When Jen Loree picked up a welding torch at 15 in her high school shop class, she was following a practical path into the trades. She never could have predicted that she’d make a living welding realistic high end sculptures.
From the oil fields of Alberta to her single-car garage studio, Jen’s grit and determination align with Montana Knife Company’s values. We’re thrilled to welcome this talented artist, mother, and hunter into our family of brand ambassadors.
From Rich Valley to the Rigs
Growing up in Rich Valley, Alberta — a village of just 32 people — shaped Jen's connection to hard work and rural living.
“We grew up outdoors, hunting, fishing, and always worked quite a bit on the acreage,” she says. Whether picking rocks in the field or taking down fence lines, her country upbringing instilled a work ethic that would serve her well later in life.
With her stepfather in the oil patch and her brother working as a pipe fitter, welding felt like a natural path. By her sophomore year of high school, Jen had landed her first welding job. After graduation, she dove headfirst into pipeline construction, earning her journeyman welding ticket at 21 and working as a structural welder on pipeline stations.
A Life-Changing Pivot
At 22, Jen’s life took an unexpected turn.
Pregnant with her daughter, she had to put her plans for a mobile welding business on hold. Three months after giving birth, she earned her B-pressure pipe welding certification — one of Alberta’s toughest welding tests — still determined to support her family through her trade.
But when oil field work slowed and local jobs disappeared, Jen struggled to go on. “I spent a couple months trying to find a job,” she recalls.
That’s when Metal Monkey Design Co. was born in her garage, though not as the art business it would become. She started with practical items — table bases and structural pieces to pay the bills.
When Welding Became Art
The transition to art began with a simple gift.
“I made my grandpa a little blue jay out of cutlery,” Jen says. “It’s definitely not impressive by any means, but it sparked my passion.”
She posted it online, and family members started requesting pieces. An uncle wanted a dragonfly. Someone else asked for a mallard, which she made out of spoons and knives.
Just three sculptures into her artistic journey, Ducks Unlimited shared that mallard. Then, outdoor writer Jim Shockey saw it and shared it with his massive following.
“That’s what turned everything around and really put my name out there,” Jen says. Suddenly, the woman everyone dismissed as having a “cute little hobby” was fielding requests from across North America.
Making Her Mark in the Field
Though she spends most of her time in her studio, Jen maintains her connection to the outdoors through hunting.
Two years ago, she picked up a bow for the first time. Six months later, she was in northern Saskatchewan, drawing back on a black bear.
“I was grinding. I was shooting every day, building up some confidence,” she says.
That bear became her first archery harvest — quite the debut for someone who refused to wait years to chase her hunting dreams.
Steel-Strong Values
Metal Monkey Design Co. is Jen’s lesson to her two kids.
“I think the biggest thing is believing you can do anything and that it’s possible to be successful and make your dreams come true,” she says. “There’s no better way to teach [my kids] than to lead by example.”
She wants her children to know they’re not limited to the conventional path. “I’ll always support them in any crazy idea they have,” she says, understanding firsthand that “crazy ideas” can turn into thriving businesses.
Why MKC?
Jen first met MKC founder Josh Smith at a sheep show three years ago. Their conversation that day — and many since — revealed a shared philosophy about pursuing passion against all odds.
“When you’re passionate about something, you’ll do anything to see that dream come to life, whether that’s working a normal job and then working on your passion at night or on Saturdays,” she reflects. Josh wholeheartedly agrees.
Beyond the entrepreneurial kinship, Jen values MKC’s commitment to American manufacturing. “That’s very rare nowadays,” she notes. “As a small business owner, you’re happy to support those kinds of people.”
Jen’s go-to MKC knife is the Speedgoat. “I carry that one in my pocket all day. It’s not bulky — just a really nice, thin, light knife.”
The Art of Balance
Today, Jen juggles her growing business with family life and personal passions. When she’s not creating metal masterpieces, you’ll find her in the gym, teaching her kids archery with their new little bows, or exploring Alberta’s wilderness. Fishing and hiking fill the rare quiet moments, always with family in tow.
Want to follow Jen's artistic journey and outdoor adventures? Here’s where you can find her:
Instagram: @JenLoreeOfficial
Website (Metal Monkey Design Co.): metalmonkeydesignco.com
YouTube: @JenLoreeOfficial
