Our Company
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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”.
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 enjoys public speaking . She enjoys every aspect of running the Wabi Sabi Shop – from meeting with new consignors to teaching new employees the ins and outs. 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. 
Tricia Patterson Tricia Patterson joined our wabi sabi family in 2017 as our bookkeeper. She’s a hard working mother of 4 boys – all still in elementary school as of now. She’s a fun-loving hockey mom (having all 4 boys involved). She also works (or might I say “has fun”) selling pull-tabs on weekend nights at a local venue. 
Penny Amrani A cheesehead from Wisconsin—Penny has always been a loyal Green Bay Packer backer (loves the Timber Wolves and Twins – a total sports enthusiast for sure). After moving here in ’73 she followed her passion and joined the furniture and design community (retired from Baker showroom at IMS after 26yrs). Two miracles in her life have defined who she is today: having her daughter, Kristina, at age 44 and surviving 4th stage cancer two years later. Penny views every day as another reason to celebrate. 
Vicki Hertz After a 20+ year career in the home remodeling industry, Vicki and her husband relocated and downsized from their home in Minnetonka to a new, much smaller home in Wright county. Now that she’s near her 2 daughters she can enjoy caring for her grand babies. And when she isn’t chasing after the little ones, she enjoys painting, gardening and refurbishing furniture. She is currently learning how to quilt. Say “Hi” to Vicki if you come in on a Saturday! 
Ruth Sager Ruth lives in the west metro area with her husband of 15 years. With a background in interior design, and experience in architectural drafting, it’s easy to see why visual merchandising would be right up her alley. The Shop is definitely benefiting from the fruits of her labor and Erik is happy she’s joined his staging crew! Faith takes a front seat in her life, followed by creative interests, and exploring the small towns of Minnesota. 
Jan Rice If Jan looks familiar, perhaps you know her from her many years of owning Beanhaven Cafe, (a local Deephaven favorite) with her husband, Jim. She joined the Wabi Sabi team in 2018 and loves working with an ever-changing array of home furnishings & décor and using her design degree to help customers make good design decisions. An avid reader, Jan also enjoys container gardening and snuggling with her adventurous Terrier mix she calls “Wilson”. 
Ruth Carrier Ru and hubby reside in a 1930’s carriage house on Wayzata Bay with 2 sweet Havanese pups. Ru strives to live the “Wabi Sabi” way – simply, “in the moment”, while creating beautiful surroundings from a combination of treasures found and those that are comfortable. Ru loves to create: a painting, something knitted or garden grown, and anything new from something old. Her favorite quote is from Emile Zola, “If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you. I came to live out loud.” 
Marlene Mahaffey Marlene lives in a comfortable condo overlooking Bassett Creek with a playful little cat. Her screened-in deck is a perfect spot for enjoying morning coffee while the cat watches the birds. The Wabi Sabi spirit comes to life when re-purposing objects and doing home improvement projects. Always an avid reader of mystery novels, summers include going to the local farmers market, walking a favorite park or swimming in a local pool. Any free time spent with her adult children and grandchildren is a definite plus! 
Laura Goodall Laura has lots of experience in the consignment business, having owned her own women’s consignment shop in Deephaven for many years. Because of that, Kay asked her to join the team in 2018. With her background in information technology, consignment sales, and merchandising, she’s a real gem to have here! Laura also enjoys history, music, books, and gardening. She’s also a busy mom to an active daughter and lives in St. Louis Park with her family 
Julie Keller Julie has loved the Wabi Sabi Shop ever since she entered as a customer several years ago. After that first visit, she enjoyed coming in regularly, both to see the beautiful items and also to say hello to our very friendly staff. She is now happily employed at the shop and is loving every minute of it! When not working at the Shop, she is running a nonprofit organization called The Mama Ada Foundation, as well as raising two sons and spending time with her husband. 
Shirley Sword Shirley, moved home from CA to Minnesota and fills her days with activities where her “grand” nieces and nephews are involved. Shirley is a true “shopaholic” who loves to decorate her home. When not shopping with her sister, she is making sure her dogs, Golden Doodle, Izzy and Havanese, Charles Barkley, are safe, sound, happy and healthy. Shirley spends many hours in her large yard keeping hundreds of beautiful plants flourishing. She loves to entertain, be with old and new friends, watch pro football, read and dance (when no one is watching!) 
Zsa Zsa Meet Zsa Zsa! She’s a purebred Hungarian Pumi born in September 2018. Pumis were recently accepted into the American Kennel Club in the “Herding” category. She’s a happy little gal and enjoys meeting and greeting customers in the shop. She loves to chew on anything (unfortunately) and loves fetching her favorite toys. When you see her in the shop, feel free to stop and pet her! She likes people! |
