Our Story
Why the name 3 Magpies?
The brand name holds several meanings. However, the primary reason is this…
Years ago, I moonlighted every three months (for a good decade) with a traveling jeweler at a popular gem and jewelry show. For 3 days, the “Mart” was full of enthusiastic buyers perusing booth after booth filled with gemstones, diamonds, precious metals and lusterous beads. Unique gifts from regions of the planet you normally wouldn’t have available to you would be in attendance, providing the beautiful, unique and biggest trends heading toward the middle of the country from the coasts. This was how small business owners refreshed their inventory and how the “seasoned” jewelry enthusiast made their purchases. Afterall, only a rookie buyer would go to a mainstream jewelry store and over pay by an easy 300% mark up for a ring many of the jewelers could produce for a fraction of the cost. If you know…you know.
Like the intelligent magpie, collecting such beautiful baubles was priority for the weekend buyers. It was during those busy weekends one could witness the pure nature of us humans. We LOVE to collect beautiful, shiny things. They don’t have to serve a purpose. Shiny, sparkely baubles to wear or hang in or around the home brings us, simple, humans joy. Gifting these luxurious, lusterous adornments was fulfilling for the buyers. Customers often revisted the booth I assisted to joyfully share their bounty, and sometimes, silently look for approval from a trusted person “in the business”. It was and is genuine feeling not to be under-estimated.
So, through my simple observations…we all have a little “magpie” in us.
And much like the magpie, our collections don’t always have to be shiny or have sparkle. They can be utility or even nostaglic and, either way, collecting or gifting brings us humans much joy.
Of course, producing and sharing brings me joy. This is the reason for the name 3 Magpies. The name serves as an umbrella…a brand. You will find I produce in MANY directions. Hopefully, my products or I, will interest you to follow my “Magpie” journey and to feel like you need to have something or many things among my collections.
Welcome!
I love this image. So, I replaced the face with my own
This website’s purpose is to allow more people to learn how I became who I am as a designer, a maker, a student, an instructor and a vintage/antique enthusiast. I plan to share a variety of interests (I have many) as well as current projects and a schedule of markets I attend.
A little bit more about Countess A… first, I do have a Countess Title. I am a Countess of Drachenstein. A title I purchased out of beautiful envy because my good friend had a Baroness Title (all purchased, all BS but fun). I am a Denver native. I come from a medium size family and second to last among the offspring. I was a decent student and more than decent with my ability to make shit. My artistic interests were nurtured by both of my parents who happen to be natural “tinkerers” and “makers” in their own right. My mother could sew beautiful doll clothes for the porcelain dolls she made in the 1980s. My father would have been a fine engineer had he furthered his education past high school. He enlisted in the Army instead and eventually became a locomotive engineer. As a child, my dad built my sister and I the loveliest playhouse in our backyard. Every year he planted and tended to a good size garden and maintained a kidney bean shaped pond he built with waterfall. My siblings also have the “creative gene” in some way or another. Engineering, Art, History, nature and design have always influenced the “vibe” that is Countess A. I began acquiring my silversmithing skills during my post-secondary courses in high school. I’ve explored a variety of other mediums including sketching, painting, tailoring, etc…but it is the gemstones that bellow the fire in my heart.
I am also a civil servant during the day. I have trained and mentored hundreds of young people over a career spanning 20+ years in Recreation Aquatics. I know, my tinkering doesn’t seem to match my niche aquatic industry…but it does. I’ve supported and help nurture young humans much like a sculptor manipulates their medium and in the end the work becomes a contribution to society. I’ve encouraged creative growth and problem solving. Prepared resumes, written letters and taught all ages to swim.The major difference between my civil work and my artistic work is one has subjective value and the other is invaluable. One affects few (currently) and the other affects thousands… hopefully, indefinitely. When this lifetime has completed, I hope much of what I have touched and made with my hands carries on in the most beautiful kinds of ways.