McCartney attended George Brown College, in Toronto, Canada, where he began his study of metalsmithing. He has continued his studies covering all phases of jewlery making at the Glassell School of Art, which is associated with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. He continues to participate in many workshops across the country. During his career in Houston, he has received many honors and had his work widely published nationwide. His most recent award is one of three first place prizes in Craft Houston 2008: Texas, which was presented at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.