David Badman, a metalsmith, custom jewelry designer, and owner of Bd, has been a downtown business in Grand Forks since 1988, specializing in custom, one-of-a-kind pieces to fit any area of your life.

David’s design lab & showroom is located in historic downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota, which is where David has lived since the Super Bowl blizzard of 1975 blew his family into town from a tour in the United Kingdom. His Father served in the Air Force.

David began creating jewelry in 1985 and completed a degree in Fine Arts at the University of North Dakota, but before graduation, he opened his first business, Studio 18, in 1988. He recalls his first summer in business as a rather lonesome one, with only flies for company. But he persevered and in the ensuing years, he moved his studio to four progressively larger downtown locations to accommodate his growing business.

David’s design work incorporates mixed metals and terra-cotta clay and has progressed from jewelry and accessories to designs for the home, residential & commercial installations and outdoor sculptures. His work has been featured in several publications, on HGTV’s Modern Masters and sold throughout the United States. Combinations of textures and metals cut into distinct shapes/icons became his signature. His pieces are becoming recognized around the world. David’s design talents are best shown in his custom pieces for individuals that depict not only the personality of the people involved but also the space for which it is intended. Each custom design is a reflection of an idea or person for whom it was created.

Much of the shopping experience at Bd is watching David and his staff work, enjoying his humor, learning about the processes that go into each piece and often getting a tour that includes viewing his latest designs. Each of his metal designs, including furnishings, railings, sculptures, and installations are created entirely within the walls (and inside the welding shop) of the Bd Studio.

Individuals related to a project have always been welcome to stop by the studio to view the piece as it is being created or check in via web/art cams, This, David believes, adds credibility to the work and a greater understanding of the piece, not as it is when completed, but rather as it progresses through the various stages of production.

Today, Bd is located on South 3rd Street in historic downtown Grand Forks and is a 5,000 square foot expansive design lab and showroom. Here David and his Bd crew create, display and sell their artwork (jewelry and the ever-changing inventory of home designs including mirrors, wine racks, tables, benches, boxes, lamps, railings, wall hangings, small sculpture, outdoor sculpture and their popular limited edition holiday ornaments).

Learn more about commissioning a custom piece!

Meet the Bd Crew

Say hello to, Hayes Muiderman, he started with Bd in 2019.

What’s a typical day like for you at the shop?
Days aren’t “typical” here so it’s about showing up and figuring out what new project we have going on. As Dave designs work, he has me cutting out parts, soldering, polishing, whatever the job needs. On occasion, I also get a chance to help in the back especially while we’ve been working on the downtown light pillar project. I got learn to grind metal for the pillars and that was a new skill.

Do you have any skill for talents that most people don’t know about?
I work on fun tricks handling a spinning butterfly knives and I’ve helped my dad build guitars.

What do you do in your spare time?
I practice jiu jitsu. I like going for bike rides, and I also sharpen kitchen knives for friends and family.