This project started as an experiment. An experiment in transformation, reconstruction, and repurposing. To try to return paper to something like its original state.

It took us over a year of experimentation, research, and development to settle on this proprietary technique, shown in the video above.  Bad ideas, false starts, and near misses are all part of this process, but you eventually find that one thing that works. And that’s what this project represents: It’s the manifestation of an idea that was willed into existence. And it made for some pretty cool looking glasses too.

To make each pair of glasses, 1600 feet of newsprint is wound up into a 4-inch diameter “log” and these logs are then sawn into thin plies to reveal a unique, wood-like texture. The finished product is eyewear completely unique in appearance with dense lines, swirling grain, and just a hint of text.

See some detailed process images below and find out more about the collection here.

Newspaper plies freshly cut from the “log”.

Newspaper set in the self-aligning track.

A freshly rolled “log” drying.

Cutting the newsprint “log” in 1/8″ plies.

Frame fronts fresh from the CNC.

A pair of Canby Newspaper Selects being fitted with hinges.

The Shwood Eyewear Newspaper Collection comes in 3 iterations of our classic Canby shape.

The Canby Newspaper Select.

The Canby Newspaper & Walnut.

The Canby Acetate Newspaper.

The Canby Newspaper Select features temple inlays in addition to a full frame newspaper front.