One way to learn about Ancient Egyptian culture is by studying its antiquity, jewelry and customs. One popular custom of this ancient society was the making of the cartouche. A cartouche is a kind of nameplate. Ancient Egyptians used cartouches for kings, queens, and other high-ranking people in the kingdom. A cartouche consists of a number of different hieroglyphic symbols enclosed in a loop. A cartouche was meant to protect against evil spirits both in this life and the afterlife.

Learn how to make your own cartouche from “The Unlikely Homeschool.”

You will need the following:

• Wax paper
• Oven-bake craft clay
• Craft string/twine
• A pencil or clay awl
• A butter knife or toothpick

Cover your work surface with wax paper. Roll a one inch square of oven-bake craft clay into a snake shape.

Using your finger, flatten the “snake” and then flip the flattened oval over to the smooth side.

Use the tip of a pencil or a clay awl to make a hole at one end of the oval.

Using a toothpick or the tip of a butter knife, recreate the hieroglyphs of each letter of your name.

Follow the baking instructions indicated on the clay package.

Tie some craft twine through the hole to complete the necklace.

Check out Baidun’s Egyptian collection of art and antiquity, here!