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Retired educator accessorizes with a flair for fun

Jim Witmer Betsy Clapp shows her personal fashion style for an upcoming edition of Miami Valley Style.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Jim Witmer Betsy Clapp shows her personal fashion style for an upcoming edition of Miami Valley Style.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Jim Witmer Betsy Clapp shows her personal fashion style.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Jim Witmer Betsy Clapp shows her personal fashion style.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Amelia Robinson, Staff Writer Updated 9:56 PM Saturday, September 17, 2011

Betsy Clapp marches to the beat of a different drummer and each toenail on her feet is painted a different color.

“It’s wonderful to take off your shoes and socks and see bright colors,” the retired Northmont City Schools educator said. “People will say, ‘Did your grandchildren do it?’ I say ‘No, I did it.’ ”

The toenail paint treatment is relatively new — she picked it up from a friend — but Clapp has long used jewelry to express herself.

Turquoise, amber and a ring fashioned with diamonds from family rings is among her cherished collection.

While Clapp typically keeps her clothing basic and classic, her jewelry comes in the shades of the rainbow.

“I love stones, gold and silver,” the Denver native and Miami University graduate said.

Friends are alarmed if Clapp is not wearing a least one piece of jewelry. If she’s late to an event, the Clayton resident jokingly blames a “jewelry crisis.” She wears coordinating jewelry right after water aerobics.

“I wear jewelry when I am at home, even if I am not going anywhere,” she said. “It is for me to enjoy, no matter where I am.”

Contributing to the community has been Clapp’s work.

She joined the Muse Machine in 2003 as its elementary program coordinator.

She later became the youth arts group’s secondary program coordinator and is now a volunteer. An award named in her honor is granted to a new Muse Machine advisor for program excellence.

Like the pieces purchased during a Shiloh Church, United Church of Christ mission trip to the Dominican Republic, most of the jewelry in her whimsical and elegant collection holds important memories.

Nowadays, Clapp spends much of her time with her grandchildren, art and golf.

“I am really retired,” she said. “I tell my husband my job is to play.”

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