CURRENTS

The Fancier to Spy With

3 December 1992

ROSLYN BEILLY and David Schlansky find new lives for frail antique parasols and canes and dull letter openers. They discard the worn parts and turn interesting handles and cane heads into stems for magnifying glasses.

The couple's collection includes lenses with bone, bamboo, ivory, silver, walnut, cherry-wood, Bakelite or jewel-encrusted handles. One glass has a blue Limoges ball handle; another has a telescoping handle borrowed from an antique lorgnette. A vulture and a fox stand guard on two others.

"The wooden ones are really popular," said Ms. Beilly, an interior designer. One of her favorite glasses has a mother-of-pearl handle, from a parasol, with an intricate silver overlay.

Prices for most existing designs range from $150 to $300. Mr. Schlansky, a retired textile executive, also does custom work. He can be reached for appointments at (212) 246-0673.