BENCH🔥FUSION SPEAKERS
Gary Dawson
Owner, Rhino Jewelry CAD
Gary Dawson is the owner of Gary Dawson Designs. This online custom design operation was once featured as a “Best of the Best” by Instore Magazine, and Rhino Jewelry CAD, a CAD/CAM educational solution for jewelers, offering a course of instruction for Rhinoceros3D. Rhino Jewelry CAD is also a Rhinoceros 3D reseller. Dawson has over 50 years of experience in creating designs that capture the personalities and stories of his customers. He is one of only 3 “Mentor Jewelers” named as such by MJSA. He has delivered seminars and presentations at numerous events, including AGTA GemFair, the Portland Jewelry Symposium, and the Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology. He was awarded the Jewelry Technology Leader Award at the 34th Santa Fe Jewelry Symposium for his work on “Additive Manufacturing on the Bench and in the Workshop.”
Joel McFadden
Designer & Owner, Joel McFadden Designs
Custom guru Joel McFadden is the owner of Joel McFadden Designs in Chapel Hill, NC. He developed a pricing system for repairs that he will share in his session. He has operated a custom shop for over 30 years and was selected as MJSA's first Mentor Jeweler. His knowledge of the custom jewelry business allowed him to be the first director of the Council of Custom Jewelers.
Jordan Mantzke
Founder & Youtuber, Modern Goldsmith
Modern Goldsmith is creating beautiful + sustainable jewelry for people all over the world — by blending traditional goldsmithing techniques with modern tools and materials. Jordan is a goldsmith specializing in custom jewelry, restoration, and videography. His YouTube videos have been viewed over 30 million times and have gained a following of 325K subscribers.
Rob Mitchell
Co-Founder, Precision Artistry
Rob Mitchell co-owns Precision Artistry LLC and administers Engraver.com and Precision Bench. He handles the paper so the creatives can focus on their art.
Tira Mitchell
Founder, Engraver.com
Tira Mitchell founded Engraver.com in 1996, originally focused on her custom engraving work. The site now offers innovative hand engraving tools for jewelers, hand engravers, and stone setters worldwide through her business, Precision Artistry LLC. Tira’s personal engraving can be found at TiraMitchell.com.
Her flagship product, the PulseGraver®, is an electric, airless engraving machine known for its compact design and superior functionality. Tira also introduced the Leica A60-F microscope to the engraving industry, establishing it as the standard. She continues to offer high-quality, reliable tools and training to help engravers improve their craft.
With nearly 30 years of experience in engraving, teaching, and demonstrating, Tira remains committed to quality, service, and support for her customers. For more information, visit Engraver.com.
Chris Ploof
Founder and Instructor, Chris Ploof Designs
Chris Ploof is a renowned American jeweler and metalsmith known for his innovative use of alternative materials like Damascus steel, meteorite, and Mokume Gane, a traditional Japanese metalworking technique. Based in Massachusetts, Ploof blends ancient techniques with modern craftsmanship to create heirloom-quality jewelry.
Inspired by artisans in his youth, Ploof’s journey began with a passion for metalworking and evolved through diverse experiences in the U.S. Army and bicycle industry. His dedication to mastering intricate techniques like Mokume Gane established him as a leader in the field, producing some of the finest jewelry of its kind.
Committed to sustainability, Ploof operates a solar-powered studio that exceeds its energy needs. Over his career, he has received numerous accolades, including the Industry Leader Award from the Santa Fe Symposium.
Today, Chris Ploof continues to craft timeless, innovative designs that honor tradition while embracing modernity.