Joan Brander is the founder of Baba’s Beeswax (Discover the Magic of Pysanky) and has been immersed in the cultural activity of using beeswax and dyes to make Ukrainian Easter eggs pysanky her whole life, having learned the tradition as a child from her grandmother whom she called "Baba".

The increasing demand for her expertise and for affordable and accessible pysanky supplies motivated her to do more with her egg decorating hobby. Baba’s Beeswax, with a whimsical name alluding to her inspiration and teacher (her baba) and the significance of beeswax to the technique, was hatched.

Today, Baba's Beeswax is a family business located in Richmond, BC with customers all over the world. It inspires and encourages beginners, experts, and anyone interested in Ukrainian egg decorating to discover its magic. From supplies and kits to workshops and books, Baba’s Beeswax has everything you need to make beautiful pysanky the traditional way. Learning is easy, fun and affordable.

As for Joan (iluvpysanky), she continues her enrichment programs that include hands-on interactive workshops, demonstrations, displays and lectures for people from all walks of life and age groups. Her published works include a children's activity book, bibliography, newsletter, birthday party planner, instructional guide, powerpoint, videos, and countless articles and teaching aids. In 2008 one of her books garnered a place in the bibliography class of the Library of Congress headings—a precedent-setting development. In 2014 she was a finalist for the Arts Education Award from the City of Richmond. Her reputation continues to grow and she is highly sought after by program coordinators to share more than 50 years of knowledge. Joan keeps herself busy advancing her goals and ensuring a thriving future for pysanky.

An ancient legend says that as long as pysanky are being made, evil shall not prevail over good in the world. Joan is committed to saving the world . . . . one pysanka at a time ™.