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Pysanky
Kits
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Hints and Money $aving Tips for Beginners
- making pysanky is easy, fun and affordable
- we recommend the kistka with wood handle for beginners
- all Kits contain everything you need to make dozens of pysanky the traditional way
- the Basic Kit is great for starting out
- for 2 or more people, just add a kistka for each person and easily share everything else in the Kit
- learn with our pamphlet included in all our Kits
- watch our YouTube video or online with our Teacher Guide and YouTube video
- learn online by watching our Learn to Write Pysanky for Teachers and Students on YouTube
- use our new Teacher Guide and Course Outline, Lesson Plan, Reading and Handouts, Free Activities and Printables for Kids, and Resources to teach yourself
or others
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Student Kit you get the essentials of 1 beeswax, 1 size medium kistka, and 4 pysanky dyes (yellow, orange,
red and black) intended for classroom use or with our digital online pysanky tutorial. More info about Teacher Guide here.
purchase a Student Kit for $19.99
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All the essentials in your Student Kit |
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Basic Kit #1 |
- you get a pamphlet Ukrainian Easter Egg Pysanka Beginners' Designs with instructions, 45 sample designs, coloured diagrams, helpful hints, and
important information, 1 size medium kistka, the 5 pysanky dye colours illustrated in the pamphlet (yellow,
light green, orange, red, dark red), 1 pure beeswax, and 1 cleaning wire
- you will need whole raw eggs or empty eggshells, candle in sturdy candleholder, jars for dyes, white vinegar
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purchase Basic Kit #1 featuring dark red pysanky and a kistka with wood handle for $30.99 |

Your first pysanka with Kit #1! |

Look at everything you get in Kit #1 |
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purchase Pysanka Lifter Basic Set #1 for $3.49 boost your dyes to the next level by taking the guesswork out of your dye jars and preventing
excessive dye from collecting in the bowl of a spoon and being wasted. These 5 colour-coded egg lifters (yellow, light green, orange, red, dark red); can be used with empty or full
eggs |
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Basic Kit #2 |
- you get a pamphlet How to Decorate Beautiful Ukrainian Easter Eggs "Pysanky" with instructions, 16 sample designs, coloured diagrams,
helpful hints, and important information, 1 size medium wood handle kistka, the 5 pysanky dye colours illustrated
in the pamphlet (yellow, light green, orange, red, black), 1 pure beeswax, and 1 cleaning wire
- you will need whole raw eggs or empty eggshells, candle in sturdy candleholder, jars for dyes, white vinegar
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purchase Basic Kit #2 featuring black pysanky and a kistka with wood handle for $30.99 |

Your first pysanka with Kit #2! |

Look at everything you get in Kit #2 |
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purchase Pysanka Lifter Basic Set #2 for $3.49 boost your dyes to the next level by taking the guesswork out of your dye jars and preventing
excessive dye from collecting in the bowl of a spoon and being wasted. These 5 colour-coded egg lifters (yellow, light green, orange, red, black); can be used with empty or full
eggs |
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Deluxe Kit - you get a pamphlet
Ukrainian Easter Egg Pysanka Beginners' Designs with instructions, 45 sample designs, coloured diagrams, helpful hints and important information; various size kistka
(fine, medium, heavy and extra-fine wood handle or fine, medium and heavy plastic handle); 12 pysanky dye colours (yellow, light green,
orange, red, black, pink, purple, royal blue, light blue, brick, dark red and dark green); 1 pure beeswax; and 1 cleaning
wire; you will also need whole raw eggs or empty eggshells, candle in sturdy candleholder, jars for dyes, white vinegar.
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purchase a Deluxe Kit for $67.99 featuring 4 kistka with wood handle |
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purchase a Deluxe Kit for $78.99 featuring 3 kistka with plastic handle |
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purchase Pysanka Lifter Deluxe Set for $8.39 boost your dyes to the next level by taking the guesswork out of your dye jars and preventing
excessive dye from collecting in the bowl of a spoon and being wasted. These 12 colour-coded egg lifters (yellow, light green, orange, red, black, pink, purple, royal blue, light
blue, brick, dark red and dark green) can be used with empty or full eggs |
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Look at everything you get in the Deluxe Kit |
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Enhanced Kit - everything but the egg! you get a pamphlet Ukrainian Easter Egg Pysanka Beginners' Designs
with instructions, 45 sample designs, coloured diagrams, helpful hints and important information; various size kistka (fine, medium, heavy and
extra-fine wood handle or fine, medium and heavy plastic handle); all 18 pysanky dye colours; 1 pure beeswax;
1 cleaning wire; 1 candle; 1 egg blower pump; you will only need whole raw
eggs or empty eggshells and white vinegar.
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See individual product photos |
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purchase an Enhanced Kit for featuring 4 kistka with wood handle |
$99.99 |
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purchase an Enhanced Kit for featuring 3 kistka with plastic
handle |
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pysanka lifter enhanced set for $9.99 boost your dyes to the next level by taking the guesswork out
of your dye jars and preventing excessive dye from collecting in the bowl of a spoon and being wasted. These 18 colour-coded egg lifters can be used with empty or full eggs; See
Colour Chart here |
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Christmas Ornament Kit - in these kits for holiday egg ornaments you get all the supplies in the Basic
Kit (wood handle kistka) plus blue dye, one-hole egg blower, 12 assorted findings for hanging, and Pysanka Power Christmas Ornament designs |
No Photo |
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purchase a Christmas Ornament Kit for $54.99 |
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purchase Pysanky Lifter Ornament set for $4.19 boost your dyes to the next level by taking the guesswork out of your dye jars and preventing
excessive dye from collectiving in the bowl of a spoon with these 6 colour-coded egg lifters (yellow, light green, light blue, orange, red, dark red); can be used for empty or full eggs |
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Pysanky Party Kit - these kits have everything your child needs for a party with friends and can be used for a theme-based
birthday party grab bag! You get step-by-step instructions, coloured designs, helpful hints, important information and practice designs; 1 pure beeswax;
1 size medium kistka; 3 pysanky dyes used in the instructions (yellow, scarlet, black), and 1 bookmark.
The party grab bag can also be enhanced with egg stands or other pysanky supplies.
purchase a Pysanky Party Kit for $17.99
add the perfect partner for only $5.00 Pysanka Power! Birthday Party Ideas & Planner. More
info about this book
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Christmas Ornament Kit for hanging Snowflake Eggs - these kits have everything you need to make dozens of beautiful Snowflake Eggs the
batik way. You get an Instruction Book Snowflake Eggs : How to Make Christmas Ornaments the Batik Way by Joan Brander including custom
Snowflake Template; batik tools and supplies of beeswax block, kistka / stylus / tjanting, red egg dye, green egg dye, blue egg dye, and findings for hanging ornaments
purchase a Christmas Ornament Kit for hanging Snowflake Eggs for $32.99
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Album of Pysanky Supplies |
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Pysanka Supplies
- the essentials are Beeswas, Kistka and Dyes
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Kistka (Traditional Candle-Heated) - we offer 2 types for use with candles (see below
for Electric Kistkas): |
Wondering what type of candle-heated kistka to use?
All types are used the same way and do the same thing. Only the funnel is put into the candle flame, not the handle.
Wondering what size to get for home use?
We recommend: size Medium is good for all applications; sizes Fine and Extra
Fine are good for those who want more intricate designs; size Heavy is good for young children or those who have limited motor
skills. |
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Plastic Handle with Brass Funnel - available in 3 sizes: medium, fine, and heavy
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purchase sizes individually for $11.69 each |
$11.69 |
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purchase a set of all 3 sizes for $34.99 and save |
$34.99 |
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Why and How to Clean Your Kistka
Dirt and debris could block the funnel preventing the melted beeswax from writing on your egg smoothly. Melt the beeswax like you normally would using a candle. Turn the
kistka upside down and give it a sharp strike (whack) on the side of your hand. All of the melted beeswax will come out, bringing with it the dirt and debris. Use a paper
towel to protect your working surface. To clean the handle, wipe off melted beeswax with a tissue. Alternatively, use a cleaning wire to clean the funnel. See more in this
short video in our YouTube Pysanky How To's and DIY playlist.
Tip
Do not touch the funnel of your kistka to the candle wick, as soot could get inside and cause a blockage. Instead, place it in the centre of the flame. Do not practice on
paper, as small particles could get inside and cause a blockage. Instead, practice on an unused egg.
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Hints 4 Beginners regarding Dyes
Overwhelmed by the variety available? or confused by what order to use the colours? Understand "orange wash"? These questions are answered in our Laminated
Pysanky Colour Sequence Chart. This useful guide goes into more detail about the use of dyes, provides a handy reference chart for the 18 colours palette, and is
especially helpful for beginners.
Money $aving Tips
Save spending extra money on dyes when you use pysanka lifters for raising an egg from the jar. They prevent excessive dye being wasted in the bowl of a spoon.
These colour-coded lifters take the guesswork out of your dye jars
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Dyes - these are from the leading manufacturer of pysanky dyes for over 75 years; superior
quality, water soluble, will not degrade over time, aniline, non-edible, certified non-toxic when used as directed. Are your pysanky dye jars in need of some love? Download
these printable colour-coded labels compatible with Avery product 5160/8160 (1" x 2-5/8") for a fresh new look! |
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18 colours - purchase colours individually for $2.79 or in sets.
See Colour Chart for an alphabetical list of black,
brick, brown, dark green, dark red, gold, light blue, light green, orange, pink, pumpkin, purple, raspberry, red, royal blue, scarlet, turquoise and yellow. Traditionally,
colours are used in sequential order from light to dark, hence the 5 groups. |
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1. light colours - yellow, gold |
$2.79 each
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2. accent colours - light green, light blue, turquoise |
$2.79 each |
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3. orange - also known as orange wash |
$2.79 each |
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4. bright colours - pumpkin, raspberry, red, scarlet, pink, brick |
$2.79 each |
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5. dark colours - brown, dark green, dark red, purple, royal blue, black |
$2.79 each |
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Dye Sets - popular combinations |
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Trypillian Dye Set - 5 warm, earthy colours look great on brown eggs (gold, brick, scarlet, brown, black).
People who buy this set also buy Pysanka Power Pamphlet #2 Trypillian Designs for $2.00 |
$12.99 |
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Variety Dye Set - 6 colours (turquoise, pumpkin, raspberry, pink, purple, black) |
$15.99 per set |
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Deluxe Dye Set - 12 of our most popular colours (yellow, light green, orange, red, black, pink, purple, royal
blue, light blue, brick, dark red and dark green) |
$31.99 per set |
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Super Set - large variety of all 18 colours (yellow, gold, light green, light blue, tuquoise, orange, pumpkin, raspberry,
red, scarlet, pink, brick, brown, dark green, dark red, purple, royal blue, black) |
$48.99 per set |
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Candles - provide 6 hours of burning time for use with traditional candle-heated kistka |
$4.59 |
Tip
You don't need special candles (such as expensive beeswax candles) for pysanky. Regular paraffin ones will do but many types burn too quickly. Tea lights are undesirable
as they have a very small flame that is not not enough to melt your beeswax and have a shorter burning time. Holding your egg near the flame to melt off the beeswax using
a tea light will be very difficult. Download (pdf) our free Fire Safety Fact Sheet. |
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Cleaning Wires - use to remove unwanted debris such as lint and dirt from funnel of kistka |
$1.69 |
Why and How to Use a Cleaning Wire
Dirt and debris could block the funnel of your kistka preventing the melted beeswax from writing on your egg smoothly. Heat the funnel of your kistka using a candle.
Insert the cleaning wire into the narrow end of the hot funnel. Move the cleaning wire up and down to loosen the debris. When you bring out the cleaning wire, some
of the debris will come out with it.
Other Ways to Clean a Kistka
See more in this
short video in our YouTube Pysanky How To's and DIY playlist.
Tip
Do not touch the funnel of your kistka to the candle wick, as soot could get inside and cause a blockage. Instead, place it in the centre of the flame. Do not practice
on paper, as small particles could get inside and cause a blockage. Instead, practice on an unused egg.
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Jars
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Clear plastic (16 oz) jars with labels for identification give just enough room to hold your
chicken egg and 1 eggshell dye
Hints and Money $aving Tips for Beginners
Your dyes can be used from season to season as they will last indefinitely if stored properly. These jars have tight-fitting lids to avoid evaporation. You can freeze your
dyes in them when not in use to avoid bacteria growth.
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$4.49 |
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Egg Blowers - we offer 2 types:
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Hints and Money $aving Tips 4 Beginners
Seal the hole with melted beeswax so that the dye doesn't go inside the egg. Weigh down the egg in the dye with something heavy such as a small jar filled with water. To avoid
breaking your shellremember that hot air expandsso first remove the beeswax from the hole before proceeding with melting off the beeswax, as your heat source will heat
up the air inside the egg. Download (pdf) our free Raw Eggs vs Empty Eggshells resource.
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Teaching
Aids
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Design Books (excellent source of information on technique, tradition and history of Pysanky)
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Children's Books
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Pamphlets
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Ukrainian Easter Egg Pysanka Beginners' Designs - by J. Nakonechny. This colourful pamphlet is included in all our Kits; 45 sample designs,
coloured diagrams, helpful hints, and important information |
$6.50 |
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Laminated Pysanky Colour Sequence Chart - by J. Brander. Overwhelmed by the variety
of pysanky dyes available or confused by what order to use them? This handy colour chart explains the traditional sequence for guaranteed results, including "orange wash",
using the 18 colours palette |
$6.29 |
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Visual Aids
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Pysanky Workshop Visual Aids - by J. Brander. These six placards will enhance your learning
environment when teaching the steps to make pysanky. Printed on hardstock and ready for laminating, they also include guidelines for use. ©2022 ISBN 978-1-897253-63-2. More
info including topics in this visual aid |
$10.00 |
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Bookmarks - sturdy cardstock with full colour photo of various pysanky |
$1.00 |
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Videos
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FREE! Learn to Write Pysanky for Teachers and Students. Calling all teachers! Like you, we know
how well pysanky aligns with multicultural and language arts, social studies, math and science for all grade levels K to 12. Baba's Beeswax has just published this new Teacher
guide by pysanky expert Joan Brander. It's ideal for online teaching as an entertaining and educational activity. It includes some of our own personal teaching aids developed
over 30 years, videos, and links. We'll send our Student Kit of just the essentials to each student who participates in your videoconference. Additional
supplies for other members of a family can also be ordered, if desired. Select this link for more info |
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DVD - "How to Decorate Pysanky with Luba"; produced by Ukrainian Gift Shop, Inc. |
$32.00 |
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DVD - "Pysanka: the Ukrainian Easter Egg"; a film by Slavko Nowytski;
produced by Equinox Pictures International; winner Gold Hugo Chicago International Film Festival; explains the myth and magic of pysanky; demonstrates the art (14min) |
$52.00 |
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PowerPoints
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FREE! Discover the Magic of Pysanky.pptx; An overview on how to make Ukrainian
Easer Eggs; widescreen format 16:9; will be emailed; 7.3 Mb. Add to Cart and we'll mail it to you. View as video
on YouTube |
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Newsletters
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EGGS-aminer - a unique newsletter dedicated to preserving one of the great traditions of all time PYSANKY.
In its heyday in the last millennium, EGGS-aminer was the first of-its-kind print newsletter dedicated to pysanky. Today its bits and bytes blast into your fast-paced world in digital
format a much lower production cost for us and a much reduced retail price for you! Publication began in 1995 and continued to July 2001. EGGS-aminer Newsletter continues to
be a valuable resource to readers of all interest levels. To complete your collection, you can still order back issues in digital form. Select
this link for more info and to order back issues |
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Podcast
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Episodes of this podcast cover the history, legends and symbolism of pysanky. On the practical side, there's tools and techniques, hints, tips and DIY projects
to talk about. Listen to it here. |
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Free Stuff like Resources, Printables and Downloads
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Download |
Fire Safety Fact Sheet for Pysanky Tips and Hints from Joan Brander 2019, guidelines
for everyone who writes pysanky using a candle and traditional kistka |
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Listen |
Learn to say "pysanka" and "pysanky" audio recording by Joan Brander
2022 |
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Download |
Instructions for Using a Drying Board by J. Brander 2021 a guide for this useful tool |
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Download
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Lesson Plan for Teachers by J. Brander 2006, a guide for elementary grades to be used
with Student Practice Sheet; features background, defined terms, instructions, diagrams |
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Download |
Raw Eggs vs Empty Eggshells Tips and Hints from Joan Brander 2020, compare the properties |
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Download |
2011 Fall Newsletter, vol 1, issue 1 |
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Download |
2012 Spring Newsletter, vol 2, issue 1 |
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Download |
2012 Fall Newsletter, vol 2, issue 2 |
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Download |
2013 Spring Newsletter, vol 3, issue 1 |
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Download |
Student Certificate of Achievement full colour certificates with place for student name, teacher
signature and date, describes the technique, tools used, how to protect and display, a legend of pysanky and more. 8-1/2" x 11" |
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Labels for your Pysanky Dye Jars and Lids Are your pysanky dye jars in need of some love? These
printable colour-coded labels are compatible with Avery product 5160/8160 (1" x 2-5/8") |
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In
Baba's Art Room
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Gift Boxes |
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Gift Certificates - one year expiry date; can be mailed directly to the recipient; combine denominations
to suit your needs |
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$25
gift certificate |
$25.00 |
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$50
gift certificate |
$50.00 |
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$100
gift certificate |
$100.00 |
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Gift Wrapping Service - we will gift wrap any purchase with seasonal themes for Christmas (elegant gold and red), Spring or any time
of year.
Use the "Notes" section in your online checkout process for personal requests.
- state the name of the recipient (otherwise the name in the "SHIP TO" section will be used)
- indicate any personal greeting
- state the name of the sender (otherwise the name in the "BILL TO" section will be used)
- state the occasion (i.e. Birthday, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Wedding, Anniversary, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day etc.)
- indicate whether the gift is for a male or female
- indicate the age group (child, adult, senior)
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Kistka Holders |
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Kistka Holder - sturdy, stainless steel construction for 1 electric kistka |
$18.89 |
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Kistka Holder - sturdy, stainless steel construction for 3 traditional kistka |
$24.19 |
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Kistka Holder - sturdy, stainless steel construction for 3 electric kistka |
$31.49 |
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Lathe - for a perfect beginning to every egg; makes straight lines every time; constructed
of durable washable plastic, it holds an egg in place and facilitates turning |
$48.29 |
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Templates - for perfect circles and division on eggs; includes 16 different sizes |
$16.29 |
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Pysanka Lifters
boost your dyes to the next level by taking the guesswork out of your dye jars and preventing excessive dye from collecting in the bowl of a spoon with these colour-coded
egg lifters; can be used for empty or full eggs |
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Pysanka Lifter Basic Set to supplement Basic Pysanky Kits (dark red, light green,
orange, red, yellow) |
$3.49 |
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Pysanka Lifter Deluxe Set to supplement Deluxe Pysanky Kits (black, brick, dark green,
dark red, light blue, light green, orange, pink, purple, red, royal blue, yellow) |
$8.39 |
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Pysanka Lifter Enhanced Set to supplement Enhanced Kits (all 18 colours) |
$9.99 |
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Pysanka Lifter Ornament Set to supplement Christmas Ornament Kits (dark red, light
blue, light green, orange, red, yellow) |
$4.19 |
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Tacky Wax - use on egg stands to prevent pysanky from slipping, sliding or rolling off |
$4.49 |
Request photo |
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One of-a-kind Pysanka - emptied, with just one hole, includes gift box and can be combined with our
selection of egg stands |
TBD |
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Egg-Cessories
and Gifts
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We've moved egg-cessories and gifts to our new Baba's Pysanky Boutique where we've
retained our inspiration, whimsy and cuteness factor. Check out all the new designs. Here's just a small sample of the hundreds of products in the dozens of Collections you'll see!
Remember to come back to BabasBeeswax.com to continue your pysanky shopping. |
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A t-shirt in the Love with a Pysanka Collection |
An apron in the I Luv Pysanka Collection |
A mug in the whimsical Home is where your kistka is Collection |
A greeting card in the cute Happy Easter Collection |
A face mask in our inspirational Saving the world one pysanka at a time Collection |
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