History
John Paul Designs was established in Bend, Oregon in 1997. Initially it was a workshop in his garage, then a basement studio in the old JC Penny's building, then in the old Post Office building which was torn down for the parking garage and finally, for the last 15 years, at 1006 Bond Street in downtown Bend. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UW-Stout in Wisconsin. John Paul apprenticed in Vail, Colorado and Madison, Wisconsin with talented designers and goldsmiths at each location. John Paul opened his own atelier the summer of 1997 in Bend, Oregon.
Specialties
John Paul Designs specializes in custom one of a kind wedding rings and contemporary bridal rings. Each ring is made to fit you, your lifestyle and your wishes and desires. John Paul sits with you and your mate and gleans information from you about your likes and dislikes, wants and needs, and sketches ideas until a final design has been reached. Sometimes this takes ten minutes, sometimes it can be several meetings. Each case is different. Each client is different. Each ring is different. Each ring is carved in wax by hand and cast or fabricated in metal, all by hand. John Paul feels it is this hand working that imparts the spirit of the piece. When jewelry is made by machines, you can tell. Everything is perfect and devoid of the human touch. This is what makes John Paul Designs jewelry unique.