Ingredients
- 1 clean, empty chicken eggshell half, about 2 to 3 inches wide
- 1 fluid ounce deep blue acrylic craft paint
- 1/2 fluid ounce purple acrylic craft paint
- 1/2 fluid ounce magenta or pink acrylic craft paint (optional)
- 1/2 fluid ounce white acrylic craft paint
- 1/2 fluid ounce metallic silver or gold acrylic craft paint
- 2 tablespoons lightweight white modeling paste
- 1 small disposable paper cup, 3 fluid ounces or larger
- 1 small flat craft brush, about 1/4 inch wide
- 1 small round detail brush, size 0 or 1
- 1 toothpick
- 1 small piece of kitchen sponge, about 1 inch square
- 1 sheet of 220 grit sandpaper (optional)
- 1 fluid ounce water in a small cup
- 1 disposable drop cloth or sheet of cardboard, about 12 by 18 inches
- 1 pair of nitrile or household gloves (optional)
- 1 sheet of wax paper, about 12 by 12 inches
- 1 fluid ounce water-based matte sealer (optional)
Instructions
- Cover the table first with a drop cloth or cardboard.
- Clean and dry the shell. Rinse the eggshell half with warm water and a little dish soap, then rinse again. Let it air-dry completely for at least 30 minutes.
- Check the rim. Run a fingertip lightly around the broken edge. If one point feels sharp, smooth it with 220 grit sandpaper using short strokes away from your hand.
- Brush away the dust before painting, and wear gloves if the edge feels fragile.
- Use the 1/4-inch flat brush to apply a thin coat of deep blue acrylic paint over the outside of the shell. Leave the inside unpainted for now.
- Place the shell upside down on wax paper and wait about 30 minutes for the first coat to dry.
- Brush on a second thin layer of blue, changing the direction of your strokes as you move around the curve. Allow another 30 to 45 minutes of dry time.
- Put small drops of purple and magenta on the paper cup lid. Dab the corner of the sponge into one color, blot most of it off, and tap the sponge across the shell.
- If one color looks too bright, use the clean side of the sponge to tap a little deep blue over it.
- Dip the size 0 or 1 round brush into white paint, then touch the handle lightly with one finger to release tiny dots for stars.
- Once the white stars feel dry, use a nearly dry flat brush to skim metallic silver or gold over a few raised areas.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of modeling paste in the middle of the shell and use the toothpick to pull the paste into 5 to 7 small peaks.
- Let the modeling paste sit for 10 minutes, then touch a little white paint onto the highest peaks and add a small amount of metallic paint to one or two sides of each peak.
- If the galaxy looks blotchy, wait until the paint dries and tap a thin veil of blue over the darkest or brightest patch.
- After the paint and modeling paste feel fully dry, brush on a thin coat of water-based matte sealer over the painted outside and crystal center.
- Let the piece dry for 2 hours, then allow 12 hours of cure time before moving it.
Notes
Use acrylic paint and water-based sealer with good airflow. Keep paint, sealer, and sanding dust away from food surfaces.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
