(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 08, 2008 ) Berlin, PA – You hold the whirring drill carefully and gently apply the bit. As it scratches away a paper-thin layer of dark green calcium, a lovely shade of teal comes into view. You follow the pattern lines you applied earlier and slowly the image becomes recognizable. You have just taken the first steps toward joining artists around the world who carve eggs as a hobby or professionally.
Eggs have been etched, carved or sculpted for centuries. Because of their thick shells, ratite eggs such as ostrich or rhea have always been a popular choice for carvers ready to move up to the larger size, but emu eggs draw interest for a different reason.
Emu eggs have three main layers of color. The dark green outer covering varies from hunter green to almost black. The middle color is a teal green, the inside a bright white. The teal is actually as many as 7 subtle layers of color, each about the thickness of a sheet of paper. Egg carvers utilize these different layers of color to add texture and depth to their artwork. The natural colors of the shell make even a simple design dramatic. The American Emu Association (AEA) hopes to draw attention to the versatility of emu eggs by partnering with egg artist Tina Boes and offering a series of classes during their annual convention this month.
“You do not have to be a member of AEA to take a class,” said I. Michael Eppley, AEA board member. “We hope that area egg artists and anyone interested in learning about egg carving will take the opportunity to sign up also.” Tina Boes of Muskegon, Michigan is flying in to teach the classes this year. Mrs. Boes has been featured in numerous magazines, including The Eggshell Sculptor; Shell ‘N Tell; Emu’s Zine; and Egg Artists of Puget Sound. The 4-hour classes are scheduled for 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on July 17, 18 and 19. Limited to 10 students, pre-registration is required. The classes are reasonably priced at $50.00.
Students will bring their own Dremel tool with flex shaft attachment and two towels to the class. “Using a flex shaft is much easier on the hand than trying to carve with just the Dremel tool,” said Boes. Burrs, emu eggs and masks will be supplied. Learning on a Dremel first before investing in a high-speed drill is sensible. “High speed drills are faster than Dremel,” says Boes, “but the burrs used are the same and what you learn in the class can be applied to working with the high-speed drills.” The class is not limited to beginners; experienced carvers unfamiliar with working with emu eggs will find it interesting.
For more information on Tina Boes and her art, visit her website at http://www.carvedeggshells.com. For more information on the emu egg carving classes, visit the American Emu Association website at http://www.aea-emu.org or contact the PEFA class liaison, Ann Scatena. She can be emailed bscatena@epix.net with egg classes in the subject line or telephoned at 717-362-9415.
The American Emu Association is a non-profit trade association representing the emu industry. The emu industry is an alternative agricultural industry, dominated by the small farmer, who is devoted to humane and environmentally positive practices that will produce beneficial products for society. For more information about the American Emu Association (AEA) or the emu industry visit http://www.aea-emu.org or call 541-332-0675.
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American Emu Association
American Emu Association
541-332-0675 pr@aea-emu.net
