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Make a necklace fit for a pharaoh
In Ancient Egypt, you didn’t need to be a rich pharaoh to adorn yourself in jewelry.
According to the American Research Center in Egypt, no matter an Egyptian’s status in society, most everyone wore glittering rings, earrings, bracelets, crowns or necklaces. Much of the jewelry worn by Ancient Egyptians was made of gold, which was easy to find and mine in the area, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Pharaohs, of course, had the most access to gold and other riches. The tomb of King Tutankhamen, the boy Pharaoh who assumed the throne at the age of 8 or 9, was still filled with gold and luxurious goods when it was rediscovered in 1922.
In this Feb. 15, 2010 photo, the golden mask of Egypt's famous King Tutankhamun is displayed at the Egyptian museum in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
The famous gold mask of King Tut includes an Usekh collar, a thick necklace around the pharaoh’s neck.
Although you probably don’t have any spare gold laying around at home, you can make a fake gold collar with just a few items.
What you need:
- Paper plate
- Scissors
- Paint or markers
- Hole punch
- String
1. Carefully cut out the middle of the paper plate. The hole you create should be big enough to go around your neck when you are finished.
1. Carefully cut out the middle of the paper plate. The hole you create should be big enough to go around your neck when you are finished.
2. Paint or color the rim of the paper plate in one base color, then set it aside until everything is dry.
2. Paint or color the rim of the paper plate in one base color, then set it aside until everything is dry.
3. When the first layer of paint is dry, use other colors to decorate your necklace.
3. When the first layer of paint is dry, use other colors to decorate your necklace.
4. Set everything aside to let it dry again. Then use a hole punch to make a hole in each side of the cut through the paper plate’s rim.
4. Set everything aside to let it dry again. Then use a hole punch to make a hole in each side of the cut through the paper plate’s rim.
5. Slip a piece of string through each hole, then slide the necklace around your neck. Ask someone to tie the string into a bow so your new bling stays secure.
5. Slip a piece of string through each hole, then slide the necklace around your neck. Ask someone to tie the string into a bow so your new bling stays secure. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
Comments: molly.duffy@thegazette.com
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