Creative metalwork and welding, scrap metal sculpture.
Description
Our course is completely hands-on and student-led.
You will design your own project, set your own working pace, and go home with your original metalwork sculpture.
The day is facilitated by my two female metalworkers with broad experience in the industry. We will coach you through technical processes, as well as offering creative guidance and inspiriation.
WTF Workshops (Women Teaching Fabrication) offers a one-day intensive course, suitable for all levels of experience. Consecutive days can be booked if you'd like to do a larger or more complicated project, or if you'd like to gain a higher level of proficiency.
There will be a huge variety of interesting pieces of scrap metal to choose from, most of which are included in the course price. Lamp parts, Edison bulbs and clock movements can be purchased at cost price on the day.
We can also advise on equipment choices for those who really get the welding bug! We often have people return to us having set themselves up with the kit, and want extra tuition to get the results they want.
Tools available include:
- MIG welders
- Plasma Cutter
- Angle Grinders
- Cold Saw
- Pillar drill
- Sheet Roller
-Tube and bar roller
- Brazing equipment
- Oxy-propane torch for heat bending and cutting
...and many hand tools!
Group sizes are between three and five participants to two facilitators.
Apart from the teaching skills and supporting your creativity, we aim for us to all have a really enjoyable day! We hope to hear from you soon.
WTF (Women Teaching Fabrication) Workshops was founded by two female artisans with a broad range of skills and experience as freelance fabricators in the Arts industry, from events, theatre, TV and film to retail display, to industrial and agricultural fabrication.
Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. Start dates may be amended on request.
What's included in the price?
- Materials and consumables are included
- All tools, equipment and PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Tea, coffee and snacks.
We ask you to come along wearing suitable non-synthetic clothing with long sleeves and closed-toe, solid footwear. We also recommend you bring a packed lunch.
Maker
Annie or Felix at WTF WorkshopsVenue
St Phillips
Bristol
Bristol
BS2 0YA
Suitable for
- Adults
- Christmas
- Corporate days out & team building
- Easter
- Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
- Fairs, festivals & exhibitions
- Father's Day
- Hearing impaired
- Hen dos
- Intermediate level
- Limited mobility
- Mother's Day
- Parking provided
- Pet lovers
- Public transport
- Romantic
- Seniors
- Spooky
- Stag dos
- Suitable for beginners
- Teenagers
- UK Holiday
Duration
6 hours (10:00am to 4:00pm)
This craft course provider has been awarded Gold status for receiving 10 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.
The Students' Choice award ensures that course providers get recognised for their efforts in the teaching and practice of UK craft.
They also allow tutors to gain valuable feedback on their courses and for new students to find the course that's right for them.
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Reviews
I had a superb day with Felix and Annie. As soon as I got there I was put at ease. Felix and Annie started the day with the safety talk and a guide to how to use all the tools (MIG Welder, plasma cutter, saw, angle grinders). We then had a look through the scrap treasure trove and chose our items to make our goodies. We were then given one to one tuition on each tool that we needed to use. I used the MIG welder which I loved and the angle grinder was fun too. I came home with a lovely dog sculpture which now sits very happily in my garden. Both ladies are very knowledgeable and very patient (especially when I couldn't find my vision). I would highly recommend this course and I will definitely be doing another one. Thank you ladies for a truly brilliant day!
Response from WTF Workshops:
Ness, thank you so much for leaving such a lovely review. I hope your fantastic doggo sits and keeps you happy in your garden for many years to come. I hope we see you again!What a great day. Don't waste any time - get yourself on this course! Felix and Izzy were knowledgeable, encouraging, relaxed and approachable, giving suggestions when needed yet keeping a careful eye out for safety. Their overview of materials and cutting, shaping and joining techniques and equipment was pitched just right for this complete beginner. Izzy gave me a patient induction into MIG welding and the opportunity to practise before using it for real. The stock pile of scrap metal is a treasure trove. I was so pleased with the bike chain/car spring/spoon-pawed beast that came home with me - and impressed with what my lovely fellow attendees made too. The six hours flew by. WTF have opened my eyes to the possibilities ...
Response from WTF Workshops:
Cat, thank you so much! We had a lovely day, and were really happy with what you and the others made. Thank you for coming, and I hope we see you again one day!Izzy and Felix ran a brilliant course for us today, thank you!
The course was put together so well - catering for absolute beginners, but giving us real freedom and trust to use proper machinery (plasma cutters, MIG welders etc). The small course numbers meant we got one-to-one tuition on every machine. I was a bit concerned that I had been a bit overambitious in my project (a fire pit) but Izzy and Felix both jumped in to help where needed (but encouraged me to solve the more interesting challenges, like trying to weld closed a larger-than-planned hole!)
I would wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone, and will be telling everyone about it. Thank you both.
Response from WTF Workshops:
Ah Max, thank you for such a lovely review. It was great having you and Abbie with us, you both did really lovely projects and were both SO good at welding! Like, are you secretly both part time fabricators??! You're obviously very good learners...!I hope your fire pit and candle holder light up your home and bring you both lots of happiness :)
This was probably the best birthday present Ive ever had What a truly great day
The two instructors were both knowledgeable and very helpful, never felt judged or that any idea was seen as silly Ive already recommended this experience to a number of people
The workshop is very well equipped and because of keeping the group small one never has to wait to use the equipment Oh and not to forget the opportunity for endless cups of tea or coffee (but you wont want to stop because you will be having so much fun)
On the drive home I just felt that I would have had the whole day again if I could
Thank you Felix and Izzy
Response from WTF Workshops:
Thank you for your kind words Ryan! Your excitement for the work was evident, and it made the whole day more enjoyable for us too! And I wonder how your stork is holding up in her new employment? ;)I had a great day with WTF. Lots of techniques simply explained (MIG welding, brazing, plasma cutting, rolling, grinding etc) and lots of interesting scrap to try and create your own masterpiece. With 2 instructors to a maximum of 5 participants there is always help on-hand if you need it, along with endless tea and biscuits. Thoroughly recommended.
Response from WTF Workshops:
Thank you Ian! I'm glad you enjoyed your day with us! I hope your candelabra lights up your home for many years to come :)Really enjoyed the warm support and enthusiasm that Felix and Issey exuded.
Clever, artistic and great fun. Loved it
Response from WTF Workshops:
Likewise Jane! Thank you. I hope you're enjoying your incredible lamp.Amazing and super fun! I went for two days in a row which I found very useful, as on the second day I then knew how the different equipment worked and had more of an idea how to achieve my projects. It was great fun going hone the evening after day 1 and madly planning out what I wanted for day 2!
Everyone else was there for 1 day and all made the most amazing and diverse creations - I have so many other things I want to go back and make now.
Izzy and Felix were so knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic and encouraging. They both guided and challenged, and through their expertise I think we all achieved more than we thought we were capable of.
I totally recommend the one day course but I warn you, it’s addictive!!
Response from WTF Workshops:
Haha, Tessa you have the welding bug now! I can see it!It would be so great to have you back, you bring so my much energy and positivity with you. Your guys were just brilliant!
Felix and Izzy ran a simply fantastic course yesterday. It isn't an exaggeration to say they are among the best most supportive teachers of any subject I have tried (and that is a long list!). I would unreservedly recommend them to anyone. Strongly suggest people book WTF quickly because they are seriously underpriced.
Perfect.
Simon
Response from WTF Workshops:
It was such a pleasure to have you and Ali with us yesterday. Good luck with your acquisition of your own Kemppi and all the other kit to go with it! Don't be shy- we're always here to help and answer questions :)This course was such an enjoyable experience where you have complete support and help with any idea that pops into mind. All the tools are extremely fun to use, and I loved searching in the scrap pile finding different interesting cogs and wheels! Felix and Izzy where very inspirational and supported you throughout the entire course of the day. Looking forward to a next possible course of "Kiss my glass"! - Ernie
Response from WTF Workshops:
Thank you Ernie! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. You totally smashed it, your chicken is epic :) I really enjoyed helping you along in the creative process. It'd be our pleasure to have you back in the workshop whenever you like!My day at the scrap metal workshop was simply brilliant. I was made to feel comfortable and encouraged to be a creative as I pleased. The level of tuition was remarkable baring in mind the short time span and the potential new equipment being used. It felt safe and informative without retracting from a sense of creativity. Everyone there appeared to be happy with each different project. I would highly recommend this course and will try and return for more as soon as I can. Thank you!
Response from WTF Workshops:
Heather, such kind words, thank you!I have to say, you fully embraced the spirit of WTF Workshops and tore into your project with gleeful abandon, which is as inspiring for us as it is for the other people on the course that day. Thank YOU!
Sign up straight away! My 14 year old son and myself really enjoyed the day. Felix and Izy are welcoming, knowledgeable and patient. There is a great heap of scrap metal and help to think up something to make. The workshop is stocked with vices, hammers, welders, brazing tools, metal cutting saws and plasma cutters and you are issued with all the necessary instructions, support and safety equipment. Lunch outside in the sun with others on the course - great background music selection (Felix) and proud photos of creations by us all at the end of the day. WTF - sign up!
Response from WTF Workshops:
Haha, I love that you enjoyed my eclectic music mix!Having you and your son with us was a pleasure. It's inspiring seeing teenagers and their parents genuinely enjoying doing things together, and both taking something away from the day. I hope I have such a great relationship with teenager when my boy gets there in a few years!
V enjoyable course, hands on, good guidance, with course leaders who made me feel at ease from the start. Highly recommended
Response from WTF Workshops:
Thank you Mark! And thank you for coming :)Brilliant tutors who were knowledgeable and patient. Fantastic facilities too. Highly recommend.
Response from WTF Workshops:
Fran, it was so lovely to have you with us. I hope your beautiful bird gives your garden heads something to look at for years to come!I have wanted to do sculpting using metal for sometime and found this one day course in Bristol. It was a really enjoyable day and Annie and Felix were excellent tutors. They gave an overview of all the tools and equipment and then we were invited to choose from loads of different scrap metal to use in making our sculpture. Once we had chosen our 'metal' we were then given a brief one to one instruction on how to use whichever machine/technique we wanted to use first. They gave a quick demonstration, if needed, and then we were left to have a go. I am very much a 'hands on' person, l only learn by doing and invariably getting it wrong! They let me go through my process offering support or advice or further instruction where needed but not in an overbearing way and they never took over. The perfect balance for someone like me. I am really pleased with what l created, although l realise that it could be improved. I am going to go back to do the 'Kiss My Glass' 2 day workshop, where l hope to make a lamp.
Response from WTF Workshops:
Thanks so much MargaretIt was a pleasure having you on the course and we absolutely loved your dragonfly sculpture.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon at 'Kiss my Glass'.
What a great day I had today with the WTF peeps. Clever, helpful & they know their stuff! Looking forward to booking another day workshop & will recommend to everyone I know. Thank you Felix & Annie
Response from WTF Workshops:
We also enjoyed the day a lot! Your piece is totally stunning, and we loved your steady and open minded approach to the work.It would be lovely to see you again! :)
P.S. I hope your walls are strong enough for it to hang!
Superb course run in a relaxed yet very informative way. The instructors had a great way of letting the participants learn by offering an environment where they provided a healthy level of guidance prior to letting us use the various equipment within the workshop. I have always wanted to get to use and understand the principles of MIG welding and this course not only met my personal requirements but I left feeling confident to go and set up my own workshop at home. The icing on the cake was the items I created whilst on the course - I was there for 2 days but could easily have filled another day in just doing stuff. Loads of metal and bits to weld and create and all part of the great experience.
As a parent, (kids now considerably older than being at school), but if you have a child interested in doing creative welding, or just building the confidence and you are interested in learning together I reckon this would be a fantastic time spent - and you can take home not only something you have made together but learnt towards a new skill.
Great value for the money in my opinion.
Loved it!
Thank you for your time and support.... B
Response from WTF Workshops:
Thank you so much! :)Absolutely amazing course! These two young women have huge amounts of knowledge, skill, and fun! You are well supervised, but also given free rein to try things out independently. I have now, well and truly got the welding bug thanks to these amazing women. (Wish I could move in!) VS
As a novice to welding, both Annie and Felix, the course instructors were patient and informative. They allowed me to be independent with my work and instructed when I sought help. Both were knowledgeable and advised on the minimum equipments needed and the manufacturers to avoid to set up a workshop in my garage.
As a total beginner this workshop proved to be just what I was looking for, providing a safe introduction to the type of tools and techniques available to use in creating metal sculptures. There was plenty of equipment and scrap metal raw materials to choose from, and advice, instruction and creative suggestions were provided when needed to help everyone achieve their chosen metal project. A very enjoyable and productive couple of days....
Good facilities for metalworking, friendly and informative tutors. Thoroughly enjoyable with everybody achieving their vision of a sculpture/piece.