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Decoupage Ostrich Eggs
Most people recognize an ostrich egg when they see one. It is one of the largest eggs on the planet and rightly so – considering the size of the bird that produced it. Oddly, though, the ostrich egg is smallest egg when you take into account the relative size of the bird to the egg. The ostrich egg is also one of the eggs in the world that has the most different uses. Not surprising when you consider how large and durable the egg is. Amongst its uses are counted being a receptacle for water, the two halves being used as bowls and in the art world the eggs are painted and one can even get decoupage ostrich eggs.
Painted and decoupage ostrich eggs are favorite items for tourists to purchase when they are in Africa though ever since the ostrich has become rather more cosmopolitan bird, they area available just about everywhere. Ostriches are farmed for their feathers, their meat and their leather in more than 50 different countries across the world and even in places like Finland! South Africa still maintains the largest ostrich population as far as farming is concerned all centered around the town of Oudtshoorn. The beautiful large feathers have been used for ages as fashion items and the smaller less than wonderful feathers have found uses in feather dusters and other places. The meat is very lean and low in cholesterol and tastes similar to beef though it is much darker. The leather is used in a number of goods and it is generally considered to be tougher and more durable than normal leather.
As far as the eggs go they have the same amount of ‘egg’ inside them as two-dozen normal chicken eggs. To soft boil an egg that size would take about an hour or one and half hour if you were to try and hard-boil it. Most people’s interests in the eggs are not culinary, however, most people want them for their decorative quality. A polished (obviously empty) ostrich egg on a simple wooden stand is lovely on its own. Some people even turn the shells into lamps, placing a light inside the shell to create a very dusty lighting effect. The eggs can be painted, of course, but decoupage ostrich eggs are also a delight and considering the egg’s size and durability make for lovely gifts or souvenirs. Goblets, necklaces and all sorts of other things have also been made from ostrich eggs thanks to their large size and durability.
The ostrich is at first glance a rather odd bird but when you think about it they offer quite a few things to humanity. It is horrifying to think that this giant bird was almost made extinct due to a desire only for its feathers. Today we have realized just how useful the ostrich is and we use it for its meat, its feathers, its leather and can even use its eggs. From fashionable hats, to decoupage ostrich eggs to lean, dark meat the ostrich is an amazing animal. And you can even ride on them, too!
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