EGG-ceptional Faberge‑style artwork is set to go to auction to fund a care home outing.
Margaret Smith, has lived at Deangate Care Home since March 2024 - but she has spent a lifetime perfecting her craft of intricate ornamental eggs.
The 88-year-old, who lives with dementia, began decorating real eggs in the style of Faberge in 1979 - and has created dozens of exquisite pieces over the years.
Many were sold at prestigious shows across the UK, including the Great Yorkshire Show and Chatsworth Country Fair.
Now, Margaret’s daughter and her family have donated several of the eggs to the care home’s to auction on Facebook - in order to raise money for the residents’ trip to the seaside.
Margaret’s kind donation hasn’t gone unnoticed by residents, who are in awe of her crafts and raring to go for their seaside excursion.
Catherine, Margaret’s daughter, said: “Mum was very talented and like many crafters, proud of the items she produced.
“She was a member of the Egg Crafters Guild of Great Britain and she regularly attended seminars to keep up with the latest trends.
“We’re sure someone might like a decorated egg as a gift for Easter instead of a chocolate one - and the funds will go towards giving Margaret and others at the home a fantastic outing to the seaside.”
Although she had long admired ornamental eggs, she had never owned one herself - so in 1979 she enrolled in an egg decorating class at the Barnsley Mining and Technical College.
Her eggs were made from real goose, rhea and ostrich eggs sourced from domestic farms.
Each one was carefully cut, cleaned, painted, lined with velvet or silk and decorated with rhinestones, pearls and coloured stones.
Some were even dyed using onion skins to create a marbled finish.
Her favourite piece a goose egg, covered entirely in rhinestones, which took more than 30 hours to make.
Margaret gave talks and demonstrations on the process to Women’s Institutes, schools, charity groups and community organisations - later teaching egg decorating through Barnsley Council’s Adult Education Service.
The planned auction will go live on the Deangate Care Home Facebook page, during their Valentine’s Day party, on Friday February 13.
The winning bidders will be invited to collect their pieces directly from Margaret.
