ArtMetal

I know nothing about welding except that the welder is used to heat metal and fuse it together (is that close at all?) but I do have an interest in it as my husband & a friend of ours enjoys it. I would like to buy Christmas gifts for my husband and our friend that would be welding-sculpture related but don't know what/where to start. Any suggestions? What kind of tools or gadgets are useful, whats a good, all around resource that I could get to learn more about this? Appreciate any help you can give me. I'd like to do more than just know about it, I hope to participate in it with my husband. Thanks!