On March 21, 2010 St. Stephen’s Episcopal church will hold the fourth annual Pysanky making class at 12:30 – 3:00 pm in Spurling Hall.  Artists Barbara Wampole and Olga Kaczmar will be the demonstrators.

Psyanky are Ukrainian Easter eggs using the wax and dye method. Mothers customarily passed on this ancient tradition to daughters a few weeks prior to Easter. This class is open to all. Bring a dozen or half-dozen raw, room-temperature eggs. (The wax won’t adhere to chilled eggs.) Utensils and tools for applying the wax will be provided and those who have their own may bring them. There will be a nominal charge of $2.00 per person to cover the cost of dyes.  Please phone in reservations to 661-259-5479 since the class was very popular last year.

“This is a rare opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones while sharing the relaxed atmosphere that surrounds the modern application of this ancient Easter tradition. Join us and start an Easter tradition for your family,” says the Rev. Lynn Jay, Vicar at St. Stephen’s.

Topics covered in the class include:

• History of importance of these eggs. Why it has transcended time and continues even now. Religious rituals and craft objects for gifts.
• Tool explanation & demonstration.
• Dye explanation – lightest to darkest.  Special treatment of green leaves with paintbrush.
• Copies of the pattern will be distributed.
• Dissecting the egg with pencil to match the pattern.
• Lighting the candles and each student starts waxing process.
• Dying the egg at each sequence after waxing.
• Removing the wax demonstration.

All crafty persons are welcome to come. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is located at 24901 Orchard Village Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Phone 661-259-7307. www.st-stephens.org