As proved on eBay, decorative eggs of all types have become a highly sought collectible item.  With a few basic ideas, a little imagination, and some simple supplies, you can create your own lasting treasure.  With Easter coming up, whip some up for unique and personalized gifts.

You need to begin with blown and sterilized egg shells.  Sources abound for all sizes and types on eBay!  Goose eggs are the most popular, due to their larger more workable size and their stronger shells.  Don't limit yourself .  Most sizes and types of eggs work well with these ideas.  Have fun experimenting with a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.  The eggs in the photo above are bantam chicken shells!

Painting your eggs is optional, but can add lovely affects to finished projects.  Shells should be basecoated with a liquid acrylic, and all types of shells accept this paint beautifully.  Just remember that it may take two to three thin coats of paint to evenly coat the shell.  Liquid acrylics become permanent when dry, so they also help to make the shell stronger.  When basecoated with a white liquid acrylic, egg shells can become a  beautiful canvas for even oil paint and watercolors.

DECOUPAGED EGGS

Using a thin clear-drying glue, glue paper cutouts in desired positions on your egg.  Thinner papers work best, and almost any theme or printed design will work.  Check out all the great sites on eBay that offer vintage prints!  While working with your cutouts, keep a damp cloth handy to lightly pat the paper until it adheres, and pat away any excess glue smudges.  Allow to dry, and finish with a light coat of brush-on or spray varnish.

GLITTERED "SUGAR" EGGS

After decoupaging an egg, use the thin clear-drying glue to apply an even coat of diamond dust glitter to the entire egg.  What a beautiful affect!

PIPING DECORATED EGG

This sweet egg was designed to imitate old fashioned decorated candy eggs.  After basecoating, use a pearl fabric paint with a small tip to apply free-form designs around the egg.  Allow the paint to dry.  To apply the ribbon and roses, use modeling paste with a cake decorating bag and tip.  The modeling paste can be colored with a small amount of acrylic paint.

FLORAL DECORATED EGGS

These eggs were decorated with tiny flowers and narrow ribbon with a thick paste type of clear-drying  glue.  You can also use hot glue just as well.  Several eggs done with the same decorative touchs can make a beautiful Easter centerpiece simply sitting in a bowl.  Try using a variety of items to decorate your eggs.  Buttons and bits of costume jewelry and findings are pretty and unique adornments for decorated eggs.

BROCADED EGGS

This method of decorating an egg is somewhat more specialized than the former ideas.  This was done with a tiny rubber stamp and a pearlized embossing powder.  A light pink pigment based ink was stamped onto the egg, then the pearl embossing powder was applied the same as a glitter would be.  After shaking off the excess powder, heat with an embossing gun.  You must emboss small areas at a time, and use caution as the egg shell will hold heat.  This can cause already completed areas to over heat and dull the sheen of the pearlized embossing powder.  With a couple of trys, you'll quickly catch on.

Hopefully these ideas can get you started toward creating some gorgeous decorated eggs.