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

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.