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I Quit: Fabricator Leaves Job to Forge a New Career in Creative Metalworking
junio 16, 2016By Sue Casement/3M StorytellerCold Hard Art
What started as a hobby has turned into a career for racing fan Thomas Patsis. He’s been hard at work creating a gift for legendary racer Jeff Gordon. Thomas discovered his passion for metalwork art when he borrowed his roommate’s welder. He was just out of school and working as a fabricator. “I had one class in welding,” he says. “I wanted to get better at it, so I just started making little cars and other random pieces.”
Cold Hard Art
What started as a hobby has turned into a career for racing fan Thomas Patsis. He’s been hard at work creating a gift for legendary racer Jeff Gordon. Thomas discovered his passion for metalwork art when he borrowed his roommate’s welder. He was just out of school and working as a fabricator. “I had one class in welding,” he says. “I wanted to get better at it, so I just started making little cars and other random pieces.”
Cold Hard Art
What started as a hobby has turned into a career for racing fan Thomas Patsis. He’s been hard at work creating a gift for legendary racer Jeff Gordon. Thomas discovered his passion for metalwork art when he borrowed his roommate’s welder. He was just out of school and working as a fabricator. “I had one class in welding,” he says. “I wanted to get better at it, so I just started making little cars and other random pieces.”
Thomas Patsis, welder and artist, sporting his 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet
When Tom’s roommate moved out and took his welder with him, Tom’s first customer-turned-benefactor bought him a new one. He said, “You have to keep making that cold, hard cash.” And Tom’s business, Cold Hard Art, was born.
He’s still using that welder today, and his hobby has become a full-time job. He was just able to quit his job as a fabricator to focus fully on creating art.When Tom’s roommate moved out and took his welder with him, Tom’s first customer-turned-benefactor bought him a new one. He said, “You have to keep making that cold, hard cash.” And Tom’s business, Cold Hard Art, was born.
He’s still using that welder today, and his hobby has become a full-time job. He was just able to quit his job as a fabricator to focus fully on creating art.When Tom’s roommate moved out and took his welder with him, Tom’s first customer-turned-benefactor bought him a new one. He said, “You have to keep making that cold, hard cash.” And Tom’s business, Cold Hard Art, was born.
He’s still using that welder today, and his hobby has become a full-time job. He was just able to quit his job as a fabricator to focus fully on creating art.
“I have enough orders to keep me busy for a while. I’m kind of obsessive once I start working, but now I’m hoping I’ll get some sleep."THOMAS PATSISARTIST, COLD HARD ARTCOLD HARD ARTMost of Thomas' portfolio is commissioned work – mainly cars and trophies – but he also likes to build things for his own enjoyment. He creates spoon roses, sculptures and guitars for musicians.
And when 3M employees wanted to create a gift to congratulate Jeff Gordon at the end of his accomplished racing career, they went to Cold Hart Art – a natural fit to build a model of the number 24 car for him.
3M RACINGCOLD HARD ARTMost of Thomas' portfolio is commissioned work – mainly cars and trophies – but he also likes to build things for his own enjoyment. He creates spoon roses, sculptures and guitars for musicians.
And when 3M employees wanted to create a gift to congratulate Jeff Gordon at the end of his accomplished racing career, they went to Cold Hart Art – a natural fit to build a model of the number 24 car for him.
3M RACINGCOLD HARD ARTMost of Thomas' portfolio is commissioned work – mainly cars and trophies – but he also likes to build things for his own enjoyment. He creates spoon roses, sculptures and guitars for musicians.
And when 3M employees wanted to create a gift to congratulate Jeff Gordon at the end of his accomplished racing career, they went to Cold Hart Art – a natural fit to build a model of the number 24 car for him.
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