Jillian Bremer: On a Mission to Make Vintage Cool Again

February 9, 2016

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by Doris Hobbs[/x_text][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”3/4″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Three years ago, Jillian Bremer took a childhood love for the fashion industry and created what many know today as, Sweet and Spark, a well-curated, vintage jewelry company which focuses on pieces from the 1940s to 1990s. Originally created as a fashion inspired blog, she found a calling to re-launch, reflecting her years of merchandising with American Eagle Outfitters and her father’s love for antiquing. Now as a father-daughter duo, Jillian hunts for the shimmer of each sale she adventures upon, seeking designer pieces that exude high quality with a mission to “make vintage cool again”.

Throughout the years, many have assumed that costume jewelry is dated, unflattering, and non-wearable, but through Sweet and Spark, Jillian has the ability to demonstrate that jewelry inspires. Vintage jewelry is the most emotive and personal of all the decorative jewels, offering a unique insight into the values and aspirations of a past era. In these eras, women were known to own a vast collection of jewelry which ranged from rhinestones, pearls and gems, which showcased a timeless style for every occasion. At the core of Sweet and Spark Jillian explains, “We’re about timeless classics with a love for unique statement pieces. Each piece can inspire an entire collection, much like it did for the brand’s collaboration with Piperlime.”

The value and love of jewels within Jillian has been passed down from her father, Howard Bremer. Howard embodies thirty years of antiquing which has in return gifted Jillian with the sound knowledge of what she likes to call #Sparkhuntin. From her many ventures to flea markets, estate sales, brick and mortar shops, and antique fairs, she has been able to apply her father’s training while she markets strong pieces which reflect unique journeys and past owners, as well as quality craftsmanship and materials. “One of the most valuable things my father has taught me about Sparkhuntin’ is to be first, as the early admission will be worth the real treasure you discover.”

A jewel’s worth can be measured by the importance of the social history it reflects, its rarity and the tales it can unfold. A jewel has the extraordinary ability to bring a loved one back to life — sometimes even answering questions that have remained conundrums for generations. It’s no wonder that coming prepared with a list would be ideal, but in past experiences, having a theme often adds structure to Jillian’s buying strategy as she clearly states, “I never pass up a classic (pearls, tassels, long chains, etc.) or a good deal! But generally I try to focus on whatever categories I’m low in inventory. Currently, I can’t seem to keep statement rings or boho jewelry in stock!” These rare pieces are proof that the demand for costume jewelry has appreciated over the last few years. With a brand that stems from its ‘sweet’ value, which embodies a belief in being genuine to everyone and spreading love through the connection of people, to the ‘spark’ part of believing in yourself enough to follow through with your passions, “we realize that some days are more sweet than sparkly or vice versa,” states Jillian.

Over the past three years from the thrill of the hunt, Jillian states her fondest memory to be from the stories and history acquired by asking questions to the sellers. Though she’s based in San Francisco and her father is in Florida, they spend every other month or so, meeting up in different states around the country for a few days at a time spark hunting. “It’s essentially searching high and low for the best vintage, costume jewelry pieces from the 1950s -1990s” During these remote town visits, they’re spent chatting with her father about life as she states, “He always reminds me that it’s the simple things in life that matter.”

Today, with the love and support from style bloggers, community outreach and company founders such as Jillian, vintage jewelry is making a comeback as it showcases a capsule of a bygone era and finds new love once again. More than that, people are seeking creativity and individuality in their choice of jewelry, as these pieces will always remain timeless.