We were lucky to catch up with Tennysen Werttemberger recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tennysen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I never set out to become a metal artist — honestly, I didn’t even know how to weld at first. My husband is the one who taught me. I was curious about it, watching him work, and one day I finally asked him to show me how to use the welder. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was determined to try.

We had a pile of wheel studs and nuts lying around, and something about their shape caught my attention. I didn’t have a plan or any real technique, but I grabbed a few and started playing around with how they fit together. Before I knew it, I had made a little person — rough and simple, but it actually looked like something and it also moved! That tiny figure, made from scrap, felt like a spark.

That moment changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about welding anymore — it was about bringing something to life out of nothing. I realized I loved the process: the heat, the sparks, the creativity, the challenge of seeing something where others see junk. It became addictive in the best way.

From that first little figure, I started creating more — animals, signs, abstract shapes. Each piece pushed me to learn more and get better. It didn’t matter that I was new to it. What mattered was that I had found something that made me feel powerful, creative, and connected. That was the moment I knew I didn’t just want to weld — I wanted to make art.

That’s how TLC Welds was born. The name comes from my old initials, but it also speaks to the care I put into every piece. I don’t just weld metal — I pour love into each creation. My goal is to turn forgotten scrap into something beautiful, something meaningful. That’s why my slogan is:
“From Forgotten to Fabulous.”

I started welding just for fun, but I never imagined it would turn into something I’d do professionally. At the time, I was working full-time at a credit union. I cared about my members — I really did — but I never quite felt like I fit in. Something about the fluorescent lights, the strict dress codes, and the endless routine just didn’t sit right with me. I always felt like I was meant to do something different.

Meanwhile, I was welding on the side — squeezing in projects on nights and weekends. I’d show my members some of the things I was working on, and they were always so supportive and excited about it. One of the members ended up asking for a custom piece, a dragonfly— and absolutely loved it. He and his wife ended up ordering four more. Word spread fast after that. Suddenly I had more orders than I had time to fill, and I was constantly feeling torn between my job and my welding.

That’s when I realized — maybe this wasn’t just a side thing anymore. Maybe it was the thing. I had something real, something people connected with. And more importantly, I had finally found where I did fit in — creating with my hands, bringing joy to others, and turning scrap into art.

Taking the leap wasn’t easy, but I’ve never looked back. This work feeds my soul in a way nothing else ever has.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tennysen, the artist behind TLC Welds in Bountiful, Utah. I create custom metal art from 99% scrap — everything from animals and cars to realistic rifles and one-of-a-kind garden art. Most of my work is commission-based, and I love working closely with clients to bring their vision to life, whether it’s realistic, steampunk, or totally wild.

What sets me apart is that I don’t use templates or mass-produce anything. Every piece is built by hand, and often starts with one piece of metal that inspires the rest. I sketch larger builds on cardboard or just wing it when it feels right — it’s all instinct and hours of moving pieces around until it clicks.

I’m most proud of the soldier’s cross I made, which brought my client to tears, and a full-scale .50 cal machine gun replica with moving parts — all from scrap. I always aim to go beyond expectations and create something truly unforgettable.

My motto? If you can think it — and tell me in detail — I can probably make it.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Honestly? Support starts with seeing the value in creative work — not just as decoration or a hobby, but as real labor, real time, and real skill. So many people don’t realize what goes into building something from scratch, especially when it’s made by hand and from recycled materials.

Society could support artists better by encouraging people to buy from local creators instead of mass-produced big box stores, and by teaching that art isn’t just painting — it’s welding, carving, sewing, shaping, inventing. It’s all around us, in forms people don’t even realize are art.

Also: stop asking artists to work for exposure. If someone wants custom, one-of-a-kind work, they should expect to pay for the time, tools, and creativity that go into it. When artists are paid fairly, the whole creative ecosystem thrives.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part for me is seeing people’s reactions. When someone looks at a piece I made — from literal junk — and goes “Wait… you made this out of scrap?!” it’s the best feeling. I love taking something forgotten or thrown away and turning it into something meaningful that people want to show off or gift to someone they care about.

It’s especially rewarding when I can capture something personal, like a memory, a pet, or even a weapon they used in service — and make it in a way that hits them emotionally. If I can make someone laugh, tear up, or stare in awe, that’s everything to me.

And selfishly? I just love the challenge. Welding scrap into art is like solving a puzzle with no instructions. When it finally clicks — that’s pure satisfaction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Tlcwelds.com
• Instagram: @tlc_welds

Image Credits

@tlc_welds -TW