Who is Eggzotika?
Eggzotika is Morgan Reinhold (right) and Edie Stecko (left). We upcycle locally-sourced, humanely-raised chicken egg shells into colorful mosaics. Each piece is unique, and handmade with love in the tiny village of Chippewa Lake, Ohio. We try to make each one-of-a-kind piece as beautiful as possible.
Edie cleans the eggshells, and wires the earrings. She also provides a loving home where Morgan can create the mosaics we sell. In her other life, Edie is a dual-licensed optician with over 25 years of experience.
Morgan creates the mosaics, runs the business, and was a graphic designer for 30+ years. An artistic hippie pretty much since birth, he's inspired by the chaotic beauty of nature.
Eggzotika is Morgan Reinhold (right) and Edie Stecko (left). We upcycle locally-sourced, humanely-raised chicken egg shells into colorful mosaics. Each piece is unique, and handmade with love in the tiny village of Chippewa Lake, Ohio. We try to make each one-of-a-kind piece as beautiful as possible.
Edie cleans the eggshells, and wires the earrings. She also provides a loving home where Morgan can create the mosaics we sell. In her other life, Edie is a dual-licensed optician with over 25 years of experience.
Morgan creates the mosaics, runs the business, and was a graphic designer for 30+ years. An artistic hippie pretty much since birth, he's inspired by the chaotic beauty of nature.
How did Eggzotika start?
Googling craft ideas one sleepless night in 2014, Morgan saw a mosaic made with eggshells, and thought it would be fun to try. Within a week or two, a few necklaces were made, and friends encouraged him to make more. Over 500 one-of-a-kind items have been sold in the years since.
In 2015, we visited Öland, an island off the east coast of Sweden, where Morgan’s grandmother Amy grew up on a small farm. Standing inside the family's crumbling nearly-200-year-old chicken coop (left), it just seemed to make sense to create things with eggshells. Amy herself was a talented artist, and her loving spirit guides Morgan's hands and vision.
All materials are non-toxic. Our home is smoke-free, but we do have 3 fur babies (see below).
Googling craft ideas one sleepless night in 2014, Morgan saw a mosaic made with eggshells, and thought it would be fun to try. Within a week or two, a few necklaces were made, and friends encouraged him to make more. Over 500 one-of-a-kind items have been sold in the years since.
In 2015, we visited Öland, an island off the east coast of Sweden, where Morgan’s grandmother Amy grew up on a small farm. Standing inside the family's crumbling nearly-200-year-old chicken coop (left), it just seemed to make sense to create things with eggshells. Amy herself was a talented artist, and her loving spirit guides Morgan's hands and vision.
All materials are non-toxic. Our home is smoke-free, but we do have 3 fur babies (see below).
Why Eggs?
Just as birds fly over every part of the world, eggs have been symbols of life, creative potential, fertility, good luck and hope, virtually everywhere throughout history. From China to India, Africa to the Americas, the Middle East to Europe, eggs have been placed in graves, given to newlyweds, eaten at funerals, decorated as offerings to deities, and broken on doorsteps or in farmer’s fields.
In Christian traditions, particularly, eggs still represent rebirth and renewal. In some cultures, the egg is symbolic of the creation of our planet, or the universe itself.
Just as birds fly over every part of the world, eggs have been symbols of life, creative potential, fertility, good luck and hope, virtually everywhere throughout history. From China to India, Africa to the Americas, the Middle East to Europe, eggs have been placed in graves, given to newlyweds, eaten at funerals, decorated as offerings to deities, and broken on doorsteps or in farmer’s fields.
In Christian traditions, particularly, eggs still represent rebirth and renewal. In some cultures, the egg is symbolic of the creation of our planet, or the universe itself.
Why Eggshell Mosaic?
The first mosaics are believed to have been created with pebbles around 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. The first reference to Eggshell Mosaics appears in an Italian Renaissance art instruction book from the 1500s. We’ve come across sources that claim this art form was also popular in the late 1800s, the 1920s & 30s, and in the 1960s & 70s, but it’s not practiced very much at all now. The phrase we hear most often is “I’ve never seen this before,” even at shows with other egg artists. We love to create beautiful things from this ancient, humble, and common material, and we hope you love the results.
The first mosaics are believed to have been created with pebbles around 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. The first reference to Eggshell Mosaics appears in an Italian Renaissance art instruction book from the 1500s. We’ve come across sources that claim this art form was also popular in the late 1800s, the 1920s & 30s, and in the 1960s & 70s, but it’s not practiced very much at all now. The phrase we hear most often is “I’ve never seen this before,” even at shows with other egg artists. We love to create beautiful things from this ancient, humble, and common material, and we hope you love the results.
Eggshells From Happy Chickens
We get our eggs from Heather & James Kovach at As You Wish Acres, a few miles from our home in Ohio. Their happy chickens roam in a fenced yard with lots of silly goats. They've also got an incredible garden, and three awesome kids. They're good, nurturing people, and we're honored to be their friends.
We get our eggs from Heather & James Kovach at As You Wish Acres, a few miles from our home in Ohio. Their happy chickens roam in a fenced yard with lots of silly goats. They've also got an incredible garden, and three awesome kids. They're good, nurturing people, and we're honored to be their friends.
Our Fur Babies
We have 2 girls and 1 boy — Pumpkin, Luna, and Pippin. They're all rescues, all fixed, and all 100% up-to-date on all vaccines and medications. Pippin has occasionally jumped up on Morgan's work table, so the table is wiped down with alcohol frequently.
We have 2 girls and 1 boy — Pumpkin, Luna, and Pippin. They're all rescues, all fixed, and all 100% up-to-date on all vaccines and medications. Pippin has occasionally jumped up on Morgan's work table, so the table is wiped down with alcohol frequently.
Pumpkin, sound asleep
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Luna on the boat
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Pippin, just chilling
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Pumpkin
Our black cat Pumpkin entered our lives on a snowy Thanksgiving night 12 years ago. A stray in the parking lot of Morgan's apartment building (before he moved to Chippewa Lake), she'd been neutered recently and had ugly purple wire stitches. After a visit to the vet, she went home with Edie. We tried to find her rightful owners, but no luck. So she became Edie's baby. She loves treats and naps in the windows.
Luna
Luna was adopted in August 2019, as a birthday present for Morgan, who never had a dog but always wanted one. She's mostly Labrador, but also has Border Collie, Eskimo Dog, Beagle, and Chihuahua (!?!) lineage. She's a smart goofball, but doesn't get the point of toys. Her happy place is near water, be it on our daily walks or in our pontoon boat. But she won't get in water above her belly. Her nickname is Luna von Tuna, Princess of Chippewa.
Pippin
Little gray and white Pippin just came into our lives during the 2020 winter. He was a stray who showed up for the daily feeding of the multiple strays cats we seem to attract. But unlike the others, he wanted affection more than food, even though we could feel his ribs. We've tried to find his owners, but to no avail. He's now a healthy well-fed indoor cat, and is happiest when he's on Morgan's lap.
Our black cat Pumpkin entered our lives on a snowy Thanksgiving night 12 years ago. A stray in the parking lot of Morgan's apartment building (before he moved to Chippewa Lake), she'd been neutered recently and had ugly purple wire stitches. After a visit to the vet, she went home with Edie. We tried to find her rightful owners, but no luck. So she became Edie's baby. She loves treats and naps in the windows.
Luna
Luna was adopted in August 2019, as a birthday present for Morgan, who never had a dog but always wanted one. She's mostly Labrador, but also has Border Collie, Eskimo Dog, Beagle, and Chihuahua (!?!) lineage. She's a smart goofball, but doesn't get the point of toys. Her happy place is near water, be it on our daily walks or in our pontoon boat. But she won't get in water above her belly. Her nickname is Luna von Tuna, Princess of Chippewa.
Pippin
Little gray and white Pippin just came into our lives during the 2020 winter. He was a stray who showed up for the daily feeding of the multiple strays cats we seem to attract. But unlike the others, he wanted affection more than food, even though we could feel his ribs. We've tried to find his owners, but to no avail. He's now a healthy well-fed indoor cat, and is happiest when he's on Morgan's lap.
Lastly... How Do You Pronounce Eggzotika Anyway?
Just pretend you’re saying “exotica”
Just pretend you’re saying “exotica”