Thank you Sandy,

...for your interest in my eggshells. My webmaster is my surgeon son who took on this project, as a labor of love, for his 'website creation' challenged mom. :) But his time off from the hospital is so precious little... so the development of the site has had to move along at his convenience.

Plus, he is working on several other websites at the same time. One is a novelty site that has brought us a lot of laughs while developing it. We'll launch that soon.

Our goal is to have the eggshell site ready to go by mid-September - with plenty of photos up by then. A few days ago, I got a bit too careless with my airtool/handpiece and had to send it for some major repair. But, I also just ordered a 'spare tool' so that my efforts to move forward aren't contingent on getting my other handpiece returned in a timely manner.

So, keep watching...I'll have some photos of eggs on the site soon. Gordon was so kind to post the photo of the eggshell that he owns for others to view.

As for your question about technique, when I am really in the 'groove' , it feels as if my airtool is just a continuation of my index finger of my right hand. That's the only way I can explain it. Just feels like an extension and that I am 'drawing' with the tool. I have a lot of flexibility. I also sketch my particular designs constantly...I learned, a long time ago, that sketching also serves, significantly, to reduce stress for me. But, it also keeps the proper movement in my hand going... even when I am not carving.

Since you asked: It is a very high speed tool which makes penetrating an eggshell a possibility. Very similar to a dentist's drill, but much higher rpm's. Small like a fat pencil.

I had to learn just how fast I could swirl my airtool without stressing the eggshell and creating a fracture. I also listen to music while I carve and sometimes the tempo dictates the movement of my hand. It's interesting to see the different results from listening to different music. :) Classical seems to produce the best results, but sometimes 'oldies' also put me in a great carving mood. Just depends.

It may sound 'strange'...but I'll risk saying that my whole experience with beginning the work with the eggshells was rather supernatural for me.

I had an interest in decorating glass for years. Tried etching once, but wanted to go deeper. Sandblasting was a bit too much for me at that point in time. So I stumbled across the seemingly magical high-tech tool and discovered that not only would it serve my purposes for decorating glass, but that the high speed made it possible to do things to eggs that are almost unbelievable. :)

Several people have emailed me privately to inquire about this 'hobby'. When I started ten years ago, there weren't instructions available, but many artistic people have taken up this unusual art form in past years and many have gone on to teach it and publish instructional materials. Still, we eggshell artisans are a fairly rare bunch to stumble across in everyday life.

It's like anything that requires patience...such as quilting or embroidery - except that the eggshells are so fragile and unforgiving if you make a mistake. You can't go back and re-do an error.

It seems to require more focus. It is also a rather lonely endeavor since the high pitched squeal of the tool,(think dental tool) plus the noise from the air compressor and the even louder air ventilation system do take a toll on the nerves at first.

It's impossible to carry on a conversation with others while doing this. I usually put on a headpiece and listen to all kinds of wonderful music to drown out the awful noises.

This is probably more than most on this board care to know about eggshell carving. :) Because it is still unusual in the world at large, I have been very fortunate through the years to get into many juried shows that have long waiting lists.
The show promoters love to have 'something different' to present to the shoppers. It is nice to be able to set yourself apart in instances such as this.

A week ago, I was invited to participate in a huge show in Houston that is a showcase for quilts. Other vendors with romance/victorian themed products are invited to participate in this annual event. Last year 53,000 people came from all over the world to attend this show. I only wish I had the inventory ready to accept this offer! But it would take months to prepare for a show of this magnitude. Still, just knowing that the promoter searched me out and I was automatically going to be accepted just really made my day, as you can imagine.

Again, thank you for your interest. If I can be of help in answering any more questions about my endeavor with the shells, please feel free to email me.
Warmest Wishes,
Amber