Our Vision
With today's growing ecological awareness and the current economic state, resale shopping has increased all across the country. In fact, shopping resale is now considered to be eco-chic. The Wabi Sabi Shop has a vision of redefining the word "Resale" by putting more emphasis on "Re" and less on "Sale".
- Reuse - make a conscious choice to use or buy a pre-owned product.
- Reduce - eliminate clutter, pare down one's belongings and eliminate excess.
- Recycle - share one's goods with others by donating, selling or consigning - not just trashing!
- Revive - clean it, strip or restore the finish; redress it in new colors, finish, hardware; bring it back to life.
- Redecorate - recreate and transform your existing space to suit your actual needs, purposes or lifestyle, as it changes.
The Wabi Sabi Shop is a proud member of the following professional organizations:
The National Association for Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS)- The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
Our Founder
Our founder, Kay Frandsen, is the creative force behind the Wabi Sabi Shop. Beginning with her childhood years as a 4-H member and continuing throughout her career in design, Kay has always found joy in making home not only a beautiful, comfortable refuge, but an outward expression of one's personality. Her home is filled with furnishings that once belonged to her parents and grandparents as well as items she's built, bought or found at garage sales. From this delight in pre-owned belongings and a love for both meaningful and beautiful things, Kay has conceived and designed the Wabi Sabi Shop.
Kay was raised on a farm in central Iowa, the daughter of Jack and Dorothy Frandsen. Beauty in the home was something she learned as a child growing up in an 1890 Victorian farm home. Jack's resourceful abilities allowed him to not only manage a large grain and cattle-feeding set-up, but also remodel every room of their house, while Dorothy's creative talents enabled the family to express their individuality throughout the decoration of each room. Learning from her parents, Kay chose to major in both Interior Design and Craft design at Iowa State University, graduating in 1979.
Kay's diverse talents and 30-year career in the design and construction industry provide the basis for the shop's distinct offerings and unique niche. The inventory, made available through consignment, is carefully selected for quality and style, reflecting her imaginative and subtle artisan preferences. The workshops and design services offered also reflect Kay's practical, but philosophical nature. She has a passion for seeing the value in objects both artistic and functional and has a desire to make beauty in the home affordable for everyone.
Our Staff
Kay Frandsen
Kay Frandsen has lived in Plymouth since 1984 - she loves to laugh, likes to cook and garden, and takes Lily with her everywhere. She's as comfortable using a sewing machine or 4-harness loom as she is with a chain saw or turning lathe. Personal design style: casual elegance with hints of whimsy and nostalgia. Her favorite saying - "Where there's a will, there's a way."
Erik Olson
Erik Olson and his wife, Barbara, have lived in the Twin Cities since 1981. A recent empty-nester and former long-time creative advertising guy, Erik now loves to make art out of trash. For some reason he thinks it is better to want what you have rather than to have what you want. A wise friend of his told him life was a lot easier that way. Style-wise, he is a mid-century modern junkie.
Faye Watson
Faye Watson is originally from Minneapolis, but for 20 years lived in 5 other states before returning home. She has extensive experience in Customer Service. Her Personal Design Style would lean towards the eclectic. Her favorite saying: "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History".
Colleen Beggan
Colleen Beggan and her husband moved to Plymouth from Canada in 2003. Colleen has a love for the outdoors, working with children with special needs and is a bighearted volunteer. Her real passion is in her Reiki practice and she continues to study and practice Watsu (water therapy) and Reflexology.
Elise Kingman
Elise Kingman has lived in Wayzata most of her life - with the exception of an 8-year hiatus in Seattle with her husband, Woody & their 3 children. Elise loves the outdoors and can either be found in her garden or hitting the pavement for long runs with friends. She enjoys travelling . . . especially when it’s a quick get-away for some warmth during our long Minnesota winters.
Lily
Lily is a Wheaten Terrier and loves chasing critters in the back yard, sleeping on her back and riding in the car. She recently stayed at Camp BowWow while Kay attended the NARTS conference. When Kay returned, Lily made it clear she would've preferred staying at the Hyatt to camping. Her favorite saying: "Want to go for a ride?"
