 |  |
|
Learnpysanky.com is migrating to a new webhost, some aspects of the site will not be available. Migration should be complete by Aug 25, 2024. Thank you for your patience. |
new? start here
egg designs
supplies you'll need
the basic steps
help & more info
f.a.q.
hints/tricks
symbol & color meanings
offline resources
where do I...?
find egg designs
buy supplies
take workshops
list my workshop
fun extras
ukrainian recipes
pysanky coloring pages
original dye recipes
legends & traditions
site stuff
contact
sitemap/search
of further interest
ann's rcm coins
peasant magic show
pysanky gift ideas
ann's gift shop
Offline Resources - books, etc.
This is where I got most of my information over the years. A lot of these
books are available from places mentioned in the where to buy supplies listing. Or
click on the titles that have links to purchase them directly from Amazon.
Luciow, Johanna, et al. Eggs Beautiful: How to Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs
. Harrison, Smith-Lund Press: Minneapolis.
- A beginner's guide to Ukrainian Easter Egg making, with a little of their history and a lot of design examples. From the Ukrainian Gift Shop, the most prolific pysanky design and history/tradition writers out there!
Perchyshyn, Luba, et al. Ukrainian Design Book I by Natalie and Luba Perchyshyn (1999-01-01)
Gopher State Litho: Minneapolis, 1984.
- Designs for beginners to advanced. As above, from the UGS.
Perchyshyn, Luba, et al. Ukrainian Easter Egg Design Book 2.
Gopher State Litho: Minneapolis, 1986.
- More designs for beginners to advanced. There are many books in this series, all of which are great! (As above, from the UGS)
Kmit, Anne, et al. Ukrainian Easter Eggs and How We Make Them
.
Ukrainian Gift Shop: St. Anthony, 1979. ISBN 0-9602502-0-4
- A tremendous resource. In addition to many more designs for beginners to advanced, also has lots of information on pysanky and Easter customs, stories, and symbol meanings. You know it--it's from the UGS!
Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada.
Ukrainian Daughters' Cookbook. Centax of Canada: Regina, 1984.
- All sorts of traditional Ukrainian recipes, for many different occasions.
Ukrainian Heritage Company. Ukrainian Christmas: Traditions, Folk Customs, and Recipes.Ukrainian Heritage Company: USA, 1983.
- Traditional recipes, and lots of information on the traditions surrounding Ukrainian Christmas.
Canadian Living Magazine. A Tradition Worth Sharing. December 1996, vol. 21, no. 12, pgs. 100-103.
Telemedia Publishing, North York, Ontario.
- An article on one family's favorite Christmas pastime, a perogy party. Includes recipes.
Stefura, Mary. Ukrainian Bread Calendar, 1991. Celebrating the Centennial of Ukrainians in Canada 1991. Sudbury, Ontario, 1990.
- A lovely bread calendar featuring all the different kinds of breads Ukrainians make, with descriptions of their function, and recipes.
Ukrainian Catholic Women's League Branch #2. Raising the Roof. Oshawa, Ontario, March 2001.
- Lots of traditional and modern recipes, sold to support a new roof for St. George the Great Martyr Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Holy Ghost Parish Cookbook Committee. Hot Off The Grill: Family Favourites. Sydney, Nova Scotia, July 2003.
- Traditional family recipes and some modern favorites, sold to support Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Parish.
[TOP]
The following are resources I haven't used in the creation of this page, but I have read and enjoyed them, and/or they have been recommended to me by others.
Perchyshyn, Deanna & Natalia. Ukrainian Easter Egg Design Book 5. 2007, UGS. - Hardcover, limited edition. Celebrating 60 years for the Ukrainian Gift Shop in business, with 26 pysanky designs, and more!
Brander, Joan. About the Pysanka--It Is Written! A Bibliography.
- A compilation of more than 250 books,
periodicals and audio-visual titles relating to pysanky by Baba's Beeswax's Joan Brander!
Badulak, Helen (author), Schaeffer, Kristina (editor). Pysanky in the 21st Century
. Kutztown Publishing Co., Inc., 2004. 0911122109
- This looks like an absolutely amazing resource! 240 pages featuring a library of designs, 16 advanced ones given the step-by-step treatment. Spectacular! The author teaches classes in Pennsylvania, too!
Czernecki, Stefan (Illustrator); Rhodes, Timothy (Contributor). Nina's Treasures
. Hyperion Press, 1994. 156282595X
- Amazon.com gives this summary: Although winter threatens starvation, old Katerina gives her hen their precious flower seeds, a gift that surprisingly results in some spectacular eggs for trading, in a folktale about the springtime ritual of egg decorating.
Tildes, Phyllis Limbacher (Illustrator). The Magic Babushka
. Charlesbridge Publishing, 1998. 0881068403
- Amazon gives this summary: A gentle, nearsighted peasant girl rescues the legendary Baba Babochka and is rewarded with a magic babushka that enables her to create beautiful "pysanky", or decorated eggs.
Stalcup, Ann. Ukrainian Egg Decoration: A Holiday Tradition (Crafts of the World)
. Powerkids Pr, 1999. 0823953351
- A book for children with a step-by-step project, and some description of the folklore behind pysanky.
[TOP]
Polacco, Patricia. Chicken Sunday
. Paper Star; Reprint edition, 1998. 0698116151
- Amazon gives this summary: After being initiated into a neighbor's family by a solemn backyard ceremony, a young Russian American girl and her African American brothers determine to buy their gramma Eula a beautiful Easter hat. But their good intentions are misunderstood, until they discover just the right way to pay for the hat that Eula's had her eye on. A loving family story woven from the author's childhood.
Polacco, Patricia. Rechenka's Eggs
. Putnam Pub Group Juv, 1988. 0698113853
- I can't tell you how many times this book has been recommended to me--I haven't been able to get hold of a copy around here yet, but when I do, I'm sure my voice will be added to the group singing this book's praises! Amazon gives the following summary: Babushka, known for her exquisite hand-painted eggs, finds Rechenka, a wounded goose, and takes her home. When she's ready to try her wings again, Rechenka accidentally breaks all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs. But the next morning Babushka awakens to a miraculous surprise.
Pollak, Jane. Decorating Eggs: Exquisite Designs with Wax & Dye
. Sterling Publications, 1998.
- This book has also been recommended to me several times, as a wonderful resource for designs. At Amazon.com, one of the places you can purchase this book, they gave this as the publisher's description of it: Truly exquisite designs, intricate details, brilliant color schemes . . . on an egg? Achieve all this and more with ease while admiring the unbelievable beauty displayed in glorious color throughout these pages. Apply gem-like colors and watch as they awaken the design "written" on the egg in wax. From classic "quilt" patterns, to traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs and everything in between, you're sure to be enchanted by this age-old craft. Selected by Book-of-the-Month Crafter's Choice Book Club.
Newall, Venitia. An Egg at Easter, A Folklore Study.
Indiana University Press, 1971.
- Information on the legends and history of Ukrainian Easter Eggs.
Ukrainian Heritage Company. Ukrainian Easter: Traditions, Folk Customs, and Recipes.Very nice book, with traditional recipes and information surrounding Ukrainian Easter. Published by: Ukrainian Heritage Company, 8444 Kraay, Munster, Indiana. 46321 USA
Kishchuk, Marie, Alice Nicholaichuk and Mary Tkachuk. Pysanka: Icon of the Universe.
Ukrainian Museum of Canada: Saskatoon, SK, 1978. - According to Marie Kishchuk, Director of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, this book details the history and symbolism of pysanky as well as techniques for writing. A Canadian best-seller.
Brander, Joan. EGGS-aminer. A newsletter concerning pysanky.
Provided by Baba's Beeswax.
West, Susannah. The Pysanka, a quarterly newsletter devoted to the
art of pysanky; $12/4 issues or $3 for a sample copy, US Dollars. Please contact Susannah for more details - susannah@techgallery.com.