Washi Eggs

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Washi Eggs

A traditional Japanese craft
for the Spring.

Materials needed:
-sheets of Origami paper (one per egg), 6" sq.
-white glue
-Ablown@ (empty) eggs or
paper mache eggs (available at craft stores)
-pencil
-scissors
-ruler AND tape measure
-paintbrush
-water

This project is a traditional craft from Japan, no matter who tries to lay claim to it! It=s a fun and colorful project for kids and adults alike. Using the tape measure, measure the egg around the widest part and from tip to tip, noting the measurements. Trim the origami paper on one side to the length of the circumference of the egg plus 1/4". Fold the paper in half down the longwise measurement and unfold. This helps to place the center of egg to the center of the paper. Now trim the paper to the length of the egg tip to tip, adding 1/4" on each end. Folding the paper in half again, measure and mark 1/4" sections along the tip to tip aspect of the paper. Cut the paper along those lines until you get a long fringe with a section about 3/4" wide in the middle. Now snip the ends of each of the long sections until it looks like a Apicket fence@, that is pointed at the tips with the points being about 2" from point to widest part. Snip the paper fringe on BOTH edges. Unfold the paper so it is flat.

With the glue and brush, water down the glue by about 25%-30% depending on the glue. It needs to be thick enough to stick and not drip off, and thin enough to not get gummy on the egg and paper. Choose a starting place on your egg, and apply a little glue around the middle of the egg and paper with the paper Apicket fence@ going from tip to tip. Now starting at one edge, apply glue to the paper and lay the strip down on the egg. Work your way around the egg laying strips of Apicket fence@ so they overlap the previous strip.
Snip one side of the "fence",
then the other.

Glue one side of the egg and then the other pushing out any air bubbles that may have gotten caught underneath. Give the whole egg two or three coats of glue, letting it dry in between coats.

NOTE: If the paper isn=t laying flat on the egg, next time cut the Apicket fence@ strips a little narrower or decrease the strip width in the uncut center section of the paper. Remember, each egg is shaped just a little differently so each egg will measure and turn out differently AND the choice of origami paper (or regular paper for that matter) is practically limitless so you can really go wild with this project. If you choose to go with larger eggs other than traditional chicken eggs make sure that the paper goes around the egg completely, otherwise you will have to patch the paper together.

Look for Draggin= Ink J supplies and accessories at your local stamp and craft store.

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