Stories Behind the Brand Podcast
Forging a Unique Path: Stacey Mrva’s Story
In the premiere episode of Stories Behind the Brand, Howell Studios dives into the inspiring journey of Stacey Mrva, the owner and founder of Ironwood Studios. Stacey has spent decades mastering the art of metalwork, designing stunning public sculptures, and even teaching welding classes to empower others.
From her early days as a young artist experimenting with jewelry making to becoming a leader in a male-dominated industry, Stacey’s story is all about resilience, creativity, and passion.
Zack, our host, explores Stacey’s transition from fashion design to large-scale metalwork, her experiences as a woman in welding, and how she’s helping others find confidence through her welding workshops.
From Fabric to Fire: How Stacey Discovered Welding
Stacey’s journey into welding wasn’t exactly conventional. She started with an interest in fashion design and sewing, later shifting to metalsmithing during her time at Syracuse University. A simple sculpture class introduced her to welding, and she was instantly hooked.
That passion led her to start her own business, Ironwood Studios, where she’s spent the last 25 years designing custom metal sculptures, furniture, and public art installations.
“I took a sculpture class where I got to use a welder, and I was like, this is it. I want to go big,” Stacey recalls.Â
That passion led her to start her own business, Ironwood Studios, where she’s spent the last 25 years designing custom metal sculptures, furniture, and public art installations.
Breaking Barriers: Welding in a Male-Dominated Industry
Welding is often seen as a man’s world, but Stacey never let that stop her. From navigating welding supply shops to building relationships with industry veterans, she carved out her space with determination and skill. She says, “I was open to asking questions and admitting I didn’t know exactly what I was doing. But over time, I proved I belonged.” Rather than being discouraged by stereotypes, she embraced the challenge, proving that talent speaks louder than gender.
Empowering Others Through Welding Workshops
One of the most powerful aspects of Stacey’s work is her ability to teach and inspire others. Through her welding classes, she’s helped countless students—many of whom are women—gain confidence in working with metal.
Her approach to teaching is simple:
- Hands-on learning – She believes in letting students figure things out by doing, rather than over-explaining.
- Empathy-based instruction – By understanding how people learn, she adapts to each student’s needs.
- Encouragement – Welding isn’t just about making metal stick together; it’s about empowerment and self-confidence.
“Sometimes, these classes aren’t even about welding. It’s about empowering people—helping them realize they’re stronger than they think.”
She’s had students take her class over a dozen times, and some have even shifted their career paths because of the experience!
Final Thoughts: A Story of Passion, Persistence, and Purpose
From breaking industry norms to inspiring future generations, Stacey Mrva’s story is one of passion, resilience, and artistic vision. Whether she’s welding public sculptures, teaching students, or creating custom commissions, her work is more than just metal—it’s about bringing people together and telling stories through art.
Want to see more of Stacey’s incredible work? Visit Ironwood Studios to explore her projects and learn about upcoming workshops.
And don’t forget—Stories Behind the Brand is just getting started! Stay tuned for more episodes where we highlight visionary entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry leaders.
🎧 Catch the full episode on the Howell Studios Podcast! or watch below!
