(PRESS RELEASE) MJSA, the trade alliance dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, has appointed Joel McFadden as director of the MJSA Council of Custom Jewelers.
An award-winning custom jeweler based in Red Bank, NJ, McFadden has been a frequent presenter at industry conferences and events, as well as a contributor to industry publications (including the monthly MJSA Journal). He’s passionate about sharing his expertise in setting, finishing, and other bench techniques: He’s been a regular presenter at MJSA’s At the Bench Live demonstrations (most recently during the MJSA Expo in New York City), and he and Tira Mitchell of Engraver.com have started an online training program called “Precision Bench.” In recognition of his educational efforts, the Council of Custom Jewelers last year named him its first-ever Mentor Jeweler.
“Joel is a passionate member of the jewelry-making community, and as someone who has spent his career both sitting at a jewelry bench and energizing the jewelry trade, he is uniquely connected to jewelers from all over the country,” says council chair Lee Krombholz, owner of Krombholz Jewelers in Cincinnati. “Now as director he will energize the council, and we are lucky to have such a perfect candidate to advance our mission.”
Formed in 2017, the council comprises some of the industry’s leading custom jewelers and suppliers, all of whom help to guide MJSA’s efforts in furthering professional excellence and promoting consumer confidence in custom design. (A full list of members is available on the MJSA.org website.) As director, McFadden will be responsible for channeling the members’ expertise in the development of articles, educational materials and promotional content.
Among his first goals, McFadden will work with MJSA’s editorial director, Shawna Kulpa, to develop articles that will be published in MJSA Custom Jeweler (a special section published quarterly in the Journal) as well as online at MJSA.org. He will also begin developing the content for a web portal devoted specifically to custom design, with information targeted to both consumers and professional jewelers.
In addition, he will serve as a “custom ambassador,” continuing his educational efforts at industry shows and events, offering his knowledge through jewelry-related social media forums, and generally promoting the craft of custom design.
For more information about the MJSA Council of Custom Jewelers, go to MJSA.org or call 1-800-444-MJSA (6572), ext. 3025.