Spend a creative morning at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa making a custom 100% soy candle and a grapevine wreath. This three-hour workshop with Diane of Three Wicks Candles and Sherri of IdleWild Designs Canada delivers hands-on instruction and all materials—you’ll leave with two finished pieces and practical care tips.
Spend a creative morning at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa making a custom 100% soy candle and a grapevine wreath. This three-hour workshop with Diane of Three Wicks Candles and Sherri of IdleWild Designs Canada delivers hands-on instruction and all materials—you’ll leave with two finished pieces and practical care tips.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
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Operated by Parkwood National Historic Site · Oshawa, Ontario
On a bright spring morning at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa, Ontario, the Carriage House hums with the soft clink of tools and the warm aroma of hand-poured wax. The Spring Candle and Wreath Workshop brings together two makers—Diane from Three Wicks Candles and Sherri from IdleWild Designs Canada—for a three-hour, hands-on pairing that turns simple materials into personal keepsakes. Participants learn to hand-pour a 100% soy wax candle, choosing and blending fragrance oils under Diane’s guidance, then move to wreath construction on a large grapevine base with Sherri, using succulents, greenery, and seasonal florals. The experience balances craft technique with convivial instruction: Diane demonstrates safe pouring temperatures and candle-care tips that maximize scent throw and burn life, while Sherri breaks down design principles—weight, balance, and focal placement—so each wreath looks intentional and home-ready. All tools and materials are provided, and you depart with a fragrant, poured candle and a one-of-a-kind wreath suitable for a door or interior accent. What makes this workshop distinct is its setting and flow. The Carriage House at Parkwood Estate provides accessible, sheltered space that feels part studio, part salon; the estate’s gardens and architectural character create a calm backdrop without distracting from hands-on learning. The use of 100% soy wax and living plant materials highlights a low-impact, tactile approach that feels both seasonal and conscientious. Limited group size keeps instruction personal—expect a thoughtful pace that suits beginners as well as repeat makers. Practical details: the session runs three hours; check-in is inside the Gift Shop ten minutes before start. Participants must be at least 18 years old; the workshop is wheelchair accessible and capped at about twenty guests. There are no refunds, so plan accordingly, and parking is limited—carpooling is encouraged. This class is perfect if you want a creative morning that results in usable, decorative objects: a custom-scented candle you’ll burn for months and a wreath that refreshes a room with texture and living color. It’s also a memorable small-group activity for friends, a thoughtful date, or a quiet solo treat where you learn by doing rather than watching. If you’re visiting Oshawa and looking to add a hands-on arts moment to a weekend of local sights, this workshop pairs craft education with a relaxed, true-to-place atmosphere. Bring comfortable layers and closed-toe shoes for moving between worktables and gardens, and a box or tote to protect your finished wreath during transportation; delicate succulents benefit from gentle handling. Expect to leave with both a finished candle and a wreath that make thoughtful gifts or a seasonal update to your home; instructors offer personalized advice on scent pairing and wreath placement so your creations continue to look and scent their best long after you head home.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Check in inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes prior to your workshop start time and present your receipt.
Yes — the workshop location (Carriage House) is wheelchair accessible.
The workshop runs three hours and includes all materials, tools, professional instruction, a hand-poured soy candle, and a hand-crafted wreath to take home.
Please note there are no refunds; plan accordingly before booking.
Groups are limited to about twenty participants to keep instruction personalized.
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