A STEM Project: Fabergé-Inspired Easter Eggs

Fabergé-Inspired Easter Eggs

Easter is a time for beauty, renewal, and wonder. And nothing captures that spirit quite like the legendary Fabergé eggs. They are breathtaking jeweled masterpieces that have dazzled the world for well over a century. When I set out to make my own Easter eggs this year, I wanted to channel that same sense of artistry and magic, but with my favorite medium…paper. 

The Legacy of Fabergé Eggs 

Few objects in history carry the mystique of a Fabergé egg. Created by the House of Fabergé beginning in 1885, these extraordinary works of art were originally commissioned by Tsar Alexander III as Easter gifts for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. Each egg was a miniature masterpiece. They were crafted from gold, silver, precious gemstones, and enamel. When the eggs were opened, they concealed a delightful surprise within. 

What made the Fabergé eggs so special was not just their materials, but the intention behind them, a desire to create something so beautiful and so full of care that it would stop a person in their tracks. Each egg told a story, celebrated a moment, or honored a relationship. They were gifts of love elevated to the level of art. 

Over 50 Imperial Fabergé eggs were made, and today they reside in museums and private collections around the world, cherished as some of the greatest treasures of decorative art. 

My Version of Fabergé Eggs 

I may not have access to gold or rubies, but I do have paper, vellum, glue, and a deep love of making things by hand. My paper Easter eggs are my personal tribute to the Fabergé tradition. The design is elegant in its geometry.  They are hexagonal shaped with six bunny scenes backed with vellum panels. 
One of the things I love most about the hexagonal design is that it gives you six panels to work with. Each of my eggs tells its story across six scenes, like turning the pages of a tiny illustrated book. 

Two of the panels feature delicate five-petal spring flowers in full bloom. Another two panels show a curious little bunny gazing up at a butterfly, nose twitching, utterly enchanted. A fifth panel captures a similar moment of wonder - a bunny peering at a small bird who has stopped to visit. And on the sixth panel, the most endearing scene of all, is a bunny sitting contentedly, holding a daisy as though it were the most precious thing in the world. 

Together, the six scenes paint a picture of a spring morning full of curiosity and quiet delight. Much like the surprise hidden inside a Fabergé egg, the scenes reward a slow and careful look. Each of the panels is a tiny world worth lingering in. 

What You'll Need

Materials:

• Neenah 65 lb white gold cardstock from Office Depot (for the six panels)
• Decorative cardstock for the hexagonal egg structure
• Vellum
• Craft Glue

The white gold cardstock is essential to this design—its elegant shimmer catches and reflects light beautifully, creating that special festive sparkle.

Equipment:

• Electronic cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut)

Cut Files

Choose the file that matches your machine:

• Silhouette users: Download the .Studio file [link to file]
• Cricut users: Download the SVG file [link to file]

Quick tip for SVG users: The design extends beyond the initial viewable area, so just zoom out to see the complete pattern.

Make the Egg Structure

Fold three sides of the egg and glue this half together together as shown on the right..  Repeat for the other side.

Insert the top and bottom base into the corresponding slits of the egg structure.  Apply glue to the side of the egg structure and insert the remaining half onto the top and bottom.

View of the top of the egg structure.  Make sure that all of the pieces are aligned correctly.

Make the Bunny Panels

Glue the vellum to the back of each bunny panel.

Completed Bunny Panels

Insert the top and bottom tabs into the slits on the egg structure.

A Small Treasure to Share 

These paper Easter eggs won't be locked away in a museum vault or sold at auction for millions of dollars. But they will sit on a windowsill and catch the afternoon light, and they were given to my granddaughters as tokens of care and creativity. In that spirit, I think they are very much in the Fabergé tradition. 

Because in the end, what made Fabergé's eggs extraordinary wasn't the expense, it was the intention. The idea that beauty is worth the effort. That the people in our lives deserve something made with our own hands and our whole hearts. 

Happy Easter!

May your season be full of beauty, warmth, and the quiet joy of making something wonderful.