"An Eggceptional Tea"

                                Egg Tea Sets

     When it comes to hosting an Afternoon Tea, we all love to bring out our best teapots and teacups for the occasion. But, if you were to bring out these incredible teapots and cups, you would be the talk of the town. Made from real eggs, these tea-riffic tea sets would adorn your Afternoon Tea table in a most original style. 
     They are strictly for decoration, but who wouldn’t want a work of art like this as the centerpiece for their Afternoon Tea table. 

                                

      The artist who makes these, Victoria Lane, is the daughter of a famous Yugoslavian singer, and lived bohemian style throughout Europe before settling in the United States. She came upon egg art from a frugal desire to copy a beautiful basket of hand painted eggs that she saw at Easter. Beginning with chicken eggs, Victoria used fabric paints and industrial lacquer to create her first decorated eggs. Then, a friend suggested using an Ostrich egg, but Victoria was skeptical until she saw an actress in a magazine carrying an ostrich egg handbag. Victoria knew she could do better, but she had no idea how well she could do until she attended an "egg show." Victoria was hooked. She dived into her new passion, creating everything from tea sets to handbags, musical jewelry boxes and ornaments. You can find her work at www.eggbags.com. 

          

     For these beautiful tea sets, Victoria uses goose eggs for the tea pots and chicken eggs for the cups. Larger eggs, like Ostrich and emu eggs, could be used for a more realistic appearance. 
     The eggs are cleaned and a resin is applied to strengthen them. Then, they are cut, and the handles and spouts are attached. The shells are then painted or glitter is applied. After the shells are completely dry, they are attached to their decorative bases and readied for decorating. 

                              

     There are many forms of decoration that can be used. Fancy lace or sequined braids, gold filigree toppers, and a wide variety of colored crystals and beads can cover these works of art. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
     There are many egg art suppliers in the United States. Here are a couple of links to get you started:

     -  Alcraft Egg Artistry, Brookfield, Ohio:
              http://www.alcrafteggartistry.com/?source=EggCrazy.com
     -  Trims II Egging Supply, Phoenix, Arizona: 
              http://www.trimsii.com/zencart136/

     You should take a "gander" at the world of egg art. You’ll be tea-lighted at what you find!

Photos: © Victoria Lane