Born and raised in Santa Monica, Phyllis began making jewelry in the sixties and selling it in "Head Shops" on Venice Beach. After an education in Art Photography she has worked for an environmental graphics design firm for 20 years.

Most of the pieces use vintage glass beads from the 1920's, 30's and 40's from Czechoslovakia, Italy and Bohemia. Other beads are blown by hand (and torch) by the artist. Sterling Silver wire has been incorporated in many pieces. One series of earrings incorporates tumbled, broken glass collected from the January 17th, 1994 earthquake-including her mother's shattered wedding crystal.