We believe that you can please the most discriminating friend

Here’s a real find – a gem of an eggshell article from the June 1957 issue of American Home. The magazine itself is a treasure trove of blissful, mid century domestic kitsch, as well as several really bizarre advertisements.

The article advocates using the natural range of colors of eggs - it is assumed that more of a variety was readily available in 1957 - and using vegetable dye for special colors. I really like the idea of using natural "flat white, ivory, pale honey, beige, warm brown, even some mottled shells". I’m not sure what qualified as vegetable dye in 1957, but today it usually refers to dyes made from vegetable sources. The article may be referring to something closer to food coloring (or something more sinister), but I’m not sure.

I really like the whale and shark...

The Egg and You

Ray Abel

Broken eggshells make beautiful mosaics! Eggshells have a surprisingly wide range of subtle colors—flat white, ivory, pale honey, beige, warm brown, even some mottled shells. If you want a still wider range of colors for your mosaics, use vegetable color dyes on some of the shells. Then they're as versatile as an artist's palette. Making eggshell mosaics is great fun, and you can decorate pieces to get results comparable to beautiful boxes, canisters and such that you'll see in exclusive gift shops.


Once you get started, you'll think of many ways to use this fascinating, inexpensive technique. And we believe that you can please the most discriminating friend if you choose your subjects wisely. An eggshell-mosaic box is a delightful gift idea, because your present won't be duplicated.

All you need to make the attractive decorative accessories shown on page 42 are some eggshells, vegetable color dyes, a pair of tweezers, adhesive, and shellac, varnish or clear plastic fixative spray—and. of course, the item you want to decorate. Since you probably have many of these things on hand, the cost of the decorating materials turns out to be practically nil!


With a bold rooster motif done in eggshell mosaic, a plain wooden box can become a thing of beauty, to be displayed with pride. Trim a mirror with deep brown and cream-colored eggshells in a diamond-like pattern, and it becomes an elegant piece. Let the sea inspire a handsome picture featuring a modern design of whales and sharks—rounded motifs that lend themselves beautifully to this medium. And you might decide to decorate a tall wooden box or a kitchen canister with a clown or a funny giraffe for a touch of humor. The possibilities are limitless!


In any case, trace your motif from a favorite picture—from a book, perhaps, or a greeting card or newspaper—and trace just the outline. Break eggshells into small pieces of various shapes. If you want to use special colors, dip piece of shell in warm vegetable color dye. Use tweezers for this. Dry colored shells before you proceed. Now see the step-by-step how-to pictures on page 42.

Here, step-by-step, is the way you decorate gifts with eggshell mosaics

First trace design you wish to reproduce onto tracing paper. Then blacken other side of paper with a pencil—or place a piece of carbon paper under tracing. Hold tracing on article (tape is easiest way) and trace design on to object.

Plan colors you will use before you start. If you want to dye shell, dip into warm vegetable color dye, holding with tweezers. Brush a coat of adhesive—the kind that dries transparent— on back of piece of eggshell and place on box with tweezers. Fill in picture, then background.

Use shell pieces of contrasting colors to fill in the background of the article so design will be clearly outlined. When the adhesive is fully dry (at least 24 hours after the final piece of shell is placed) brush over entire piece with clear shellac or varnish. Or use plastic spray.

THE AMERICAN HOME, JUNE, 1957