Serendipity was involved in 1986 start of Fran Olsen's jewelry business which, in the beginning, used fishing tackle components. Her education was in traditional jewelry techniques of fabrication, casting and lapidary, and, was part of her degree in occupational therapy from the University of Minnesota. This knowledge base has been supplemented with classes taken at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Design in San Francisco and from Rio Grande Albuquerque during the gem shows in Tucson, Arizona.
Fabricating her pieces from sterling silver, brass, copper and occasionally gold filled sheet, Olsen occasionally uses semi-precious cabochons and found material. A new medium is precious metal clay (PMC®).
After a 35-year career in occupational therapy, Olsen is now enjoying retirement, in theory to spend time with her retired husband. "There is so much to learn and do, life is a constant creation."
Fran Olsen welcomes commissions.