Just in time for the holiday gift-giving frenzy, I’ve discovered Barbara Wheeler’s Lush Jewelry collection. This fabulously talented designer has created a delicate and feminine selection that’s ideal for petite frames. And it’s every bit as unique as it is dainty. Because, fortunately for the lucky recipient, most of her pieces are one of a kind. Her design philosophy is all about freedom of expression, rather than mass production, and her customers love her for it.

I was honored to chat with Barbara about Lush Jewelry and what inspired her latest collection.

What are your favorite metals and stones to work with, and why?
I mostly work with 14k gold filled and sterling silver because they are so versatile. I can make something that looks really organic or add some juicy gemstones and make a really luscious, expensive-looking piece. Lately I’ve been obsessing over gunmetal — it has a vintagey appearance that I like to pair with gold for a chic, unique look. I also love rainbow moonstone, labradorite and green amethyst because they’re so clear and almost look wet when they’re high quality.

What inspires your line?
So many things inspire me. Nature, architecture — and not having any earrings to wear today! So, of course, I’ll have to sit down and make a pair of earrings to perfectly complement my outfit and mood. That happens a lot. Sometimes they’re one of a kind and sometimes they make it into my line. But they ALWAYS make me late!

What would you like my readers to know about your line?
So often, my jewelry is described as “delicate,” so whether they choose a three-inch long pair of earrings or small hoops, their petite frames will be accentuated rather than overwhelmed by my jewelry.

Lush Jewelry has graced the pages of ELLE, Pacific, Want, and 944 magazines, and has been used in a number of local fashion shows. A growing number of fashionistas and celebrities alike are taking notice. Petite musician Lily Allen in particular, if you don’t mind the name-drop!

Lucky for us, she’s agreed to a serafina giveaway! Winners will have a choice of the following:

See yourself pairing one of these beauties with your new holiday attire? Comment or email and tell us why you deserve to own such a fabulous design, and it can be yours. We’ll select winners Wednesday, November 12th.

Congrats goes to Jess in the Bronx! She is the big winner of the Lula Lu corset and panty set. She wrote:

So… I grew up in a really rural area where beauty always equaled busty bosoms. I always felt somewhat inadequate (and the cruel comments boys used to make about my chest certainly didn’t help).

I am older now and happily living in New York! I grew to love my body, and I wouldn’t change anything about myself in a million years! I don’t want to sound cheesy (I totally sound cheesy), but I’ve finally realized that everybody is beautiful… it’s just a matter of finding what works for you. Falling in love with fashion increased my confidence immeasurably. And thanks to the internet and blogs like yours… it’s been a lot easier to find flattering dresses that show off my waist or jeans that enhance my assets.

But I unfortunately still have yet to find the perfect lingerie set… I fluctuate between a 32a/aa, and I’m so TIRED of having lingerie just hang off of me. Oh Lula Lu, why are you all the way in California? I have had that corset bookmarked for MONTHS, but because I am a poor college student, I haven’t been able to save up enough money to purchase it… and burgundy is my favorite color! Okay enough begging.

Remember when I said that this fall’s fashion included blacks and greys with splashes of color, like burgundy? Well, here’s your burgundy, ladies! I’m giving away one corset-panty set from our favorite petite-lovin’ lingerie shop, Lula Lu. Sizing is limited—your potential sexiness is not, of course! So tell me why you must have this playful set of lacy goodness, using your PG-13 judgment, and I’ll announce the winner on October 8th. Good luck!

Congratulations goes out to Isabel of West Hollywood and Katherine of New York City! You girls are the proud owners of new fall legwear courtesy of Seattle’s Atsui Tokyo!

Isabel wrote:

Good stockings are definitely a necessity this fall. Especially with all of the skirts that are trendy. I want these bc I want stockings and leggings that fit. And they’re really really cool.

Katherine proclaimed:

I’m 5′0″ and a size 2 petite. I need new hose, socks, leggings you name it. Thanks for the chance to win small sizes!! You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

Enjoy your new sexy legwear girls. And to all others who entered, stay tuned for more serafina petite giveaways!

Want more info on the hottest Japanese trends? Stop by the Atsui Tokyo Web site. Atsui carries exclusively Japanese upscale designer fashion for both men and women, including a range of premium Japanese denim and a selection of clothing and accessories to meet both casual and professional demands.  Atsui focuses on the up-and-coming Japanese designers and the quality of the fabric and the make provided by Japanese artisanship. And they’re available to all of you sweet petites right here in the US of A.

The right stockings are a must this season for all of your fashionable petite outfits. The serafina Atsui Tokyo Gunze legwear giveaway ends Friday! Share with me why you must have a few pair of stockings, and we’ll reward the two lucky readers with goodies from Tokyo’s very own label Gunze. Just leave a comment or send an email why you need this legwear and it could be yours. My favs? The fishnets. What girl doesn’t want the hottest hosiery from Tokyo…?

And as a super bonus, Atsui Tokyo is offering free shipping to serafina readers with a minimum order of $15, valid during the giveaway only. This offer applies to email and phone orders only. Simply mention “serafina.” E-mail requests should be sent to sales AT atsuitokyo DOT com.

This time of year, we petites begin taking note of stockings. The prints, the solids, the daring-but-occasionally-necessary fish nets. But finding a collection that doesn’t sag or pucker is near impossible.

Of course, I’d never point out a flaw in our fashion system without promptly sharing a solution!

Seattle’s very own Atsui Tokyo boutique is our mecca for perfectly fitted stockings. Ladies, the quality of the stockings is superb. In addition to being superbly soft and comfy, these beauties fit perfectly without rolling, pinching or sagging.

I’m overjoyed, of course, and simply must give away an assortment of these key finds. Share with me why you must have a few pair of stockings, and we’ll reward the two lucky readers with goodies from Japanese stocking label Gunze. Just leave a comment or send an email why you need these tights and they could be yours. The drawing ends Friday, September 26th, and winners will be announced Monday, September 30th!

Stockings are one-size, and the recommended size for M/L  is 4′11″ to 5′5″. Check out Atsui’s online shop for additional info.

Also, for those ready to commit, Atsui Tokyo is offering free shipping to serafina readers with a minimum order of $15, valid during the giveaway only. This offer applies to email and phone orders only. Simply mention “serafina.” E-mail requests should be sent to sales AT atsuitokyo DOT com.

I’m thrilled to announce the winners of the Balzac giveaway. And, because there were so many entries Lynn generously offered another pair of pants to serafina readers.  The winners are Courtney in Antioch, CA and Kim in Alberta, Canada!

Courtney wrote:

I need a new pair of pants because I work in a public library and I think if I owned a pair of petite candy pants, no patron would ever come up to me again and say, “Oh my gosh, you’re so tiny. When do you graduate from high school?” Instead, they’d say, “Your pants are made of so much awesome,” and that would make me just a tad happier every day.

Kim declared:

Honestly…I only have two pairs of pants that fit me. I had twins a little over a year ago and had to say goodbye to my wardrobe forever. I went from a size 2 to a size 10 and don’t feel very good about it. Those pants actually might make me feel a bit better.

Congratulations ladies! Lynn and I hope you enjoy your fabulous new pants. For all of you gals that entered — stay tuned, we will be hosting more giveaways in the coming weeks.

I have to say I’m flattered to host a giveaway for Lynn Colclough, designer and mastermind of the petite clothing line Balzac. She’s is a rising face in petite fashion design and we are thrilled to work with her! To celebrate Lynn’s appearance on the TLC program Who Are You Wearing? we’re offering a pair of Balzac Candy Pants right here on serafina. In an email or comment, tell us why you need a new pair of pants and they’re all are yours!

The pants are all cotton, lined, sit on the hip, totally ass rocking and they’re made right here in the Golden State. Sizing is 0P-10P — check out her handy sizing chart for more details. We’ll be drawing for the pants next Friday, September 12th and announcing the winner Monday, September 15th. Good luck!

Naomi Pradhan of Beaverton, Oregon is our winner! Congrats Naomi!

Naomi’s winning entry reads:

As a petite gal I always end up purchasing pants that are ill fitted. They are either too long which I end up hemming disastrously or they end up being too loose because I have to purchase them from the junior’s section.

Shopping in the junior’s section is a crying shame, and having disastrous hemming is agonizing! We wanted to help her out with a proper fitting pair of size 6 pants for her 5’2″ frame. 5ft2in pants are made from a polyester, rayon, and lycra blend fabric, they’re machine washable and super comfortable. And hey, there is no ironing needed! Did I mention they come in a handful of colors? Well, they do.

We’re thrilled to give these pants to Naomi. Thanks everyone for entering! Keep reading for more serafina giveaways very soon!

Hey girls! Its your last chance to enter the 5ft2in drawing this week. Final ‘worst pants story’ entries must be submitted by midnight Friday August 8th, and the winner will be announced Monday August 11th! Don’t miss out on a brand spankin’ new pair of capris that’ll fit your gorgeous petite frame. Sizing begins at 0P-10P.

*Entries should be sent to info AT serafinablog DOT com.