About the Founders & Owners of Joel McFadden Designs​

​Based out of the JMD Studio in Holly Springs, NC, Joel McFadden Designs serves clients locally—open Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM, with private appointments available after hours and on weekends. We also proudly serve a nationwide customer base, consulting with clients across the country to manage their fine jewelry needs. Behind every piece that leaves our bench is a dedicated partnership bridging centuries of traditional goldsmithing with an unparalleled commitment to the client experience.

​Meet the team bringing your vision to life.

​ Joel McFadden
 Mentor Class Master Goldsmith, Custom Designer & Co-Owner​

Joel McFadden was born into a legacy of craftsmanship. Tracing his lineage back through generations of European goldsmiths dating to the 1500s, fine jewelry making is part of his DNA.

His formal bench training began at age 12, learning the delicate art of diamond setting directly from his grandfather. Since those early days at the bench, Joel has risen to the forefront of the American jewelry industry, earning dozens of national awards for design excellence, technical ingenuity, and master craftsmanship.

Joel is one of only three craftsmen in the United States to earn the prestigious title of Mentor Class Master Jeweler. This rare distinction reflects not only his elite technical mastery in CAD engineering, precious metal fabrication, and gem setting, but also his dedication to teaching the next generation of bench jewelers.
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Throughout his career, Joel has founded and operated acclaimed custom design studios across the country. Yet his greatest motivation has always been the personal connection: he loves working with clients and getting to know them—whether he is crafting a custom engagement ring from scratch, breathing new life into a family heirloom, or engineering a complex restoration. His patient, straightforward approach demystifies the design process, ensuring every client feels comfortable, informed, and inspired from the very first sketch to the finished piece.

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Bonnie Strong
Partner, Co-Owner & Director of Client Experience

While Master Goldsmith Joel McFadden brings centuries of bench tradition to the studio, Bonnie Strong is the driving force behind the seamless JMD client experience. As Partner and Co-Owner, Bonnie guides every client through their journey from the initial concept to the final reveal.

Having immersed herself in the world of fine jewelry through an intensive multi-year mentorship under Joel, Bonnie pairs deep technical gemological knowledge with decades of executive leadership in project management, client relations, and logistics. Her background owning and operating a high-end remodeling and construction business gives her an architectural understanding of project scope and execution—ensuring that all studio operations—whether coordinating a highly detailed custom design or managing a vintage restoration—are executed flawlessly from start to finish.
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Bonnie directs the entire client relationship, serving as the collaborative bridge between your personal vision and the jeweler’s bench. She assists with initial design consultations, visual renderings, and client communications, while maintaining an uncompromising standard of final quality control. Behind the scenes, Bonnie manages daily studio operations, allowing Joel to focus entirely on handcrafting each piece.

Known for her genuine warmth, keen eye for design balance, and specialized passion for colored gemstones, Bonnie ensures that commissioning a piece at Joel McFadden Designs is transparent, stress-free, and truly memorable.