Phyllis Eagle Kalionzes was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. She began making jewelry in the sixties and selling it in "Head Shops" on Venice Beach. After an education in art and photography, she has worked for an Environmental Graphics Design firm for 30 years, stopping only for a brief film career, Props and Art Department...and child bearing two great kids.
Most of the pieces used are vintage glass beads from the 1920's, 30's and 40's from Czechoslovakia, Italy and Bohemia. Freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones and sterling silver sire have been incorporated in many pieces. One series of earrings incorporates tumbled, broken glass collected from the January 17th, 1994 Los Angeles earthquake, including her mother's shattered wedding crystals.
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| Glass earrings, rings with glass and sterling silver bands |
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| Beaded necklaces and bracelets |
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| Phyllis attracts customers young and old to purchase these wonderful guitar pick earrings |
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| A collection of Vintage earrings |
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| New designs include multiple metals stamped, cold connected and layered together to compliment each other |
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| An old standard of Phyllis'...baby harmonicas made into earrings. A very popular item at the gallery |
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| Multiple metals coordinated beautifully together to create earrings and necklaces |
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Multiple metals fused/cold connected together in stunning necklace and earring designs
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A FYI about Phyllis - her bond and connection to Ten Women Gallery...
Phyllis is one of the original founding members of our gallery and we are proud and grateful to still have her with us. Her tireless dedication to our uniqueness and desire to keep Ten Women of quality and integrity is what contributes to the success of our wholeness as a co-operative gallery. The vision remains in tack because she is a part of our originality and the continued steps forward to bring Ten Women into the next decade.
In Phyllis' own words...
"Ten Women Gallery on Montana Avenue is the fourth Ten Women Gallery that I have had the privilege to help make happen. We started on Main Street in Santa Monica in 1994, two art teachers at SMASH, 2 parents and 6 others had access to a small space that fit exactly ten women artists (hence the name). When we started, we had no idea what we were doing and made it up as we went along. Two years later we were approached by many local artists who wanted to join our co-op, so we opened a second gallery on 17th and Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica. In time we outgrew that space and moved to Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. We were at that space for 11 years before our move to Montana Avenue in November, 2011. We are very happy to be in our new community.
My work has been evolving in the 18 years I've been involved with the co-op experience. I've done earthquake glass from the 1994 LA quake, wire work and fused glass. My latest adventure is with copper, brass and silver - texturing, embossing and laying have resulted in new combinations that excite and inspire me to do more.
We invite you to stop in to visit and see what makes Ten Women the success that it is. Looking forward to sharing our passion with you....
