Make Your Own: Ancient Egyptian Scarab Amulet

The Egyptian scarab was one of the most sacred amulets in Ancient Egypt. The scarab represented new creation and eternal life and was thought to give protection against evil. These amulets were carved out of stone or moulded in glass or Egyptian ceramic. They were everywhere: worn on necklaces, carved in buildings and used in seals.

What you need:

• Recycled card (cereal boxes work well)
• Gold and silver paper
• Paint (any colour of your choice)
• Pencil
• Marker pen
• Scissors
• Glue/double-sided sticky tape
• Play gemstones (optional)
• Sticky tape
• String

What to do:

Step 1: Draw the shape of your amulet on to the cardboard. Cut this out.

Step 2: Paint your template using your favourite colour. This may take a couple of layers. Leave to dry.

Step 3: Use your leftover cardboard to make a leg template, this will ensure all of the beetle’s legs are the same. Draw four legs on to the silver paper, making sure you have two facing left and two facing right. Cut these out.

Step 4: Draw and cut the oval body of the scarab beetle from your gold paper. Use your marker pen to add the beetle’s markings.

Step 5: Glue these to the centre of your amulet. They may need something heavy to rest on top for 10 minutes to help glue them into place.

Step 6: Cut out different shapes from your silver and gold paper. Stick these, alongside your gemstones, on to the amulet for decoration. What patterns will you create? Make sure you leave this to dry completely.

Step 7: Cut your string to approximately 30cm. Secure this to the back of your amulet with sticky tape. Ta-da! You’re all done! Don’t you look fantastic wearing your new amulet?