THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a morning in the Carriage House creating a glowing stained-glass suncatcher under the guidance of Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy. This three-hour, beginner-friendly workshop provides all materials and leaves you with a personalized piece and foundational glasswork skills.
Spend a morning in the Carriage House creating a glowing stained-glass suncatcher under the guidance of Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy. This three-hour, beginner-friendly workshop provides all materials and leaves you with a personalized piece and foundational glasswork skills.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Parkwood National Historic Site · Oshawa, Ontario
Morning light slants through tall windows of the Carriage House at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, turning puddles of colored glass into tiny stained sunrise panels. The Stained Glass Workshop - Sunrise gathers makers and curious visitors for a three-hour, hands-on session led by Emilie Shipman-Wight of Feather and Fibres and Meghan Murphy of Meghan’s Glass Creations. Beginners are welcome; the goal is to build your own stained-glass suncatcher while you learn foil, solder, patina, and finishing techniques and share laughs with the dozen or so people in the room.
The format is practical and encouraging. All materials and equipment are provided, including a selection of pre-cut colors and textures, gloves, and access to soldering stations. Instructors walk through layout, cutting choices, foiling edges, and safe soldering, then guide patina and polish so your piece leaves the bench ready to hang. Participants must be 18 or older; workshops are wheelchair accessible but not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding people. Closed-toed shoes and long pants are required for safety; bringing an apron is recommended.
Why book this when you’re in Oshawa? The workshop complements a visit to the estate grounds, offering a creative indoor counterpoint to walking the gardens and exploring local heritage. The Carriage House atmosphere—wood beams, broad windows, and the hum of concentrated work—makes it a distinctive creative stop in a region more often visited for trails and parks. Small group sizes (up to 14) mean plenty of instructor time, individualized feedback, and a social vibe that turns strangers into collaborators by the final solder bead.
Practical details matter: check in inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes before start time, bring photo ID if requested, and note that there are no refunds. Parking can be limited; carpool when possible or use adjacent neighbourhood parking or Lakeridge Health parking lots listed by the venue. Food and beverages are not permitted near work areas for safety, though bottled water can be kept in a designated zone.
You’ll go home not just with a finished, light-catching object but with core skills—foiling, soldering, and simple finishing—that let you experiment further. For creative travelers, this workshop is an efficient, tactile way to take a piece of Oshawa home: a personalized sun-catcher that will glow on any window and recall the quiet, focused morning in the Carriage House.
Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy bring a blend of technical skill and approachable teaching that makes the process fast to learn and satisfying to complete. Expect demonstrations, one-on-one coaching at each station, and time to personalize color choices. Finished pieces photograph beautifully when held against morning or afternoon light; bring a small jewelry box or soft cloth to protect your work on the trip home safely.
easy.
3 hours.
No special fitness required; steady hands and basic hand dexterity are most useful.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Yes — all materials and equipment are provided, including pre-cut glass, foil, and soldering supplies.
Absolutely — no previous experience is required and instructors guide each step.
Food and beverages are not permitted within the workshop area for safety; bottled water may be kept in a designated area away from soldering stations.
Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants; gloves are provided. Workshops are not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding people.
Please note there are no refunds for this workshop.
The workshop takes place in the estate’s Carriage House, a venue used for cultural and educational programming on the property.
Instructors follow safe handling and disposal for solder and flux; participants are asked to minimize material waste and follow lead-safe practices.
Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa, Ontario preserves a rich cultural setting and offers a broad calendar of public programming that blends historic interpretation with hands-on experiences. The site presents guided tours and interpreted performances such as Servants' Tours and themed walks, alongside practical workshops in crafts, food, and floral design. Programming includes seasonal markets like Retro Fest Vendor Market and Winter Fest Vendor Market, community-focused events such as Parkwood Christmas Tours and The Way Home Film Location Bus Tour, and creative workshops covering stained glass, candle making, holiday wreaths, pottery, perfume making, and culinary demonstrations. Several workshops are taught by named instructors or partners noted in event listings — for example, stained glass sessions led by Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy and perfume-making presented by Dakaari Fragrance House. Parkwood also stages horticultural programs in its greenhouses, including floral arrangement workshops and guided garden tours led by site staff. Parkwood’s event listings show a mix of ticketed and free events and seasonal sell-outs, reflecting active community engagement. The site's public programs combine interpretive tours with hands-on learning opportunities across craft, food, horticulture, and holiday-themed experiences. All descriptions and event listings are presented in third person and reflect the programming and partnerships publicly listed for Parkwood National Historic Site.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site