Fran Kronstadt grew up watching her father work in a basement workshop surrounded by boxes of tiny brass gears and a completely assembled H&O railroad. He would spend hours designing and assembling intricate model railroad kits.  Although Fran's dad died many years ago, his spirit and committment to detail are very much a part of who Fran is today.

As a Sculpture Major at The Rhode Island School of Design, Fran was exposed to all of the typical sculptural media - clay, wood, stone and even plastic.  But, after her first visit to the school foundry, she knew that she had found her medium of choice - bronze.  From her first casting over 25 years ago as a sculptor to  her jewelry and belt buckles of today, Fran has remained loyal to her passion of bronze casting. Strongly influenced by the ancient Chinese objects and vessels, she has incorporated their attention to detail and form into her own work.

As a sculptor, Fran's work has been shown in galleries throughout New England, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.  As a craftsperson, her buckles and jewelry are shown at major craft shows.