MJSA has appointed Joel McFadden as director of its newly formed MJSA Council of Custom Jewelers.

Formed in 2017, the Council of Custom Jewelers consists of custom jewelers and suppliers who aim to guide MJSA’s efforts in promoting excellence and consumer confidence in custom design.

As director, McFadden will be responsible for channeling the expertise of members into articles, educational materials, and promotional content.

An award-winning custom jeweler based in Red Bank, N.J., 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 also been a regular presenter at MJSA’s At the Bench Live demonstrations, most recently during the MJSA Expo in New York City. 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, in a statement. “Now as director, he will energize the council, and we are lucky to have such a perfect candidate to advance our mission.”

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,” through his continuing educational efforts at industry shows and events, and continuing to share his knowledge through jewelry-related social media forums.

(Image courtesy of MJSA)

Rob Bates

JCK News Director