Meet Taylor and Johnny | Third Eye Co. and Magic Miners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor and Johnny and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor and Johnny, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Both of us are artists, and Johnny was a professional snowboarder at the time. We wanted to fund a snowboard trip by making leather neck pouches that could hold your phone while on the mountain and other accessories like earrings. Everything was priced around $15 and it was a total success. When we returned from our trip, a local shop owner saw one of our pieces and asked us to make more. He was beyond encouraging and it was like a mini crash course on wholesale, retail and consignment. Our sales there would pay a bill or two each month, which was nice because the whole creation process was already a way of calming down at the end of the day, or finding relief from stress. After a big move to be back closer to family, we started hiking a lot more. One thing lead to another and after a few outings trying to find it’s location, we found quartz crystals. Back in the studio we would experiment with how we could utilize them in design . Which quickly evolved from quartz necklaces set in found bullet shells, to our copper jewelry. We became so infatuated with the idea of using these gems to make pieces with more substance, and maybe grow our little side hustle into something with more intention and direction. The thought process was always a gradual journey, a way of tapping into and being able to use our creativity and actually make money doing something we love, that has meaning and a story . What came from it is an openness to the fact that there will always be more to learn, and improve upon in business, design and of course ourselves

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We are Third Eye Co. and Magic Miners. We locally mine the crystals in our jewelry, design print and make everything from our studio in Big Bear Lake, California. Magic Miners is a sort-of behind the scenes glimpse into the digging and geology part of our work. And you can watch our best finds on YouTube.com/magicminers. We are self taught, and have always been creativly driven. Our raw copper jewelry is what we’re most known for, but have evolved into working more with gold and silver, with a mix of raw or faceted stones, and creating more engagment/wedding jewelry.
We like to present our whole process, because it tells a story. From digging the gems to creation in the studio, each and every piece has a story to tell. We research geological maps and history then hike far and wide to locate places to dig the gems. It’s important to know where your product comes from, and that it’s not through exploited means. We dig with hand tools and enjoy our work with respect to the land, and laws, keep the areas we visit clean and the restoration of land after.
This path has not been easy. We have most definitely fluctuated with the economy, have suffered with losing wholesale accounts and halted sales during Covid. We’re familiar with having to get side gigs when times get tough. And that can definitely feel like failure… In hindsight, those experiences in that down time, where skills we pick up or refine, have only added to our growth in business and it shows us where we need to make changes.
It’s in our nature to be honest and move with integrity, and for the most part have received that in return. Everything else is just a lesson.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ah, many of the places we visit are secret. So probably keep it vague here. After making sure said friend was up for adventure, we would pack the tents and camper to head far out to the desert. Often our dig sites have the most epic views and a way of resetting. Though the geology part of our work can be rough, it’s where we tap into our inner child and it really is the best time… just digging rocks and getting dirty.

Day 1: drive out and set up camp ( borderline glamping, only a little rough but definitely cozy ) . Soak in the sunset and scenery next to a fire and cook a simple campfire dinner. Camping food can be overly simple or more refined. We tend to go off the energy levels left after a day of adventure so it could be a simple soup, or a big steak dinner. It’s always a mood setter to cook over the fire though.
Day 2-4 hike, and explore the secluded location for signs of Quartz to dig. We usually hit a pocket and get to carry some treasure back to camp. Hitting the bed every night after star gazing and story telling. Free of cell reception really adds to the whole experience.
Day 5-7: pack up camp and found treasure to head to a super secret hot spring down a very long dirt road, further from civilization and a truly magical place to recover from the hiking, prospecting and digging. This is where true relaxation happens, blue hot spring water, more beautiful views, a surreal experience. Eat whatever food is left, completely reset before returning back to cell reception, responsibilities and traffic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course we wouldn’t be here without the help of our family and friends who have not only been supportive by buying gifts or pieces for themselves, sharing on social media, and giving us words of encouragement or advice… All of the above and more. It’s rough as an artist and to try to branch out in a world of oversaturation is tough as it is, without the love and support we’ve gotten, it wouldn’t be the same or might not exist at all. As mentioned before, the first shop owner Corey Folster who encouraged us and had patience as we learned through selling at his shop, and still work with him today! He owns Unhinged in Salt Lake City; a boutique where he has his own line as well as local artists from the city.
When we moved back closer to our home town, we got into a really cool boutique called OKooRan in Big Bear Lake. It’s been there for almost 40 years and the owner is an artist herself. We have been carried there almost as long as Unhinged and have had the most amazing connection personally but also have grown through working with them all these years.
About 5 years into our journey, we were approached to do a collaboration project with our friends at Dinosaurs Will Die snowboards and another with our friends at Stinky Socks. We will periodically release designs on hoodies and t-shirts as another facet to our branding. A collaboration snowboard and sock was unreal. These were people we already looked up to and admired and we were connected through snowboarding . We will forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with them.
Also, a shout out to Snoop Dogg, who once wore our classic beanie for about 3 weeks ( via instagram ). Probably one of the most surreal experiences and unreal exposure! Solidified the beanie design in our collection.

Website: Livefreeseetruth.com

Instagram: @Thirdeyecompany

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thirdeyecompany

Youtube: YouTube.com/magicminers