Ukrainian Eggs Go on Display at Artistica

Customers of art gallery in downtown Dexter are buzzing about the latest holiday display featuring the works of Ardyth Paganone of Salem Township.

Paganone is selling pysanky, decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs, through June at the consignment shop.

"This art form started with pagans thousands of years ago to celebrate the arrival of spring," Paganone said. "All the different symbols and colors on the eggs have different meanings. A deer could mean wealth and prosperity, while the color yellow symbolizes happiness and hospitality. Each egg has a symbolic intent."

Pysanky is the process of layering melted wax in a chosen design on the shell of the egg. It is then dipped into a light color and the process is repeated for subsequent colors until the darkest color is used.

"The process can take anywhere from an hour to eight to 12 hours depending on how intricate the pattern is," Paganone said.

Her interest in the craft began in 2001, after she purchased a kit for her daughter to decorate Easter eggs.

"Since then, it has just grown into a small source of income," she said. "I started doing shows, and I sell eggs year-round using 96 published patterns."

Paganone said these fragile gems can cost anywhere from $6.50 to $100 for large ostrich eggs. The eggs on sale at Artistica are set at a baseline price of $26.50 each.

"Usually people buy them in a set and display them in groups around Easter," Paganone said. "That is my busiest time of the year."

She said she averages about 150 sales a year and is quickly approaching her 1,000th egg.

Despite the large time commitment, Paganone said she finds joy working on the eggs, and she often hosts demonstrations at her home and every year at the Dexter Pioneer Arts and Crafts Fair.

"I'm very blessed to have the time to do this as a small livelihood. It's a very time-consuming process, which is why I think there is such a small appeal," she said.

Paganone said the eggs will be on sale at Artistica through June. For more information, email eggnpagan@yahoo.com.