Barbara Gilbert, jewelry collector and owner of Barbara's New Beginnings

How do you describe your personal style?

Fun. I love bright colors, mostly because they make me feel good – and that's my philosophy about clothes: whatever makes me happy. I like spring colors – bright pinks, oranges – and nice, flowing fabrics. And I wear a lot of animal prints, especially in the summer.

Do you always wear jewelry?

Everybody has a hobby and mine is my jewelry. I like to choose things that are different and bold. Jewelry is versatile. You can take one outfit, put different accessories with it and change it into a whole new outfit.

Where do you buy your jewelry?

I love to buy and support small businesses. I buy jewelry at art fairs and from a lot of women who make and sell jewelry as a hobby. I get some from a woman named Sondra Herring, who owns Sondra's Designs. The turquoise necklace I'm wearing in the picture was handmade – the big beads were hand-blown – by two women in Indianapolis who own a business called Girlfriends. And Jull Duzan, another woman who makes jewelry as a hobby, made me a piece – a necklace made of blue topaz and turquoise. It's beautiful.

Where do you keep it all?

I keep it in my closet. I go to the dollar store and buy these little plastic trays with drawers you can stack in your closet. And I have everything organized alphabetically by color. "B" is for blue. "O" is for orange.

Do you have any fashion pet peeves?

I like to see colors put together, but it has to be done well. I really don't like holes in your pants or pants that are hung really low. I guess I like to see women be women, but also be fun. Even in business attire, you can add a scarf for color. I'm a scarf nut. I put scarves with most everything.

You own a lingerie shop that caters in part to women with breast prosthesis and post-mastectomy needs. What made you start that?

When I was in the hospital, I had roommates who had undergone mastectomies. I knew I wanted to help them in some way. I wanted these women to feel feminine and feel comfortable. I started by studying breast prosthesis and realized there was a lot (of lingerie) available out there. It grew from there. Last month, one of the companies I deal with invited me to Germany. While I was there, I helped them design and make breast prostheses and bras.

So, I assume you have a lot of lingerie?

Oh, yes. Considering companies will send me things to try out, I've ended up with a big collection.