Does anyone paint eggs?

[quailcc]

I'm getting so many more eggs a week than we could eat and I'd hate to see them go to waste. I've been wanting to hollow some out and paint them and make ornaments or even tiny trinket boxes out of them. Anyone know the best way to drain them without breaking?
Also the best paint to use?
Is there any way to make the shells a little tougher and less breakable?

 

[napdognewfie]

Use a large syringe to make a small hole & suck out the insides. Refill the syringe with bleach water to rinse. Spraying with polyurethane craft say will make them slightly less fragile but they are eggs after all.