An Estevan family found a new, easy and fun craft that could make long winter days more exciting, while also cheering up others.
Kasey McIntyre said that it was her mom Katie Dunville who'd noticed the idea on Facebook. It was called sun catchers, but the family named the craft ice sculptures, as time has proven that the sun melts it.
The first sculptures Dunville made with her grandkids during one of the days in which parents were at work. And then McIntyre also decided to try.
"I think it was the 27th of January when we created it, and I loved how it turned out. It was exactly it. So I posted it to my Facebook page and attached my mom's name to it, saying we want to inspire others to keep finding joy," McIntyre said.
Keeping St. Valentine's Day in mind, for one of the first ice sculptures they used a heart-shaped pan. Later, McIntyre shared the idea on the Window Hearts Estevan Facebook group, hoping that people may find this craft as positive and interesting as the original project, and that it would help spread the idea of carrying good spirit and joy.
"Other people may be thinking, 'What do I do now.' We've done so many things. Winter is long and hard, and keeping people busy is a good thing.
"A lot of people are down and we just want to continue to spread joy."
The technique is pretty simple. Anything can be used as a craft. People can put flowers, coins, buttons, little toys and much more in a baking pan, arrange a string on top, then add water to it so it covers the designed ornament and let it freeze overnight. The next day it should come out of the pan easily and can be hanged outside for the sun to play in the ice and for others to enjoy.
"It's not that hard. My nieces did it. The youngest is in Grade 2 … Anyone can do that," McIntyre said.
"I think it's such a nice idea, and so many people thought it was too. We didn't think it would create such a buzz, but people enjoy seeing anything happy right now. And you just have to try to do even the smallest things to lift people up."
McIntyre plans on making more ice sculptures with her kids over the February break and hopes to see others joining and more colourful displays appearing in Estevan.
If anyone decides to try the craft, to share it with the community they can display it outside their homes and also post pictures using hashtag #IceSculptureEstevan.
