The Eyeglass Artist

Here is something extremely fun. I mean, from an entrepreneurial point of view. I was down at my fave eyeglass outfit — really, just dropped by to say hello to the gents, who are fairly charming — and found my attention diverted by the most amazing pair of shades…

I think they are gorgeous beyond belief and covet the things, but I say to the proprietor, Tommy, “Gosh, those are too, too cool…but how can you see out of them?”

He explains that he’s set the rhinestones that adorn the lenses so that they’re out of the field of vision. I try them on, and darned if he isn’t right: when the shades are hanging off your nose, you’re not even aware of the decoration.

As the conversation devolves, it develops that Tommy has diverted a considerable artistic talent into designing fancy glasses based on the type of lenses that are fastened to the temple pieces by little screws through the lens itself. This, alas and expensively, happens to be the style I favor. How do I want these glasses? Let me count the dollars…

So now Tommy produces a few more of his small masterpieces. Some of these could only be made as non-prescription sunglasses that you’d wear with contacts (if your vision needed correction). Some could be done with Rx glasses. All of them are more fun than life.

Now, imagine yourself with your guitar and a mike and an awesome voice and an awesome song and ten thousand berserk fans screaming in front of you, and you’re wearing these…

Tommy, ever modest, labels  this one “Image 4.” If I’d made it, I’d name it “Rock Star!” 🙂

What, rock is not your thing but “Ten Rounds of Jose Cuervo” is more your speed? How about a pair of cowboy boots to go with your stage presence?

Brreee-hah!

This design is a little more demure — appropriate for street wear, once you’re off the stage and strolling around Rodeo Drive:

You say you are a rock star and can afford a $600 pair of glasses for every holiday in the year? How’s about one for St. Patty’s day?

Are those fun, or not?

So I say to Tommy, “You need to take these things up to Vegas and sell them there. People would fall all over themselves to have them!”

Alas, Tommy is a family man, and he’s not about to leave his wife and kiddies here and take off for Sin City. So we await his discovery by a famous rock star’s famous agent. If you know the person, pass this along.

Central Eyeworks
Tommy Libert and Ray Gonzales
14 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona

(Totally NOT a paid post!)