Lantern Glow Workshop

Create a beautiful illuminated lantern from a natural birdhouse gourd.

House of Windsor Studios

5.0 (22)

2 hours

Windsor

1 to 4 guests

$140

What you'll do

Choose Your Gourd

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

Design and Create

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

Reveal the Glow

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

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 wood finishing oil
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 oils for finishing

An LED tea light for illumination

Tea, coffee and homemade cake

Your completed lantern to take home

See available dates, Request a private class or Gift

See booking options

Read more details

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

Verified reviews

Your teacher

House of Windsor Studios

5.0 (22)

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.

5.0 (22 reviews)

$140 per guest

Buy or Gift

(22 reviews)

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$140 per guest

Book into a public class

Free to cancel (with 7 days notice)

Book at least 2 hours before each date

Request a private class

For 1 to 4 guests

We've accepted 100% of Requests, usually within a few hours

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Use on this class, or our other experiences

Valid for 3 years

Lantern Glow Workshop

Create a beautiful illuminated lantern from a natural birdhouse gourd.

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