MAKING TRAINING WORK — Jace Brown, left, and Zane Cunningham, junior welding students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, are putting their training to work by crafting metal roses, animals and other shapes and selling them on their respective Facebook pages. Items sell for $25-$80 and have proven to be successful ventures. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — Jefferson County Joint Vocational School welding students are putting their training to work by selling homemade creations.

Juniors Jace Brown and Zane Cunningham, who are students at Buckeye Local High School, are using the skills they gained in instructor Todd Parker’s JVS program to make some cash by crafting metal animals, crosses and other shaped decor and selling them on their respective Facebook pages.

Brown, the son of Joe and Audra Brown of Adena, has been making crosses, frogs, owls, roses, flamingoes and more in his home welding shop for the past four months and said his side hustle has been gaining some traction.

“I have a Facebook page and ship them,” he said. “I just enjoy it. I think it’s cool that I can make something that looks like a creature.”

He said most of his animal shapes are created from horseshoes and sold on his J.B.’s Fab Shop Facebook page, while costs range from $25 to $60 for merchandise. Brown noted that his training has prepared him for his venture.

“I didn’t think about welding until I started at the JVS,” he said. “Mr. Parker helps you no matter what.”

Meanwhile, Brown plans to attend the Hobart Institute of Welding in Troy upon graduation.

Cunningham, the son of Bill and Laurie Cunningham of Brilliant, also has been creating his wares at home during the past few months and peddles them on his personal Facebook page, plus his sister has sold items at her workplace. Like Brown, he creates crosses and animals but also builds and repairs trailers and makes wine and gun racks at his home. Prices range from $25 to $80 for roses and various animal shapes.

He said his experience at the JVS has enabled him to start his small business and he plans to be a welder after he graduates.

“I started coming here and fell in love with it. It’s taught me a tremendous amount and Mr. Parker and my buddies are helpful when I need it,” Cunningham added. “It’s taught me respect, it’s taught me life skills, it’s taught me about dedication.”

His goal is to enter an apprenticeship with the pipefitters’ union and ultimately become a journeyman.