Barbara was born in Athens, Georgia in 1946. She lived in Ithaca, New York for the majority of her childhood, returning to Athens to attend the University of Georgia, where she received her Bachelor's of Fine Art, majoring in Ceramics.

She finished her studies at Happy Valley, a craft community where potters from across the country came together in the late 60s and 70s to work and live together under the guidance of Jerry and Kathy Chappelle.

In 1980, she and Paul Bendzunas married. She continued to work in clay while raising a daughter, and twin sons. Married to a glass blower, running their gallery and helping with the business, she had many interruptions. Each time, she returned to her work renewed and full of new ideas and directions.

In 1993 she began to blow glass. She is now working in hot glass full time with Paul, who is teaching her. She is making some of the studio pieces, designed by him, as well as her own designs.

"My designs are based on nature. I spend a lot of time in my garden and in our woods. The tree motif which I have developed benefits from the interaction of light that glass possesses and the feeling of depth that is so characteristic of the medium. The depth and light quality of glass exceeds that of the best porcelain. The richness of the colors, the fluidity of the process, and the preciousness that is inherent to glass make this medium incredibly satisfying."

These trees have gone from representations of groves and groups on hill sides, to the single trees being done now. Several other series are still in the future.

Her face paperweights represent her other side. They are kept loose and childlike, using bright colors.

Her work is now being displayed and sold in shops and galleries across the United States.