Gourd and Glow Lantern Making Workshop

Create a beautiful illuminated lantern from a natural birdhouse gourd.



3 mins Class size 1 to 4 guests    

  $140 (Afterpay & PayPal Pay in 4 available)
Melbourne Activities
•
Health & Wellbeing
•
Life Hacks Experience Gifts
Choose your gourd

Choose Your Gourd

Select a dried birdhouse gourd and explore simple design ideas inspired by light, pattern and nature.


Design and create

Design and Create

Learn how to drill and carve decorative openings using rotary tools and simple hand techniques.


Reveal the glow

Reveal the Glow

Add an LED light and watch your design come alive through intricate patterns of light.


Take your lantern home

Take Your Lantern Home

Leave with a unique handcrafted lantern ready to display in your home or garden.


Create your own illuminated birdhouse gourd lantern in this hands-on workshop at House of Windsor Studios.
In this relaxed making session, you'll transform a dried birdhouse gourd into a beautiful lantern using simple tools and techniques. You'll learn how to design, drill, carve, sand, and finish your lantern while developing confidence with rotary tools and decorative surface treatments.
Choose from a selection of birdhouse gourds in a variety of shapes and sizes, then create a design that reflects your own style. Participants can work from a collection of prepared design motifs and templates or create their own design, with guidance provided throughout the process.
If you already own a Dremel or rotary tool, you're welcome to bring it along. The workshop can also be used as an opportunity to build confidence and refine your technique using the tools you already have at home.
During the workshop you will learn:
  • How to select and prepare a birdhouse gourd
  • How to transfer and adapt decorative motifs and templates
  • Safe and effective use of rotary tools
  • Drilling and carving techniques
  • Sanding and surface preparation
  • Finishing with natural Chameleon Wax
  • Ways to light and display your finished lantern
  • Tips for using and maintaining your own Dremel or rotary tool at home
By the end of the session, you'll have created a unique illuminated lantern ready to display in your home or garden.
This workshop is beginner-friendly and suitable for adults of all skill levels. No prior experience is required.
What you'll get
A dried birdhouse gourd to transform into a lantern
Use of all tools and equipment during the workshop
Sanding and finishing materials
A bespoke brass hanging fitting for your lantern
Natural Chameleon Wax for finishing
An LED tea light for illumination
Tea, coffee and homemade cake
Your completed lantern to take home
Knowledge required
No prior experience is necessary. Beginners are very welcome.
What to bring
Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for a workshop environment.
If you own a Dremel or other rotary tool and would like to become more confident using it, feel free to bring it along. Guidance can be provided using your own equipment, making this a great opportunity to refine your technique and get more from the tools you already own.
Location

1/1a Windsor Place, Windsor VIC

Gourd and Glow Lantern Making Workshop location
Verified reviews

ClassBento loader icon
Your teacher

Rose Agnew
Rose Agnew

5.0 (4)
female Women-owned

I’m an artist, jeweller, and lifelong maker based in Melbourne. I’ve spent years working across textiles, metal, drawing, sculpture, and all kinds of materials — I’ve always been happiest when I’m making something with my hands.
My pathway into making wasn’t through just one craft. I’ve always moved between disciplines, learning techniques wherever I could find them and becoming fascinated by the way materials behave, transform, and carry meaning. Over time, that evolved into a contemporary art practice alongside jewellery making, teaching, and workshop development.
I’m currently undertaking a PhD at RMIT, where my research explores creative practice, material thinking, and metaphor through making. While my academic work is important to me, teaching workshops offers something different and equally valuable: the opportunity to help people feel capable, absorbed, and connected through practical hands-on experience.
I genuinely love teaching. One of the most rewarding moments is watching someone arrive nervous or unsure of themselves and then gradually settle into the process, becoming focused, confident, and proud of what they’ve made. I’m known for creating a calm, welcoming environment where people feel comfortable trying something new without pressure or intimidation.
My Windsor studio is what I like to call a one-room beginning, middle, and finishing school — you walk in, everything is prepared and ready to go, and you leave having made something real.
Alongside my studio practice, I’ve taught across a range of creative contexts and have extensive experience guiding beginners through unfamiliar tools and processes. My workshops are carefully structured, highly supportive, and focused on giving people a genuine sense of achievement, whether they’re making a sterling silver spinner ring, working with gourds, or exploring textiles and handcraft.
Something many people don’t realise is how meditative and absorbing hands-on making can be. Working with materials has a way of slowing people down, shifting attention, and creating a rare kind of focus that’s increasingly hard to find. That atmosphere is something I care about deeply in the studio.
My workshops combine technical guidance, contemporary craft practice, and thoughtful hospitality — good tools, beautiful materials, tea, coffee, homemade cake, and enough time and support for people to properly enjoy the process.
Melbourne Activities
•
Health & Wellbeing
•
Life Hacks Experience Gifts

Gift this artisan class

With our gift card, they can book this class at a time that suits them.

They can also choose from our 15,000+ other classes.

redeem Gifting options

Book on ClassBento and enjoy exclusive perks:


  • Earn loyalty points
  • Money-back guarantee* for peace of mind
  • Local support from our Sydney-based team, rated 5 stars by customers
  • Public liability insurance included for your protection
  • ClassBento donates $1 to Dementia Australia with every paid booking
class V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d production melbourne Melbourne VIC AU melbourne