Capri Originals – Woman And Machine | Welding

The organization started with the intent to teach women how to fix their own cars or just to learn their way around an engine. At the time, she was the editor of Girls ‘N Garages Magazine, and she took the teaching gig to promote it. She was a little unsure at first, because she didn’t know whether or not she would be a good teacher. But Todd talked her into it, and she was hooked.

She still teaches classes with Woman and Machine, and she now owns the company. While it’s still important to teach people about how to navigate their own car engines, classes offered by the company have expanded and now include welding and metal art along with car maintenance.

Karen teaches the intro to MIG and Intro to TIG workshops, which people can take to get a feel for which welding style suits them best. She also teaches art workshops, helping newcomers create unique sculptural pieces. In past workshops, students have created roses, abstract pieces, and seasonal works like snowmen and reindeer. Karen loves creating works of art with metal and enjoys sharing this skill with others.

Karen encourages young women who may be considering entering the field to go for it. She tells them to start taking classes and learn about different forms of welding to see what they enjoy. When they’re comfortable with their preferred style, she suggests looking for apprenticeships at local welding shops.

While the welding industry can be a challenge, Karen suggests looking for a mentor. She understands how the right mentor can guide people through the industry, which makes navigating the field less of a challenge.