This natural chalk made using eggshells is one of my favorite things to make. It’s a great way to repurpose eggshells and all you need is eggshells and ingredients from your pantry as natural dye pigments. There’s also the option to substitute calcium carbonate powder to create a finer chalk. Both of these chalks perform similarly but the eggshell chalk will be grittier and more abrasive depending on how much you are able to grind them up. You can choose to use either or both, and there’s a photo with a comparison below. In general, this chalk is very abrasive it would work best outside on sidewalks. I’ve had good luck making several batches that DO work on our slate chalkboards (like in the photo below of my four year old’s snail drawings) by using the calcium carbonate powder.
Materials:
– calcium carbonate or eggshells (powdered, see directions below)
– flour
– natural pigments for natural dye (In this tutorial I used turmeric, paprika, beet root powder and cocoa. Matcha powder and butterfly pea powder are also lovely options)
Step 1: How to make eggshell powder (optional)
If you are using eggshells: Empty shells out completely and rinse well with hot water, also removing the inner membrane. Boil for 5 minutes to sanitize them and make sure your egg shells dry completely. Grind your eggshells into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon. You can also use a blender if you have one that is dedicated to crafting. I don’t recommend using your normal blender because the eggshells are abrasive and can scratch it.
Step 2: Mixing the chalk
In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of your natural pigment/dye material (I’m using what I currently have in my pantry which is turmeric, paprika, beet root powder and matcha) with 2 teaspoons of hot water. Stir to combine. Add 1 tablespoon of flour and 1 tablespoon eggshell powder or calcium carbonate. The mixture will seem dry and clumpy at this point.
Step 3: Forming the chalk
Use your hands to mix and knead the mixture until it is smooth and combined. Add small amounts of water at a time if necessary so that the mixture sticks together (add slowly— you want to add as little water as possible). Roll the mixture out to shape and form sticks. You can also press the mixture into a silicone mold if you have one to create shapes instead of rolling them into sticks. Allow to dry completely for at least 2-3 days on a piece of kraft paper, parchment paper or on a towel. Comparison photo of turmeric chalk below using eggshell powder (top) and calcium carbonate (bottom). Let dry completely, then use to draw on any outdoor sidewalks or pavement!
Note: This DIY chalk recipe contains eggs and wheat. If you plan to give these away or to make them with children, please be aware of any possible allergens.
@woodlarkblog naturally dyed chalk made from eggshells 🥚 all you need is ground up eggshells and a natural pigment for dye (we use food ingredients that you can find in your pantry). I save all my eggshells throughout the year in a jar to make this chalk. This chalk is best for sidewalks and pavements. You can also substitute calcium carbonate instead of eggshells which produces a smoother chalk. Both are shown in the video. Instructions below! Materials: eggshells (or calcium carbonate powder), flour, natural pigments for dye in powder form (I used turmeric, paprika, beet root, matcha, butterfly pea) Instructions: Rinse eggshells out, boil for 5 mins to kill any bacteria (optional) and grind into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle (or in a food processor or blender). In a small bowl combine 1 tsp of your dye material with 2 teaspoons of hot water. Stir to combine. Add 1 tbsp flour and 1 tbsp eggshell powder or calcium carbonate. Mixture should seem clumpy at this point. Use your hands to mix and knead the mixture until it is smooth. If necessary you can add very small amounts of water until it just sticks together. Add as little water as possible. Roll out to shape and form sticks or shapes and allow to dry completely. #DIY #eggshellchalk #diychalk #eastercrafts #naturaldye #naturalpigment #naturalpigments #lowwaste #waldorf #cottagecore #slowliving #eggshellpowder #fyp #foryou
Tugba says
Hi this is really nice and better alternative..
How many eggshels do we need.
Thanks
Tugba
Woodlark says
Thank you Tugba! I don’t recall exactly but it should be about 5-6 eggshells. Enjoy!
Emma says
Do you have to grind the shells in a mortar and pestle or could you do it in a blender? Would that make it too fine? Thanks for this great idea!
Woodlark says
Hi! If you have a heavy-duty blender that has the capacity to blend very finely (such as a vitamix) that should work! You actually want to get it as fine as possible which will create a smoother chalk. Good luck and enjoy!
– Ashley
Nat Drake says
Hi! These amounts seem very small, how many chalk sticks would you get from only only 1tbsp of flour and 1tbsp Calcium Carbonate Powder? Does it expand? If I wanted to make say 10 sticks, how much would I require?
K. Armstrong says
Hi there, I’ve been looking for a natural, make-your-own chalk recipe for ages, thank you for sharing yours! Gonna mix these up for a special birthday today : )
I’m going to try these colors:
Turmeric : yellow,
Paprika : orange,
Cocoa : brown,
Beet root powder : pink (…maybe, if Natural Grocers has some today)
Questions –
1. Does matcha stay green, or does it start to brown after a bit? Could you tell me about how long the matcha chalk pieces might be expected to keep their green color? Beetroot too, does the pink chalk stay pink for awhile?
2. Also, can you get a good White chalk with just the flour and calcium carbonate?
3. Do you know if arrowroot or cornstarch would work in place of flour, or would that not create the right consistency?
Thank You so much for your time and help!