This Easter weekend, I’m fortunate enough to have family in town, which means an opportunity for holiday traditions to come to the fore. Together, we spent a day concocting natural dyes and bejeweling eggs for a new twist on an old favorite. If you are a fan of all that glitters, check out these tips to bring some bling to your DIY.

What You’ll Need:

• Raw Eggs (as many as you want, and then a few to spare in case of breakage)
• Drying Rack (check out this how-to to make your own)
• Paper towels
• Tongs or a Slotted Spoon
• White Vinegar
• Measuring Cup
• Plastic Bowls (1 per dye)
• Pots (1 per dye)
• 1 head of red cabbage
• 3-6 red onions, for skin
• 2 tbsp. Wild Oats Organic Ground Turmeric
• Jewel decals, beads, faux pearls of your choice (available at any craft store)
• Either a hot glue gun & glue, or craft glue and q-tips

If you prefer blown eggs to boiled, you will also need a needle and patience (or a drill and a baby aspirator, according to these tips & tricks). The benefit of this extra step is an objet d’art that you can keep long term.

To Make the Dyes:

First: Protect your workspace! These natural dyes are just as potent as their chemical counterparts, and you will be glad of some surface protection should you happen to splash some turmeric on your tile or spill cabbage dye on your wood counter.

Light Blue:

• ½ head purple cabbage, chopped
• 4 cups water
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar

Bring water to a boil, add cabbage. Let simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Strain liquid, add vinegar. Let cool to room temperature before using.

Lavender or Green (depending on soak time):

• Skins from 3-6 red onions
• 3-4 cups water
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar

Place skins in pot, add water. Bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Strain liquid, add vinegar. Let cool before use.

Yellow:

• 4 tbsp. Wild Oats Organic Ground Turmeric
• 3 cups water
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar

Boil water, add turmeric. Let simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Strain, add vinegar, stir. Let cool before use.

Once your dyes and eggs have cooled, it’s time to soak your eggs. The blue eggs benefit from longer soak times, which deliver a richer color. This is also true for the yellow eggs, which deepen over time. For green eggs, short soaks (check after 10 minutes) in the onion-skin dye do the trick; leave them longer and they will turn lavender.

Once your eggs have turned the desired shade, move them to the drying rack. Let them dry completely. Set up your crafting station- glue, gems, and anything else that suits your fancy. When your eggs are dry, use the glue gun or a q-tip topped with craft glue to apply the gem decals in the design of your choice. From Fabergé to fabulous, and even feathered-there is no shortage of design inspiration available.