Happy New Year!

It's almost 2016 already .... where on earth did 2015 disappear to??  It seems like the year had just begun, and here we are at the end already.   I hope you all had a nice year ... I did!  The highlight, of course, was the birth of my sweet little grandson, Jaxon William.  

Jaxon was born on November 5th via an emergency c-section due to cord complications.  He was only 2 weeks early, but needed to stay in the NICU for 3-1/2 weeks due to some medical problems caused by the cord issues.  I'm thrilled to say that since Jaxon has been home with his parents and brother, he's been doing just wonderfully!  Gaining weight, inches, and strength like a champ!  Our Christmas was very blessed with this new little addition to our lives.  ;)

Of course the holidays are a very busy time for me, because I'm one of those people who think she has to do it all, do it over the top, and do it handmade.  I made gazillions of treats and goodies for gifts for the family and some friends, and although every year I say I'm going to cut back, not do it, maybe do something different ... each Christmas I feel compelled to go nuts in the kitchen.  Maybe next year I'll slow down ...

Along with holiday shopping and everyday life with hubby, pets, and work, I never even got a chance to sit down in my jewelry workroom in December!  I missed creating in my cozy cave so much that the day after Christmas, I cleaned up the table, reorganized a few things and prepped for what I hope will be a productive New Year of jewelry-making.

My New Year's resolution and goal is to advance my jewelry business.  Towards that end, I am again taking the Build a Line Challenge Master Class given by B'Sue Boutiques during January to March.  Why take the class again when I already successfully completed it (with even a mention of my line at the end of the class by the judges)?  There are several reasons, which you'll learn more about in my first blog hop for the class in late January.  ;)  Suffice it to say that I'm excited to develop my new BALC jewelry line!

There's also another jewelry line on my table as well.  I've wanted to create a birth'stone' themed collection of jewelry for some time now, and there is no better time than the present!  With the possibilities of necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and even earrings with quality brass stampings/filigrees and Czech faceted glass beads in birthstone colors, I'm anticipating many offerings for individual birthstone pieces, and custom pieces for couples, moms, grandmas, aunts, and more!  I'm working on a few designs right now .... ideal for a special couple, or mom or grandma's special children, or ... ?  You decide and help me design your perfect gift or treasure!  More on this line will be coming soon.

Meanwhile, my thoughts are on beginning my BALC line, as the class starts next week!  I'm thrilled to be again working with some amazing jewelry artists, and very happy to not only meet some new friends but see some familiar 'faces' in my classmates this year.  Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B'Sue Boutiques heads our class, and she and even her son and sister-in-law (who both work for the business) are joining the class and creating jewelry lines.  I have a feeling this is going to be a fantastic (and fun!) learning experience this time around.  :)

Join Toby and I here on the blog and at our facebook page for all of the latest at Novegatti Designs!

~ Pamela & Toby