Stained Glass Suncatcher Workshop in Oshawa: Make a Butterfly with Local Artisans

Workshop · Oshawa

Stained Glass Workshop - Butterfly

Spend a focused three hours in Oshawa’s Carriage House crafting a glowing butterfly suncatcher with local makers Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy. Perfect for beginners, this hands-on workshop supplies all materials and safety instruction—bring closed-toed shoes and an appetite for learning.

View experience
Duration3 hours
LocationOshawa, Ontario
OperatorParkwood National Historic Site
Price shownCheck dates

Adventure brief

Stained Glass Workshop - Butterfly

Spend a focused three hours in Oshawa’s Carriage House crafting a glowing butterfly suncatcher with local makers Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy. Perfect for beginners, this hands-on workshop supplies all materials and safety instruction—bring closed-toed shoes and an appetite for learning.

On a bright Saturday morning in Oshawa, Ontario, a three-hour stained glass workshop gathers makers, travelers, and curious hands inside the Carriage House. Presented by Emilie Shipman-Wight of Feather and Fibres and Meghan Murphy of Meghan’s Glass Creations, the session walks first-timers and returning students through foil, solder, patina, and finishing techniques while everyone pieces together a butterfly suncatcher to take home. The experience is as much about process as product.

In a small-group format (maximum 14) participants you’ll choose from an array of pre-cut colors and textured glass, learn safe soldering and foiling methods, and finish your work with patina and polish so it catches light in a window. All materials and equipment are supplied; gloves are provided and closed-toed shoes and long pants are required for safety. Workshops run about three hours and are for adults 18 and over; check-in is inside the Gift Shop ten minutes before the scheduled start.

Note: there are no refunds, and the session is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding participants. The Carriage House setting gives the class a focused, communal vibe: workstations with soldering irons line the room, a table holds curated color palettes, and instructors move between stations offering hands-on corrections and design nudges. The smaller group size means more one-on-one coaching, so whether you’re trying solder for the first time or refining technique, you leave with a finished suncatcher and new practical skills.

Practical details make planning easy. Workshops are wheelchair accessible; food and beverages are not allowed inside the workshop area for safety—water may be kept at a designated spot away from soldering stations. Limited parking is available nearby; organizers recommend carpooling or using nearby paid lots if the main lot is full.

This class stands out in Oshawa’s activity mix because it converts a short afternoon into a tangible craft memory: you don’t just observe local makers—you become one. The workshop blends technical instruction with relaxed conversation, so you come for the craft and leave with a bright, personalized keepsake. If you’re visiting Oshawa and want a hands-on, low-impact indoor activity that complements walking tours, galleries, or waterfront time, this glass studio session offers a precise, creative counterpoint.

Bring curiosity, closed-toed shoes, and an eagerness to learn—walk away with a piece that lights up any window. All materials are included and instructors demonstrate workshop safety - how to score and grind glass edges, how to foil, and how to solder beads. Gloves are supplied and bringing an apron is optional to protect clothing.

Because heat and sharp edges are involved, closed-toed shoes and long pants are strictly enforced. If the estate lot is full, additional parking is available in adjacent neighborhoods or paid spaces at nearby Lakeridge Health lots.

Adventure tips

Plan your experience.

Curated tips for an optimal adventure.

  1. 01
    Dress for safety

    Closed-toed shoes and long pants are mandatory—soldering irons and glass shards are in use.

    essential
  2. 02
    Arrive early

    Check in inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes before the start to get settled and pick your glass.

    info
  3. 03
    No food in studio

    Food and drink are forbidden in the workshop area for safety; water may be kept in a designated spot.

    warning
  4. 04
    Limited parking

    Carpool if possible; overflow parking is available in adjacent neighborhoods or paid Lakeridge Health lots.

    info
DifficultyEasy
Duration3 hours
FitnessLight — requires standing at a workstation and fine hand dexterity for soldering and assembly
Technical skillsBasic fine-motor skills

Recommended gear

What to bring.

01

Closed-toed shoes

Protects feet from dropped glass or hot solder splatter.

Essential
02

Long pants

Required for safety around soldering stations and cutting tools.

Essential
03

Work apron

Optional protection for clothing during soldering and polishing.

04

Refillable water bottle

Stay hydrated—water is allowed at a designated area away from stations.

Essential

Local insights

Context for the journey.

Hidden gems

Nearby secrets

Hands-on demonstrations of foil and patina techniques at the instructors’ stations, The Gift Shop adjacent to check-in often displays finished suncatchers and related local crafts

Wildlife

Local fauna

White-tailed deer, Red-tailed hawk

History

Historic heritage

No specific historical details for the venue were provided in the listing; contact the organizers for background on the Carriage House location.

Conservation

Mindful exploration

The hosts provide gloves and enforce safety protocols to minimize risk and material waste; please handle glass offcuts responsibly and consider carpooling to reduce parking pressure.

Photography tips

Capture the moments

Viewpoints
Over-the-shoulder at the soldering station, At the glass selection table to capture textures and color, Holding finished suncatchers against a window to backlight colors
Subjects
Macro textures of glass and foil, Instructor-student interactions and hands-on technique, Finished suncatchers backlit in natural light
Best times
Morning workshop sessions for soft indoor light, Midday when windows bring stronger backlight to suncatchers, Close-ups during finishing and polishing

Frequently asked questions

Before you go.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Where do I check in?

Please check in inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes prior to your workshop start time and present your receipt.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes — the workshop is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring food or drinks?

Food and beverages are not permitted inside the workshop area for safety reasons; water may be kept in a designated area away from soldering stations.

What is the cancellation or refund policy?

Please note there are no refunds for this workshop.

Are workshops suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding participants?

No — workshops are not suitable for persons who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to soldering and materials used.

Parkwood National Historic Site

Stained Glass Suncatcher Workshop in Oshawa: Make a Butterfly with Local Artisans