Lisa was born in Tauranga, New Zealand, in 1967. She graduated from Northland Polytechnic and Hungry Creek Arts and Crafts School with a Diploma in Applied Arts in 1991, majoring in jewellery. She went on to learn flame-worked glass bead-making techniques with glass blower Peter Viesnik and has been a self-employed craft artist since 1994. Lisa participates in many group and solo jewellery shows.