About Artisan Eyewear
Artisan Eyewear is your go-to optical boutique for all things colorful, funky, and beautiful. We carry brands not found elsewhere in the region like Swissflex, Theo, NAONED and Nina Mûr. We have a large selection of narrow and petite adult fits; we do not carry children’s frames.
In addition to our exciting product selection, you will receive concierge service from Natalie, a licensed optician with 15+ years of experience. Most orders are completed in 2 weeks.
Natalie is an OPTICIAN = not-a-doctor! Please bring a valid prescription.
Hello!
My name is Natalie, I own and operate Artisan Eyewear. For many, finding the ‘right’ optician is as important as finding the right frames; I’m happy to share a little about myself ahead of your visit.
Education and Training
2008 was the beginning of my career in optometry, first as an optometric technician, then in management and finally opticianry. I was a certified paraoptometric technician with the American Optometric Association. This training provided a deeper understanding of ocular disease and anatomy. My optical certifications are ABO and NCLE designations with the American Board of Opticianry. I attended the Community College of Rhode Island for an Associates in Applied Sciences for Opticianry, as well as the University of Rhode Island for a Bachelors in Biological Sciences. I hold opticianry licenses in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Professional Endeavors
From 2014 to 2021, I penned a column in an industry magazine. My fictional pieces were a reverse-Dear Abby format, and opticians across North America would write in responses. In addition, I provided a number of technical works to various industry magazines on subjects like Medicare audits and ransomware response strategy. I’ve had the honor of presenting as a continuing education lecturer at regional events, and was the host of a panel at the international Vision Expo, held in NYC.
Personal
I was raised in Derry, NH, and for much of my adult life I’ve lived in Providence and Boston. My girlfriend and I live in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
In my personal life I think a lot about what it means to live the life of an artist, and I enjoy talking to my clients about their artistic endeavors. I am an oil painter (portraits) and enjoy a variety of other crafts like sewing and weaving.
The Future
Care & Repairs
Hinges are the most frequently broken part of a frame; taking your glasses on and off with two hands will help your glasses keep their proper alignment. Keep your frame out of the sun/heat in the car to maintain proper shape. Replace nose pads when they change color. Keep lenses away from aerosols like hairspray, and avoid heat (bonfire, wood stove, even the burst from a hot oven).
Heat can crack (or “craze”) the surface of your lenses if you have an anti-reflective treatment. We use high heat to apply these coatings, so it only makes sense heat would reverse the process. In the right light crazing looks like stress lines and typically happens to the whole lens.
Why Are My Lenses Scratched?
Common culprits are storing your glasses outside of a case (loose in a purse or pocket); falling to the floor off the nightstand or out of the bed; storing them on an eyeglass retainer that has beads or other hard parts (and rubbing them against the lens); storing in a thin, soft case in a purse or other tight space; or putting them down on a table lens-first. The most common, though, is months upon months of cleaning your lenses dry with a dirty microfiber cloth / paper towel / Kleenex / clothing!
How Should I Clean My Lenses?
There are two good ways to clean your lenses. (1) Warm water and a drop of Dawn detergent in the sink is great for a ‘deep clean’ periodically; dry with a microfiber cloth. (2) Lens cleaner (confirm with your optician if you need to be using alcohol-free spray or if a normal spray is acceptable, some frames don’t like alcohol) sprayed on both sides and then wiped away with a clean microfiber cloth. If you have a lot of dust, dirt or particles on your lens, consider doing a quick rinse under a faucet first.
Dry-wiping grinds in particles and over time that can cloud your lens. Wiping with a dirty microfiber cloth can also cause microscratches. A few times here and there are fine, but again you are cleaning these perhaps 500-1,000 times and the accumulation of microscratches will make lenses look cloudy.
How to Extend the Life of my Frame?
Remove your glasses with two hands so as not to put extra pressure on hinges. Don’t store your glasses on top of your head, as this stretches out your adjustment. As much as possible, resist the urge to move and adjust your nosepads yourself and ask an optician to help instead. Keep your glasses in a case when they aren’t on your face, or use a product like a Sacco pouch (for sale at Artisan Eyewear). Never leave your eyewear in a hot car. Those who wear their glasses consistently all day have less wear and tear than folks who take their eyewear off frequently!
What To Do When Your Glasses Break
Unless your lenses are made of actual glass (and they probably aren't), no (and sorry, using toothpaste is a myth)
Your lens coatings can peel after being exposed to aerosols, solvents or heat. If you work around these things, skip A/R.
In addition to your eyeglasses case, consider purchasing a Sacco pouch or OYOBox, both available from Artisan Eyewear
Lenses
Frames are fun to shop for, but lens selection and design is where your optician gets to shine. Most people don’t research lenses in advance (so no pressure to dive deep, here!), but if you’ve got a curious mind, here are some standout products to learn more about. When you come to Artisan Eyewear, optician Natalie will listen to your visual needs including occupation and hobbies to design the right lens for you.
Progressives
Did you know there are over 200 progressive lenses on the market today? Many consumers believe there is only one “kind” of progressive, and if you didn’t succeed in adapting to one, it means you “can’t wear progressives.” Not true!
The selection and design of lenses, whether single-vision, bifocal, progressive or specialty, is one way an independent optician can add value and quality to your life.
Did you also know that vision benefit companies (like EyeMed and VSP) limit your selection of lenses? They can dictate which laboratories are allowed to manufacture your lenses – all methods of controlling costs. An independent optician is able to fit you with EXACTLY the lenses you need, while passing savings directly to you. After all, neither one of us really wants to pay an insurance company, amirite?
One of the most common questions opticians hear is, “Why are glasses so expensive?” – An independent lab made a 20-minute video showing all the equipment and steps required to make progressive lenses. It’s certainly worth a watch! To compare to decades ago when opticians worked in glass, here is a peppy four-minute 1965 video I absolutely love watching.
Computer Lenses
Upgrade your reading glasses. Clear vision for multiple monitors, paperwork and long stretches at your desk.
Sun Clips
Everyone needs protection from the sun. If you want to save some money, use a clip instead of a separate pair of polarized sunglasses. We carry both Chemistrie magnetized clips and eClips if you prefer that look!
Drivewear
Do you drive for a living? Take a look at this product from Transitions. The lens collor and the level of darkness adapt to light conditions while driving.
Photochromatic Treatments
A fancy word for ‘gets dark when exposed to UV light’! We have a selection of several brands of photochromatic lenses, including Transitions®.
Dry Eye Goggles
Moisture chamber shields in 6 frame styles, for severe evaporative dry eye, Sjögren’s syndrome, and more
Policies
What is your return policy? Satisfaction is guaranteed; we will work with your doctor until you are happy. Alternatively, store credit is given; we have a no-return policy due to the custom nature of eye wear.
Can you adjust/fix glasses I didn’t buy from you? We don’t adjust frames purchased off the internet. If they were purchased from another optical, We’re happy to adjust at no cost; however, keep in mind only the shop you purchased from has access to your frame’s warranty. There’s always a small risk of damage or breakage when manipulating frames. We offer frame repair options on frames purchased here at Artisan Eyewear.
Can you make lenses for a frame I purchased elsewhere? Yes. However, we always recommend thinking through the worst-case scenario: what if, when your new lenses are being inserted, the frame breaks? We would have no access to a warranty or replacement frame for something we didn’t originally sell to you. It’s always smart to see if that exact frame is still available for purchase, even if that means searching eBay.
Your spectacles are custom made just for you; payment in full is required before production can begin. Artisan Eyewear accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Health Savings Accounts / Flexible Savings Accounts are accepted; I will provide you with an itemized receipt to submit to your plan.
Multiple-pair lens discounts are available within a sixty day window.
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Insurance
Artisan Eyewear is not in-network with any insurance or vision plans; since this is often surprising to shoppers we want to provide an explanation.
Insurance implies financial protection in the event of illness. There is no such thing as a true, separate insurance for vision. Medical insurance covers the eyes, and that includes exams for eye injury, infection and ocular disease diagnosis/management. The same insurance may also include a comprehensive eye exam every 1 or 2 years.
If you also have a vision discount plan, like VSP or EyeMed, you (or your employer) fund this plan each pay period. These plans negotiate a lower rate of reimbursement with optometrists and opticians in exchange for mention in a directory. Patients pay for a discount, and providers don‘t have to work quite so hard at advertising.
Artisan Eyewear doesn’t participate for several reasons:
-Most of these plans restrict the products available to you, the patient. We want freedom to use exactly what you need.
-Some plans, in an effort to control costs, require use of their own lab for lens fabrication. We find these labs often create lenses of substandard quality, and add 1-2 weeks to turnaround time.
-These vision plans also own frame / lens companies. For example, Luxottica owns EyeMed, and VSP owns Marchon. Being an independent optician means not financially supporting vertical integration.
-Finally, their billing and reimbursement systems create chaos. You’ll see bigger savings with our prices as a result of avoiding these plans.
We are happy to assist you in submitting out-of-network paperwork so you receive a reimbursement check directly. We are not able to quote or otherwise guarantee reimbursement amounts.