Lawrence.com

Age: 59.

Sign: Taurus.

Time in Lawrence: 23 years.

Hometown: Lawrence.

Occupation: Teacher.

What were you doing when scouted: Buying groceries and getting gas at Hy-Vee.

How would you describe your style: Colorful and comfortable. I have a lot of linen and beautifully dyed fabrics in my closet. I love the clothing at Calamity Jane’s and hand-dyed pieces by Charlene Schlotzhauer of Prairie Pond.

Who are your fashion influences: All my nieces, my daughter-in-law, and all the women in secondhand clothing stores because that’s where I shop. I’ve gotten a lot of my favorite pieces at Arizona Trading Company, but my favorite thrift stores are in Topeka.

What are your favorite fashion trends: I hope capris stay in for the rest of my life. They cover most of my legs but give the illusion of wearing shorts. They’re incredibly comfortable. Older women can get away with wearing them, but I’ve worn them all my life. I’ve also worn clogs my whole life and will continue to whether they’re in style or not. I can’t wear heels, which makes me sad because they look fabulous. I also love clunky jewelry: big rings and big rocks.

What are your least favorite fashion trends: Everyone looks so eclectic these days that it’s hard to tell what the trends are. I just really enjoy seeing what people put together. A couple of things I don’t like are printed fabric with folds that aren’t printed and pre-ripped jeans. Also, like some people don’t understand wine, I don’t understand expensive jeans or expensive clothing in general.

What would you like to see more of in Lawrence: I’m very pleased with my hometown. It’s beautiful, wonderful and has great people.

What would you like to see less of in Lawrence: I want to see fewer Lawrence-based shops leave. I want to see Lawrence’s downtown remain vital. It’s the heart of the city.

Tell us a secret: I used to be a professional clogger.

How did you get in to making jewelry: I first made jewelry in my early 20’s when I took a silverwork class at KU. Now I make rock jewelry. What’s so wonderful about rocks is they absorb the heat of your body. If you’re warm, they’re warm. If you’re cool, they’re cool. They’re just magical things. When I get dressed, I start with jewelry and build an outfit from there.

Shirt: Hand-dyed original by Charlene Schlotzhauer, purchased at the Bizarre Bazaar about 12 years ago.

Pants: Lucy, purchased in Detroit two years ago.

Jacket: Faconnable, purchased at Deja Nu in Topeka last spring.

Shoes: Haflinger, purchased at the Footprints warehouse sale three years ago.

Necklace, bracelet, earrings, scarf and bag: Made by me during the last five years.

Rings: Gifts from friends.

Watch: My godfather’s retirement watch from 1972, received 12 years ago.