Stained Glass Workshop at Parkwood Estate — Make a Song Bird Suncatcher in Oshawa

On a crisp Saturday morning at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa, Ontario, the Carriage House hums with focused conversation and the faint metallic scent of solder. The Song Bird stained glass workshop—presented by Emilie Shipman-Wight of Feather and Fibres and Meghan Murphy of Meghan’s Glass Creations—teaches beginners how to foil, solder, patina, and polish a small sun‑catcher in a three-hour, hands-on session. Located inside the estate’s Carriage House, the workshop blends craft technique with the relaxed atmosphere of a historic property where original wood beams and large windows frame the work tables.

Participants select from a curated palette of pre‑cut colors and textures to design a bird motif that catches light when finished. Instructors guide each step: cutting is minimized, foiling the glass edges creates a seam for solder, and controlled soldering bonds the pieces into a single, translucent object. Finished pieces receive patina and polish so they glow in a window. All materials and equipment are provided; gloves are supplied and organizers require closed‑toe shoes and long pants for safety. The class is limited to 14 adults, wheelchair accessible, and best for those 18 and over; it is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding participants.

This workshop is a distinct part of Oshawa’s cultural landscape because it connects hands‑on craft to the tangible history of Parkwood Estate. Instead of a passive tour, you leave with a personalized artwork that reframes how you remember the visit: not just as a stroll through gardens, but as a studio experience inside a preserved historic property. The Carriage House setting—original to the estate—adds architectural character uncommon in studio classrooms, and local instructors bring community flair and practical tips you won’t find in mass-market craft chains.

Practical details matter: check in inside the Gift Shop ten minutes before start, and expect three hours of concentrated work with short sit/stand intervals. Parking at the estate is limited; carpooling or nearby paid lots are useful alternatives. Because soldering involves heat and fumes, food and beverages are restricted from the work area; water is allowed in a designated spot. If you’re scouting memorable souvenir ideas or want a creative complementary activity after touring the grounds, this Song Bird workshop turns a museum visit into an active making session.

Whether you come for the craft, the company, or a new way to experience Parkwood Estate, plan for steady hands, curiosity, and the reward of a glowing suncatcher that filters Oshawa light for years to come. Expect a patient pace: instructors demonstrate techniques, then circulate to troubleshoot joints, teach smoothing edges and safety around soldering stations. Finished suncatchers are bagged for travel and make excellent gifts or window art that refracts mid‑afternoon Ontario sun into jewel‑toned color and lasting keepsakes.