creative career: optician

photos by Tracey Ayton

For Eyes

Originally published in Issue #17
text by Janine Vangool
photos by Tracey Ayton

Sara Moshurchak is the proud owner of Vancouver’s Granville Eyeland Framemakers, a business that she purchased from her mentor optician, Klaus Sebök, in 2008, after working alongside him for seven years. 

“I loved his eyewear store and saw that designing and creating custom and handmade eyewear was the way I could express my creativity as well. Here was an opportunity to work with absolutely unique eyewear that gives the wearer confidence and pride in their look.”

Known for avant garde designs, Granville Eyeland frames are coveted by famous spec-wearers such as Elton John, Alan Cumming and Steve Martin.

Extending beyond her commissioned pieces, Sara will be releasing her first collection of completely handmade eyewear this year. “Being an optician is the best way for me to work with my hands as I’ve always enjoyed drafting, sketching, painting and architecture,” says Sara. 

The starting point for a custom frame might be a modification of an existing design or it could be an entirely new commission inspired by a customer’s style preferences. After a reference portrait is made and detailed measurements recorded, Sara explores design details such as frame shape, colour, hinge style coupled with the technical requirements of prescription and lens thickness.

Sketches done by hand and physical mockups are all part of the process in creating a new design. Once the design is finalized, the sketch is transferred to the eyewear material, typically cellulose acetate; a plastic derived from natural cotton fibers. 

From a rough cut of the design, the time-consuming process of filing and sanding begins. The frames are assembled and fitted to the customer; once any adjustments are accomplished, lenses are installed and the custom frames are polished. The satisfied customer is owner of a unique, handcrafted work of functional art.

“It is my greatest pleasure to help my clients create their own statements with the frames that they wear.”

 (The print article includes a step-by-step photographic description of how Sara handcrafts her frames. Pick up a copy of issue #17 today!)