The story behind Balthazar Design
It all started when…
My name is Max Pigmans, Living in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. Ever since I was a little boy I always said to my parents I wanted to be an artist one day.
As a hobby, I began by making my own Minifigures of Lego from characters that hadnt been made in Lego yet. this eventually led to making little sculptures.
Growing up I wanted to pursue a creative job. So after High School I tried two different colleges but neither one seemed to motivate or inspire me enough to pursue the trade I was learning for.
I had various jobs in different fields but here too I never quite felt what I wanted. I never was able to satisfy that creative urge.
Eventually after diving deeper in what I wanted it led me to the field of Gold-Smithing, which immediately clicked due to the hobbying I had been doing over the years.
two of the many Lego Figures I have made
I began my route by following a try-out class to see if it was something I was good at. After this class I was introduced to a goldsmith, who would teach me the needed techniques. while I was learnign I grew more and more fond in the art and slowly converted my old hobby room into a proper functioning workshop.
After two years of learning from three different Goldsmiths, each with their own amazing styles to teach me I was able to graduate, but I knew the road ahead was still long. I still had a lot to learn.
However with the experience I gained I’ve already been able to complete various commissions, further boosting my confidence I took the right path.
But then. the year of Covid hit. A challenging time for many, myself included. I was supposed to learn from another goldsmith but due to restrictions this wasnt in the cards yet. I worked a little less too during this time because due to all the negativity in the world. I missed my friends and family. However, this did allow me to get more creative with my trade, and in this the first Bloem-Sier-Kunst Flower was born. which sparked a deep love for a whole new field in my trade! But then, at the height of that rush… My last living grandparent, My biggest fan and dearest confidance.. My grandmother, passed away. I was crushed. Grandma was the first to invest in my business and always looked at my journey with love and admiration.. And I repayed that Love and Admiration in kind. by making my first Ash-flower to give to my Father, her son.
This sparked yet another branch in the line, Bloem-Sier-Kunst evolved into something bigger, a way to imortalize people in gorgeous flowers! which eventualy became the backbone of my trade and business.
When Covid restrictions were loosened and ending in the end of ‘21 and start of ‘22 I began learning under another goldsmith yet again, and now in the start of ‘23 I’m working on my ultimate goal: Pursuing my own business in goldsmithing.
But what about the name?
The name Balthazar? Where did it originate from?
Balthazar was my best friend growing up. I didn’t have too many friends growing up, but I did have our household pet, our dog, my friend. Balthazar.
Balthazar was a gorgeous Baset Hound who saddly didn’t turn older then 8. I loved him dearly, their breed are pretty stubborn yet he really seemed to listen when I talked to him.
After he passed away I carried his name on in my online persona. I used his name ( in adition to the numbers 147) on every forum, account or game that I needed a profile on.
so when it came time to choose an artist name and/or company name the descision was clear as day for me:
‘‘Balthazar Design’’
this way I’ll never forget what he meant to me, and he’ll always be with me on this journey called life.
I love you Balthazar, Keep an eye on the other pets up there, and dont let grandpa feed you too many treats 😉
