You are invited to the Face a Face Paris Trunk Show!
We are so excited to welcome back to the office our Face a Face company representative Dustin, who will bring with him all the latest styles from this outstanding eye glasses frame line! You are invited to make an appointment for an exclusive showing by emailing our office manager Calana at calana@binyonvision.com or stop in to browse between 10:00 – 4:00 pm. There will be snacks, trunk show specials and entry opportunities to our annual Customer Appreciation month raffle (info about last year’s raffle here)!
Also introducing – Nifties Eyewear!
In addition to presenting the Face a Face Paris collection, we are so excited to announce we will be launching a new line of petite eyewear at this event! Nifties specializes in high fashion frames in smaller sizes (eyesize 44-49). It’s a common observation from our more petite patients that they wish there were more options that fit them- and we’re excited to be able to provide a wonderful line that will fit this need!
Stop by April 12th and bring a friend! It’s a great time to find your next pair of glasses!
Each of these Feb31st frames were custom designed by their wearer! We’re extending that opportunity to you for the month of February with a 31% discount! (See what we did there?). There’s never been a better time to design a frame unique to you- a true reflection of your style and personality! Stop in or give us a call to schedule time with an optician to talk about your custom Feb31st!
See more information about the Feb31st eye glasses frame line in our recent blog post here and on their website here!
I’ll never forget when one of our opticians at the time, Christie, returned from a Vision Expo conference in 2013 and said- “You won’t believe these wood glasses. There’s an Italian company that figured out how to put prescription lenses in wood glasses and they custom make every frame with wood layers and you pick the colors. We could be one of the first in the United States to carry this line.”
Looking down on the layers of wood that will be manufactured into glasses fronts – from feb31st.it
Ten years later… a rough count of shops on the www.feb31st.it website shows over 130 stores in the United States and a few hundred Binyon patients have worn or do wear Feb31st frames.
John designed these color-blocked green and black and white patterened wood frames himself.
Bespoke Eyewear – manufactured to order!
In addition to a cool concept – a design that allows for manufacturing a one-off custom pair of prescription wood glasses, this company is always innovating. They’ve created a more robust product over the years by changing hinge designs and reinforcing the layers of wood. Many new wood finishes and material combinations have also been introduced into the product line, allowing for infinite customization possibilities. One of the most unique and rewarding features is the custom engraving possibilities on the temples of the frames. Dates, initials, symbols are all examples of amazing designs we’ve seen created on the wood glasses.
Another custom design- note the patient provided a drawing for the custom engraving inside the temple.
Wood chip color swatches
Sustainable manufacturing from tree to glasses
In addition to the uniqueness of design and manufacturing, we want to highlight another vital part of this company – it’s dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. All wood is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified for being sustainably forested. Every frame produced is made to order therefore eliminating waste in stocked inventory. There is also an opportunity to use a wood from fallen trees, mostly from unusual hurricane force winds that hit the Northern Italian Alps in October 2018. If there is an opportunity to improve sustainability or manufacture in a more eco-friendly way, this company will act.
Trees fallen during the October 2018 storm in Northern Italy – from www.feb31st.it
Frames manufactured from the wood of the fallen trees from the storm – from www.feb31st.it
Feb31st at Binyon Vision Center today
Over the years, the Binyon team has loved designing Feb31st frames for our inventory and has held design appointments on special days with our patients interested in designing their own pair. With a variety of shapes, so many colors and size possibilities the customization options are endless. In addition, some of the frame models in the EVO line incorporate metal, which comes in many colors for a unique spin on the wood glasses- plus the engraving option mentioned above. This design your own eyewear option that this unique made to order company provides through it’s wood glasses is amazing. Another important benefit of Feb31st eyewear is they are very light and comfortable to wear. For some of us four-eyes, these are our most comfortable pair of glasses. We had a patient who was very sensitive to metals and plastics and found these to be the only glasses she could wear! Here are a few of our other favorite Feb31st designs. We hope to see you in the office soon to design your own!
Please note – our next opportunity to design a pair of Feb31st glasses is October 19th, 2023 – email calana@binyonvision.com to schedule an appointment!
Heather, David and Jordan never have funon the optician training journey
Becoming an optician is a combination of on the job training and study. Our new opticians learn about visual disorders, the physics of lenses and the variety of progressive lens designs from texts and webinars at the same time as they work with patients and apply this knowledge. The combined approach is really important and results in a lot of “a-ha!” moments. The opticians in training listen to a patient’s past experience and might be able to solve problems because of a webinar on freeform progressive lenses. It is great to watch this new crew learn on the way to becoming highly trained professional opticians!
Jordan measures the optical center height for a single-vision patient.
Jordan and David discuss lens options with a patientHeather listens to a patient’s thoughts on frame options
We are thankful for many wonderful resources the opticians in training are using including:
ECP Advantage from Walman Optical – on demand and live webinars from the optician training department at Walman Optical.
Optician Works – training videos from Laramy K Optical Lab.
Our product partners including Lauren from Shamir, Addie from l.a. Eyeworks and Feb31st eyewear, Ciara from Lafont, and many more!
The part-time veteran opticians who provide in person training a few times each week – Jill and Margaret!
With strong attention to detail, a desire to learn, and a natural focus on problem-solving customer service – our three new opticians are in just a few months becoming amazing opticians. Becoming a licensed optician is a three year process. The requirements include 6,000 hours of job hours and passing two board certification tests, ABO and NCLE*. We’re excited to support the opticians in training in this goal as they help patients achieve the best vision in their glasses on the way!
*American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examination
The team at Binyon Vision Center LOVES bringing unique, fun, independent eyewear to our patients. We are so excited to introduce l.a. Eyeworks to our community!
In 1979, two women opened a storefront on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles with the goal to change the way people looked at eyewear. Over forty years and hundreds of imaginative designs later, l.a. Eyeworks is an internationally recognized brand, known for quality and originality. The original owners Barbara McReynolds & Gai Gherardi still begin each design with a pencil sketch and are heavily involved in every aspect of the design from concept to materials, manufacturing to marketing.
In 1981, the brand launched an ad campaign with over 200 celebrities and “cultural provocateurs” modeling the frames in stunning black and white images with the tagline – “A face is a work of art. It deserves a great frame.”
We could not agree more! We look forward to seeing these great frames on many works of art around Bellingham!
“I’ve always thought that if you have to wear glasses you should go big and choose beautiful, fun, or funky ones. You can’t hide them so why not show them off,”
Meet Michelle!
She has been a fellow four-eyed friend since
the seventh grade. Her mom always made sure that she had cool glasses, so she’s
been keen on stylish specs since she was a kiddo.
“I’ve always thought that if you have to wear
glasses you should go big and choose beautiful, fun, or funky ones. You can’t
hide them so why not show them off,” she remarks.
This sentiment is reflected in Michelle’s
frames of choice at Binyon. Sporting the ever-present and spunky Anne at
Valentin or her favorite cat eye Lafont frames, Michelle can be spotted
receiving compliments all around town. With a prescription as strong as hers,
Michelle delights in the opportunity to wear contacts as well as the prospect
of corrective surgery. However, she revels in what her frames can offer her,
too. As an introvert, she has been given many opportunities to meet people she
otherwise would not have.
“I get compliments about my glasses all the
time from all different kinds of people. I’m introverted so don’t often go out
of my way to make connections with strangers. The compliments are a sweet way
to connect with a person I may not have chatted with otherwise. The compliments
also make me feel like I’ve made the right choice in the frames I’ve chosen.
Sometimes I second guess myself and then the first time someone tells me they
like my glasses I know the choice was a good one.”
Michelle is a loyal Binyonite, and we
couldn’t be happier to continue working with her. Describing her relationship
with her glasses in five words or less, Michelle states, “they make me look
good!”
Thank you for choosing us, Michelle, and you look fantastic!
Lloyd came to our office soon after he moved to Bellingham in 2011. When we took pictures in Whatcom Falls Park this summer with Katheryn Moran photography, he laughed “It feels like you guys have watched me grow up. The first time I came I was a kid with no idea what I wanted to do with my life!” Now a nursing assistant at the Hospice House planning on nursing school soon after a few more prerequisites, watching Lloyd grow up has been awesome. One thing is consistent in the last 7 years is that he pretty much lives on his mountain bike.
In 2015 when Lloyd sat down with Sarah she reviewed some notes on his past glasses including several warranty replacements. “I’m pretty hard on stuff” Lloyd admitted. Sarah directed him to our Ovvo Optics display, “I think we’re going to find the perfect frame for you here.” As we described in our last post here, Ovvo has developed a proprietary material and hinge design with unmatched strength and flexibility. We have not seen a more durable frame design. Lloyd picked out his first Ovvo frame and everything was going well. Until one day he watched the glasses fly off his girlfriend’s car and get run over. We replaced the frame and lens under warranty.
“When I would break my frames or mess up my lenses I knew I didn’t have to flip out because I had a kick butt warranty. It seems small but for someone who is rough on his toys it meant a lot to know it was one less thing to worry about.” Lloyd told me.
“Breaking stuff is kind of a theme in my life,” he explains. During our photo shoot, Lloyd’s favorite bike was broken so he rode a bike he rebuilt for his dad. Thankfully Lloyd is a skilled mechanic and resourceful! His basement is fully outfitted to tear down and rebuilt bikes from components he finds all over Washington.
As far as resourceful, he’s made a great choice sticking with the most durable frames on earth with Ovvo Optics and an optical family who will take care of him.
“There was a period of time after I moved to Bellingham that I saw you guys more than my family. They’re far away and also I kept finding new and exciting ways to break my glasses… The Binyon staff obviously loves what they do and I always feel that love when I come in.”
Thank you Lloyd! We appreciate you and it was great to do this blog post and photoshoot with you and Katheryn Moran Photography.
“Just wanted to let you know how great my Ovvo glasses are…”
… began an email from Emily. “Several months ago, my toddler snatched them off my face and bent them in HALF. Besides a small crease, the frames were unharmed and I’m wearing them daily. But we had a long talk about how fragile (most) glasses are.”
Emily was referencing her 2nd out of 3 pairs of Ovvo Optics glasses frames. She found her first pair in 2015, soon after her precious son Raylan was born. Little did she know as a new mom she was making a wise investment in the most durable glasses frames.
Ovvo Optics Glasses Design and Technology
What drew Emily to the Ovvo frames was how light and comfortable they are – plus fun shapes and colors. These are two of Ovvo’s design goals for their frame line – the third was durability. In seeking a material that was very lightweight and strong, the company could not find one that met their needs- so they forged their own metal, a combination of surgical stainless steel and titanium that had not been made before and is now manufactured with a patented process by Ovvo (more technical details here: https://ovvooptics.com/technology/).
This hypoallergenic material offers remarkable lightness, flex memory and strength. From an optician’s standpoint the strong material is tough to move during an adjustment but we have confidence when we get it into position- it will stay there- preventing the relaxing that can happen with plastic frames. I like to joke it’s the only pair of glasses I can fall asleep in and they aren’t at all crooked in the morning.
Emily’s hooked on Ovvo glasses
Back to Emily – she’s on her 3rd pair of Ovvo frames now as Raylan just passed his 3rd birthday. Coincidence? Probably not… toddler proof? Definitely, as her story above shows.
When we sat down to pick her second pair in December of 2017- she said, definitely Ovvo. We found one of the great pairs from the latest collection that incorporates a cut-out design, one of the latest eyewear trends. She loved them, and when I pulled out the catalog to see the other colors, she fell deeper in love with the Sapphire color. We ordered it in but started the lenses using the stock frame. When the lenses came back she could choose between the two colors. I love giving patients this option – they have two choices of frame color to pick from when they come to pick up their lenses and we can pop the completed lenses
into the favorites and they are on their way- looking amazing of course.
Don’t forget sunglasses!
Since I had the catalog out as we were looking at alternate colors- Emily started to look at their amazing sunglasses options. I noticed she has an awesome insurance plan through the local credit union she works for and her insurance would be available again in January – mere weeks away. She got a little giddy at the idea of having prescription Ovvo sunglasses. I’d remembered seeing an awesome design at an Ovvo trunk show we had done and showed her the catalog. “That’s the one!” she cried and we ordered it in in Shiny red! When she came to pick up her new glasses and choose the color, the sunglasses had arrived! We were able to make the frame measurements, wait until the calendar flipped to 2018 and order these beautiful sunglasses.
Emily, Raylan and I had a marvelous photoshoot with the talented Katheryn Moran of Katheryn Moran Photography to highlight these wonderful frames. It was fun to watch Mommy and son share such natural tender moments. We are glad to see that these frames have become a beautiful part of her look and an indispensable tool in her mommy bag. With all the things the Mama’s have to worry about- broken glasses can be crossed off the list with Ovvo eyewear.
Please join us for a special opportunity to see the entire Lafont Paris line of frames at our Lafont Trunk Show. There will be every frame, every color, and over 500 additional frames in the store!
In addition to frames, we will have great refreshments, a photobooth, and raffle prizes from some of our favorite downtown shops.
When? Tuesday June 5th – 10am – 4pm
Where? Binyon Vision Center 411 E. Magnolia Street
Why? Because we love Lafont and you will too!
No RSVP necessary – please come by! We look forward to seeing you!
See the Facebook event here and say you’re going or interested to get a notification reminder on the day of the event!
… and in Andy’s case, it’s two pairs of glasses. As systems administrator at a local credit union, Andy spends between 10-14 hours per day in front of a computer screen.
All Photos: Katheryn Moran Photography
Andy has worn prescription computer glasses for several years. Before the specialized glasses, his eyes were always tired and he fought daily headaches. In contrast, Dr. McEathron’s computer prescription brings the screen into focus for Andy and relieves his eye strain.
Digital Eye Strain
The Vision Council (www.visioncouncil.org) defines digital eye strain as physical discomfort that can occur after 2 hours of computer or other digital device use. Types of physical discomfort include eye fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision and neck and back pain. So, why does digital eye strain occur? When you work at a computer, your eyes are having to focus and refocus as you read, look at your keyboard, look around the room and back to the screen. In addition, the screen adds constant glare, contrast and flicker – plus it emits high energy blue light. Blue light gives screens their brightness. Likewise, that bright, high energy light that can overload the visual system and add to the eye strain.
Shamir Blue Zero
Andy’s most recent lenses, computer glasses, use a new material called Shamir Blue Zero. This material absorbs blue light, but appears clear unlike many blue-light blocking products that have a yellowish tint. Finally, it combines excellent blue light protection with optical clarity- something that’s not available with any other similar product available on the market. Blue Zero is available in single vision, office progressive and general progressive lenses manufactured by Shamir USA. Contact us if you have questions on availability of this material.
Furthermore, when he’s not on the computer, Andy wears a different pair of glasses. These are his distance prescription so they work well for driving, watching movies and hiking with his wife and dogs. He finds himself putting them on as soon as he goes away from the computer because he likes seeing the world around him more clearly.
Andy is wearing the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi.
Thank you to Andy for participating in this photoshoot and your feedback on your computer glasses.
Grattitude to Camber Coffee for allowing us to use your beautiful location.
Much appreciation to the very talented Katheryn Moran of Katheryn Moran Photography.
BINYON VISION CENTER
411 E. Magnolia Street, Bellingham WA 98225
(360) 647-2020
All Photos: Katheryn Moran Photography
Andy is wearing the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi.
