Pysanky is the ancient Eastern European art of egg decorating, of which the Ukrainian version is most famous. The name comes from the verb to write, as a stylus (called a kistka) is used to write with wax on the egg shell. The process is similar to batik. Successive layers of the design, from lighter colors to darker ones, are applied with wax. The wax is then melted off the egg to create the finished product. These eggs were created by my grandmother when she was in her early eighty's. She mentored my wife as she passed this this art form to the next generation.