No problem! Most of our students have never struck an arc before. Our workshops are designed for complete beginners. We start with a safety orientation and the fundamentals of MIG welding, which is the most intuitive and beginner-friendly process. We also learn how to use each piece of equipment and work on a small project together for more practice. By the end of the first morning, you’ll be comfortable with the gear and ready to unleash your creativity with one of my specially designed projects.

Not at all. Because this is an artistic intensive, experienced welders can spend less time on the "how-to" and more time on advanced sculpture techniques, complex joins, and refining their metal art.

Welding artistically asks you to think differently about the way you use your tools, and probably introduces you to new tools and techniques not usually taught or used in industrial welding classes. Shaping metal into a 3D sculpture is a whole new set of skills. We've had structural and industrial welders, even a Red Seal join the class and found lots to learn and lots of enjoyment.

Yes! About half of my students are women and they rock it! Art is for everyone and there is nothing about welding that is limited by gender.

If you're concerned you'll be the only girl, you can message me for a sense of who has already booked the date you're interested in, or even better - bring a friend! We have lots of friends, partners, parent & child, and spouses booking a class together.

Participants must be 18 or older to attend the workshop alone. Those aged 14 to 17 need an accompanying adult. All participants must sign a liability waiver before starting.

These are mixed aged classes, but students do need to be able to work independently using professional grade welders and other tools. 

Through my partnership with Lincoln Electric Canada, I have all the tools you need, plus professional grade weld helmets, coats, gloves, beanies, dust masks, and safety glasses.

Although I provide all the safety equipment, you do need to dress appropriately. Long pants, comfortable cotton tops (short or long-sleeved), and closed toed shoes (work boots or sneakers are fine). Why cotton? Sparks can fly and synthetic materials are flammable! Cotton and other natural fibres are safer. For the same reason, long hair should be tied back. 

IF YOU WEAR READING GLASSES, PLEASE BRING THEM! You comfortably can wear your glasses under safety glasses and the weld helmet - and they'll definitely make the work easier.

My studio is located on my property in a century stone shop converted to my art studio. There are individual work stations for each student plus common spaces with some cool tools and surfaces for practicing your new art techniques.

Professional fume extractors keep the air clear as much as possible, but welding and grinding can be dirty - that's why we wear dust masks, beanies, coats, and glasses.

Because welding requires long pants and coats, I keep the studio cool. For stinking hot summer days, there's AC, and in the winter, we have heat and a woodstove if it's extra chilly.

Some parts of artistic welding are easier if you stand - for leverage swinging a hammer - even just for perspective looking at your sculpture. However, I have bar stools available and many students are comfortable sitting while welding and grinding.

The short answer is no. The long(er) answer is: We have to walk before we run! The projects you choose from have been designed to give you maximum exposure to practicing all your new skills. It takes work to learn to plasma cut, tack weld, hammer, bend, and embellish. I want to be sure you get to the end of the weekend with a finished sculpture and some serious hours under your belt using all the tools of artistic welding. 

Located in beautiful Oxford County, Southwestern Ontario, we are about a 15-minute drive from St. Mary's, and 20 minutes or so from Stratford, Woodstock, and Ingersoll. That's about 35 minutes from London, and two hours from Toronto (on a Saturday morning!)

There is no public transportation to Harrington, so please plan accordingly.

We're in Harrington! Along with a handful of our neighbours and friends, and not much else, that means finding accommodation nearby, and bringing your own food (no restaurants will even deliver - gasp!)

Due to the small class size and the amount of preparation involved, all bookings are final.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations or no-shows.

Please be sure you can attend before registering—each spot is limited, and your booking helps cover materials, planning, and studio time.

If something urgent comes up, you're welcome to transfer your spot to a friend—just let me know in advance.

Thanks for understanding and supporting independent artists!