A native New Yorker, transplanted in the suburbs of New Jersey, I am a graduate of Parsons School of Design. I've had a long career in Art Direction/Graphic Design with both agencies and running my own design studio. About ten years ago I stepped back to be a full time mother although I still kept my hand in the design area by doing the promotion for my husbands computer business and small websites for his clients. I've always written as a hobby but in the past few years I began doing jewelry design, photo/art, and writing fiction. In 2008 I formed ISSIwear LLC - to design jewelry for environmental causes. Our first piece is a stunning silver sterling silver pendant on an extra long 32" chain that in engraved in a graceful script with the words "I support American renewable energy" A percentage of each sale goes to the "Northeast Sustainable Energy Association" - NESEA. Our website - www.issiwear.com - is geared to young girls and their mothers to help them lower their carbon footprint in ways that don't impact their lifestyle. We are planning profiles of businesses and the way they've done this, tips, links to other applicable sites, and much more. I see this time in my life as the time I can really express my creative energies to help positive change.

How did you get to where you are now?

I think it was a combination of planning and life hitting me in the head. My earlier career was Graphic Design/Art Direction. After many years I "retired" to raise my children. But I was always somewhat involved creatively. In 2006 I decided to get involved in jewelry design, both handmade and manufactured. One thing led to another and I got somewhat trained on a CAD system for jewelry. At the same time I started to become aware of the environmental challenges we were facing, and started to think of how I could use something that women everywhere love, to convey the message. I had a lot of help from my husband in terms of manufacturing and my daughter and her friends in terms of surveys, focus groups and their very valuable opinions. And of course they were all my first customers and "spokespeople".

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I had just moved to our home and put my kids into public school after having been in a tiny private school. I felt I was in a position to be a full time mom and pursue some of my own interests. I took pottery, and ballroom and latin dance in between driving to school, dance lessons, football, tae kwon do and play dates. I join the Women's Auxiliarly, etc, etc. I was trying to find a place for myself. Now I see I will probably work as long as I can - either for someone else or myself. And although I still love latin dance, I have discovered myself in the jewelry arena, photography and writing. I see myself as more seasoned. I don't feel old. But I am more tolerant, more grounded, more realistic.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I see myself working in the arts. Jewelry, photography, writing, dance and whatever these lead me to. I see ISSIwear as a known entity in the jewelry environmental arena. My plan is to downsize sometime around then. Move to a community where I can have an active social life with other creative people. Spend part of the day keeping fit (or should I say getting fit), part of the day in creative, and part in social or family. Of course there will be down time and flexibility. In a nutshell to be in a position where I am doing what I love, earning some money at it, and living more or less stress free.

Dear Phyllis,
Wish you were here - Oh right, you will be. Listen. Time goes much faster than you think it will. Prepare well. Have fun but plan ahead. Put aside more money and keep your education going. There will be more changes in the world than in any other era in history. Get ready - and remember Get out of the stock market the minute it hits 14,000 and stay out. Oh yeah - if you do end up with a lot of money to invest - stay far away from Bernie Madoff, Shearson Brothers, General Motors and Chrysler. No, I'm not kidding. New words to learn - Google, Yahoo, Ebay, texting, twittering and no I am not talking baby talk.

My mother for being the pillar of our family, for her style and grace.
My daughter for having the courage and confidence to always pursue her dream with no back off.