This is a great example of a craft that you can make by taking something used and recycling it to make something beautiful and new. Save and collect all of your ice pop (popsicle) sticks this summer and create beautiful bracelets that everyone can wear. Be warned: this is a craft that spans a few days.

What you need

Used ice lolly sticks (or if necessary you can buy them in the craft shop)

Water

A glass

Small plate

Scissors

Twine, wool or coloured string

Sellotape

How to make it

1. Place all your ice lolly sticks in a tall glass of warm water, cover with a small plate and leave to soak overnight to soften the sticks. Large ice lolly sticks work particularly well, but you can also use the normal-size sticks.

2. Next day, begin by gently bending each stick in your hand, as you are trying to soften it up to make it more flexible. Don’t worry if a few of them snap (I snap a few too): you have to be very gentle.

3. Once you think your stick is nice and bendy, curl it into a semi-circle shape and place inside a normal tumbler. Leave overnight to dry and take shape.

4. Now here’s the fun part: decorate the bracelet by wrapping different-coloured twine, string or wool around it, layering it to affix the end in place.

5. To change colour, cut the first coloured twine and neatly tuck it into the twine on the back of the bracelet.

6. Continue with your new colour, until the bracelet is complete. Use a piece of tape to cover the messy ends on the inside.

7. With a knife or the top of a sharp pair of scissors and with an adult’s helping hand, make a hole at both ends of the stick. Don’t worry if it splits; this can make it easier to thread the twine through.

8. Thread a piece of twine through each end and tie a knot on the outside. Now your bracelet is ready to wear.

Get Crafty by Ali Coghlan is published Mercier Press, RRP €14.99. CL