Eye in Hand Amulet

What You Need:

• Metallic cardboard (Nordstrom gift box lids work well)
• Assorted blue and silver beads
• Craft glue
• 28-gauge silver wire (available in the jewelry aisle of the craft store)
• Pencil

What You Do:

There are two types of hamsa hands: one symmetrical with three even-lengthed fingers in the middle and two fingers turned outward on either side, and the hamsa which has the shape of a real hand.

1. With fingers together, have your child place one of his hands on the back of the cardboard, and help him trace the outline of his hand.
2. Cut it out and set it aside.
3. Next, have your child draw an outline of a bird and cut it out.
4. Now, time to decorate! To create the eye in the center of the palm, he may want to lightly draw guide lines in an eye shape, which is slightly oval or football-shaped.
5. Have him glue beads onto the hand to create the eye.
6. He can decorate the bird with beads, too!
7. String the hand onto jewelry cord followed by beads, the bird, and more beads.
8. Tie a couple of knots to secure the beads in place.
9. Have him choose a spot to hang his newly-made decorative (and protective) charm and help him hang it up.

This activity is a great way to talk about culture, superstition and spark an interest in traditions, histories and other places.