First, the egg is pierced at each end so that the yolk can be blown out of the shell. Pictures are created by scratching, scraping and carving away the outer layers of shell, revealing different shades of blue, blue-green, brown or grey. The deeper one carves the paler the colour. By carving to different depths, figures that appear three-dimensional can be created, light and shading can be added and a sense of perspective is gained. Usually a penknife is used but some artists use shearing cutters, files, sandpaper or even steel wool. When finished, a wooden or metal stand is individually crafted, with the egg held in place by a central pin. Because emus are protected, today carvers have to be registered and licensed to purchase or collect eggs. Peter Harris, a Nyumpa man from Lake Cargelligo, obtained the first license in the current system.
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