What is NMJA?
The New Mexico Jewelers Association is a membership organization focused on the education, qualification, and promotion of New Mexico Jewelers.
NMJA Board
Harley McDaniel
President
Harley McDaniel is the Chair of Fine Arts, Film & Digital Media at Central New Mexico Community College and the founder of CNM’s Fine Arts Jewelry program. Harley has been teaching Jewelry courses at CNM since 2015. In the early 2000’s Harley worked as a bench jeweler for several different jewelry companies in Ohio. His career as an educator began at Miami University of Ohio in 2004 and Harley has since taught at colleges in Texas, Minnesota, and Illinois, finally settling into New Mexico for the long haul in 2009 when he began his career at CNM as a Fulltime Art Instructor. He earned a B.F.A. in Jewelry from Bowling Green State University and an M.F.A. in Jewelry from Miami University. Harley has been honored with numerous awards that recognize his teaching and jewelry contributions, including the 2019 Technology Innovation Award at the Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing.
Shannon Sweet
Vice President/Secretary
Shannon Sweet is the Owner and Founder of Desert Moonshine Jewelry, the Jewelry Studio Technician for Central New Mexico Community College, a Fuse Makerspace Instructor, and the Vice President/Secretary for the New Mexico Jewelers Association. She was born and raised in Hawaii, achieved her Bachelors of Art at Ithaca College in New York, and then found herself in the Land of Enchantment falling in love with the desert mountains. She considers it an immense privilege to study and work in the jewelry field here in the culturally-rich New Mexican jewelry environment and to serve that community by encouraging others to pursue Jewelry Skilled Trades and Arts.
Mathew James Shepardson
Treasurer
Hi, my name is Mathew James Shepardson and I am the founder of Tskies Jewelry in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am a native New Mexican of Caucasion, Spanish and Indiginous descent. My jewelry is usually pretty simple. I like taking timeless minimalist styles and adding a touch of southwestern flair. I like geometric patterns, and sharp angles, but sometimes I just have to stop and listen to nature and in doing so, the designs soften and these beautiful curves emerge. Every piece needs that hand touch. There is nothing like cutting a piece of turquoise. I think the intention shines through and people can tell the difference. I believe that is one of the reasons some of these pieces have been so successful. I am inspired by symbols from around the world, many of which have made their way here to the southwest.