlocking circles designs and can't figure them out? This class is for everyone, although beginners might be a little overwhelmed at the pace of the class. Work with Shannon step by step to create three different eggs, all involving circles. We won't get into wax and dye, rather the goal will to learn how to lay out these designs, and you will end up with three penciled eggs ready for the kistka and lots of ideas on how to take what you've learned to new heights.
You will create three different eggs, all involving circles at the equator.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: instructional handouts
Students should bring: Please bring three eggs pre-divided with basic 16 division, favorite measuring device (paper strip, flexible tape measure, compass or Post It corrective tape), and pencil.
To Register
Contact: shannonwallisdesigns@gmail.com
Cost: $27.00 ($20 + $7 materials fee)
12 person maximum
Originally I am from Ukraine (Lviv). I have been living in California (Roseville) with my family for the last 10 years.
I have a bachelor degree in Textile Art and a master degree in History of Art but all my professional life I’ve been working as an Art teacher (23 years). I admire all my talented students and their creative ideas!
First I tried to write Pysankas when I was 10 years old Art school student. From the age of 11, I started sharing my skills with others. At first, it was a sister or a best friend. But every year there was at least one new person whom I taught or inspired to write Pysankas.
I’m using traditional methods, patterns and elements but combine them with my personal style. My method to write Cossack Baroque Embroidery patterns on Pysanka helps to remember the glorious times of Cossacks in Ukraine. Double pysankas I call “Pysanka with an open heart” and they are in a way how I open my heart to the World.
website: Sofiya Ohorodnyk Studio
email: s.ohorodnyk@gmail.com
Ukrainian decorative art offers us many unique and exquisite patterns. Designs taken from ceramics, wood carving, weaving and embroidery can be actively used in Easter eggs. I offer to your attention decorative elements taken from the greatest period in the history of Ukraine - the embroidery of the Cossack elite. These plant motifs are also found in icon paintings, portrait paintings, or book designs of the Ukrainian Baroque period. My method to write these patterns on Pysanka helps to remember the glorious times of Cossacks in Ukraine.
Level: Everyone
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas), Egg or prepared egg, a tassel to decorate finished pysanka
Students should bring: Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax
I was inspired to try pysanky by a National Geographic article in 1972. With the exception of a few years in the early 1990's, I have been writing these eggs ever since. Although I love traditional motifs, I really enjoy finding new ways to use the pysanky techniques in non-traditional patterns and designs. : I have authored six books (all available at blurb.com) and I’ve taught at PUSA retreats, POTR (Cleveland), and Catskills 2022,2023 & 2024.
Four bands wrap around the egg, crossing over and under each other like weaving. This design is suitable for bands from very narrow up to about 20mm. Some band suggestions will be in the handout, but you can bring band ideas of your own. Suitable for any sized egg, but the handout will feature chicken eggs.
Level: Intermediate
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas).
You should bring: Egg, divided into basic 8 division, Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax, Compass if they prefer for marking
To Register
Contact: susandjones27@me.com
Cost: $22.50 ($20 + $2.5 materials fee) per person
10 person maximum
The secret to Trypillian pysanka design is in circles, usually in waves or loops, but essentially circular. We will write a typical Trypillian design, with suggested variations so that your pysanka can be uniquely yours. Any sized egg is ok, but examples shown are chicken eggs.
Level: Intermediate
Materials fee includes: Handouts (Instructions/Sample ideas)
You should bring: Egg, divided into basic 8 division, Pencil, Kistka, Extension cord (if using electric kistka), Beeswax, Measuring tape with millimeters, Compass if preferred for measuring; plastic circle template if you have one
To Register:
Contact: susandjones27@me.com
Cost: $22.50 ($20 + $2.50 materials fee) per person
10 person maximum