When I was in grad school at SDSU in the late 1980's, Professor Arline Fisch gave us grad students an assignment to research the topic of eyewear, and to make an art object dealing those results. A colleague made a spectacular pair of frames that went on to production fame and notoriety (Gail Spence's aluminum frames for ProDesign) and was totally inspiring. Gail taught me the value of historical research, and product design by sorting out what had been already invented, and building on that rather than reinventing the wheel. When I actually needed a pair of eyeglasses, I decided to make them myself. It didn't seem like rocket science when I started the project, but I was soon proven wrong. It was really challenging!! That challenge kept me obsessed for over 15 years, experimenting with materials and forms. I worked for the fashion industry for a while, making prototypes and designing  for Donna Karan, Anne Klein, and others. I also developed a workshop intended to teach jewelers how to design and make eyewear that I taught in over 50 venues including the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, the Penland School, Arrowmont, the Appalachian School for Crafts, the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, the California College of Art, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, the Mendocino Art Center, the Oregon College of Art and Craft, and many many others. Although I no longer teach eyewear design, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about it, especially if you are attempting your own. I remember how challenging it can be!