Lighting the flame

She is not a tomboy, but isn’t a princess, either.

Much like the craft and career path Theresa Siochowicz has followed, Siochowicz is very diverse. She is a welder, but that doesn’t make her masculine nor is she Alexandra Owen from Flashdance.

Siochowicz just likes the flame.

“It is like shooting a gun for the first time,” Siochowicz said of the excitement and anxiety she felt when she first picked up the torch.

Welding is Siochowicz’s creative and meditational outlet. Once the helmet is down the whole world seems to disappear, she said. All she is focused on is the flame and puddle of metal that pools at its tip.

The craft was something Siochowicz just kind of fell into.

In Calgary she got a job working with a British coppersmith making swords for plays and shows. He saw talent in her and encouraged Siochowicz to reach for higher goals.

Siochowicz put her hours toward an apprenticeship program and after three years of education received her journeyman papers in 2002.

The male dominate field did not phase Siochowicz ambition to enter the career. She had worked in construction before and on the pipelines in Alberta. Siochowicz only saw opportunity.

Four years ago she opened up her own welding and fabrication shop – The Welder Chic – in Victoria.

Being her own boss allowed Siochowicz to spend more time with her son, Brodey. Welding and the trades are great for single-parents, she added, you can make more money in less time.

“And you don’t need to be super strong,” Siochowicz said of welding.

More women are entering welding.

There are also many funding opportunities for females interested in trades, Siochowicz said. One such organization which helped her out was the Women’s Enterprise Centre.

This August Siochowicz is hosting women’s welding workshops. In the four-week class participants will complete four projects to take home. Equipment will be provided.

A lot of baby boomers are interested in the craft, many of whom just never thought of welding as a option for women, Siochowicz said.

“There are women as old as 79 interested in taking the course,” she said.

For more information on The Welder Chic and the workshops, please visit www.thewelderchic.com.

raldous@vicnews.com