Hooked: A Blacksmith’s Study of Function Through Form

Hooked: A Blacksmith’s Study of Function Through Form is not just a book; it’s a source of inspiration. Part coffee table book, part step-by-step guide, and part design motivation, it chronicles Matt’s 2016 #366Hooks project, in which he challenged himself to design and forge a different hook each day of the (leap) year. The result? 366 unique hooks, each a spark of creativity, distinct in style, shape, and process.

Each hook in this book tells a story—crafted from off-cuts of custom railings, inspired by motifs observed while traveling, incorporating tricks learned from many mentors, and marking special occasions. Individually, these hooks are intriguing; together in one book, they become mesmerizing.

Since the final hook was forged in December 2016, the project has gone on to tour as a solo exhibit. The Manitoba Craft Council debuted the show in 2018 at the C2 Centre for Craft’s Shirley Richardson Craft Gallery. Then, in 2022-2023, the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America toured the exhibit around the USA and Canada.

Cloverdale Forge focuses on creating unique ironwork for the cottage, kitchen, home, and garden. Matt Jenkins and Karen Rudolph collectively have over 40 years of metalworking experience. Dedicated to the design process, they mix traditional with a slash of contemporary to build custom works with hands, hammers, and anvils.