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Hotwork247

@hotwork247

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Welding Instructor👩‍🏭Welder/Fabricator 🇺🇸 Union Steelworker 🇺🇲 Union Millwright ⚒️ Metal Artist 💎Owner @blue_collar_bougie

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You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop. — Rumi

No matter where I am, watching the sun rise and set are my favorite parts of the day.

I like to let my mind pause and just appreciate the beauty of the transitions.

It's easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life. Everyone needs an outlet.

I find the most peace in nature or under my welding hood. Focusing on the arc makes everything else fade away. Not so different than my fixation with the sun.

Find your light.

Relax and reset.

#sunset #ocean #healing #welder #womenwhoweld taken in Southern California by @hotwork247

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2 months ago

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a @women.who.weld one day workshop.

It was Samantha’s first CA workshop since 2018. I attended two of those workshops that year, where I met incredible ladies, many who were welding for the first time.

At the first one, I finally met Cynthia @hotsteelwelding after years of being Instagram friends. We’d both already built careers in welding, but neither of us had ever welded alongside other women.

That event was held at @californiaweldinginstitute i met and became instant friends with George and Mariana, founders of the Lake Elsinore school, lifelong advocates of the trade, and both Senior Certified Welding Inspectors (SCWI).

Denise was there too. A CA native who attended and loved those 2018 workshops so much that she completed the intensive program at Samantha’s school in Detroit.

I was surprised to see my friend and former SMAW student Monica, who was trying MIG welding for the first time.

I even got a tour of the @lincolnelectric facility from the awesome Kelsey Garrett, Senior Customer Training Instructor. If you’re interested in checking out Lincoln’s latest welding technology, definitely connect with her.

Women Who Weld gives women a safe, encouraging place to try welding - but Samantha creates something even bigger: community, confidence, and friendships that last forever.

Samantha Farrugia created a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches women how to weld, introduces them to opportunities in the welding industry, and helps prepare participants for employment, apprenticeships, and continuing education. They offer subsidized introductory workshops as well as intensive welding training programs. But honestly, I think what Samantha has built is bigger than welding.

##womenwhoweld #welder #migwelding #gmaw #weldingcommunity taken in Lincoln Electric by @hotwork247

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2 months ago

Found this vid of me grinding some junk off of a levelling plate before installing a new mounting plate on the bottom of a steel ladle. These are some of the components that allow the molten steel to be emptied at the caster.

I get a case of the feels when I reflect on my work in the steel mill. You have been fairly warned...

I've lost count of how many times people told me that I couldn't do something, that it wasn't possible, that it would never happen.

If I had listened, I would have stayed stagnant.

If I'd listened, I would've never stepped into a steel mill, never picked up a welding hood, never move halfway across the country, never become a welding instructor, or never met so many amazing people along the way.

Instead, I built a career I love. I've worked in places most people will never see. I've taught hundreds of students. I've gone back to school. I've accomplished things that once seemed impossible and I've experienced opportunities I once thought were out of reach.

Life has taken me places I never imagined—not because it was easy, but because I refused to stop trying to level up every time life knocked me down.

Every scar, every setback, every challenge taught me something.

The biggest lesson? Believe in yourself.

People will doubt you. People will project their own fears, failures, and limitations onto you. They'll tell you it's impossible because they couldn't imagine doing it themselves.

Manifest your goals. Put in the work. Dream bigger. Work harder. Keep going. Take risks. Fail. Get back up.

Always keep going.

#womenwhoweld #welder #welderchick #steelworker #steelmill by @hotwork247

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2 months ago

Closing out #NationalWeldingMonth by sharing an update to my welding story.

I've never wanted to be an "influencer." My social media presence has always been about my love for the trade. I shared my heavy industrial welding and fab work and found that young people, especially females, were curious about not only my career, but also my journey and the challenges I faced along the way. While working with the #ESABElite team and interacting with students at Fabtech, I realized that teaching the trade would soon become my next passion.

You may wonder why I disappeared - not just from social media, but from friends, family, and everything welding-related. On March 31st, 2023, I suffered a near-fatal accident and I am still recovering physically and mentally.

For the last six years, I’ve taught occasional welding classes in community colleges. Since my injury, it is the only thing I am still able to continue. Severe physical limitations mean I can no longer work full-time in the field I love. The PTSD and mental challenges of being permanently altered are even worse. Navigating that reality has been incredibly tough, but it has also made me a better instructor.

It’s been said "those who can't do, teach." I always took it as meaning the people that couldn’t make it in the field, or were retiring, would head to the classroom. For me, physical limitations forced this shift, but it has helped me navigate this huge change.

My students inspire me and give me a purpose. My true fulfillment is helping others overcome their own adversities.

Over the past two decades, I’ve built a network with some of the greatest welding instructors and industry professionals. These friendships mean so much to me.

Now I have a new mission - I want to help change the stigma around welding education. When I teach, my goal is to use my experience to prepare students to be workforce-ready and achieve whatever dream they have.

I'm very grateful to the entire welding community. I appreciate those who have stuck around since the beginning, and I hope to connect with new people as I finally start stepping back into the social world.

#womenwhoweld #welder #weldingins taken in Southern California by @hotwork247

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6 months ago

Sunset and SpaceX ✨️🚀 It was a gorgeous evening. So very grateful to have these stunning views and the opportunity to get out and enjoy them. Time to reset the mind and recharge the soul 🫶

#SpaceX #Falcon9 #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography taken in SoCal by @hotwork247

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6 months ago

Fabtech 2025 was amazing! I'm still processing everything that I experienced this week and will follow up with more.
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I want to thank the Glendale College Foundation for making this trip possible. It was my first time attending Fabtech as a welding educator, not just a welder/fabricator.
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I spent all 4 days walking the exhibits, meeting people, and learning as much as possible. I'm exhausted, but sad it's over. I'm already looking forward to next year in Las Vegas!
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#welder #womenwhoweld #welderwoman #weldinginstructor #maker#fabtech #fabtech2025 #chicago #sweethomechicago #ilovewelding #goodtimes #healing taken in McCormick Place by @hotwork247

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a year ago

Feeling like the old me (for 5 minutes anyway) ✨️💖✨️
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A student asked me to give him a quick #arcgouging demo.
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I realized that it's been 6 years since I last threw some sparks around with the #airarc. The hands don't forget 🔥
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I know I have been extremely withdrawn since my injury 2 years ago. I still have a lot of progress to make, but feel ready to speak on it and the permanent ways it has changed me, mentally and physically.
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I just wanted to start by sharing a quick portion of the 5 minutes that reminded me how good this used to feel.
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Looking forward to reconnecting with the awesome welding community here 💖
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#tgif #friday #fridayfeels #flashbackfriday #welder #maker #womenwhoweld #welderchick #weldingschool #weldinginstructor #welding #arcgouging #oxyfuel #sparks #throwingsparks #motivation #healing #selfie #rip #ozzy#ozzyosbourne by @hotwork247

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a year ago

Happy Halloween 🎃 Hope everyone had a killer day 🔪 I'm going to shadow some welding students 👻
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Loving my @dovetailworkwear coveralls 👩‍🏭

#halloween #michaelmyers #welder #welderwoman #womenwhoweld #welderchick #weldingschool #trickortreat by @hotwork247

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2 years ago

I'm easy to please 🌮❤️🍷#imstillalive #ilovetacos #beachlife #socal #welderchick #womenwhoweld #welderwoman #moretocome #newbeginnings #healing by @hotwork247

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2 years ago

taken in Southern California by @hotwork247

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3 years ago

My girls got all cute for the @taylorswift
concert & I didn't want to be left out...even though I'm not a #swiftie ❤️‍🔥
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#phoenix #risefromtheashes #risefromfall #flame #needaprayer #faith #flashbackfriday #throwback #welderchick #welder #womenwhoweld #maker #redhair #redhead #redhairgirl #selfie #smile #fyp #foryou #motivation #healing #healingprocess #behappy #smile taken in SoFi Stadium by @hotwork247

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3 years ago

Soon 🔥 Can't wait to get back at it 🔥

#onfire #phoenix #flames #riseagain #risefromtheashes #throwback #welder #maker #welderchick#womenwhoweld #metalart#scrapmetalart #fabrication#heavyequipmentwelding #throwingsparks #smaw #gmaw #arcgouging #oxyfuel #flashback #hireme #redhair #redhead #selfie #smile #motivation #motivationmonday #healing #healingprocess #behappy by @hotwork247

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3 years ago