We had the good fortune of connecting with Briana Ali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Briana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting Bittersweet was really about following a feeling—a pull to create something meaningful. Back in 2013, I was just playing around with beads and charms in my dorm room, and I fell in love with how jewelry could hold memories, emotions, even little pieces of magic. I wanted to build something that felt deeply personal, something that could capture that beautiful, bittersweet balance we all experience in life. My goal is to create pieces that people could connect with on a personal level—jewelry that serves as a gentle reminder of both the light and the shadows we carry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is about capturing the little moments and feelings that often go unspoken—the beauty in both the light and the shadow. With Bittersweet, I aim to create pieces that hold a sense of nostalgia and tiny moments of beauty, evoking memories, emotions, and even a bit of mystery. What sets Bittersweet apart, I think, is this intention to embrace the bittersweet parts of life and turn them into something beautiful you can wear every day. I hope that Bittersweet can make others feel seen & understood by turning personal moments into wearable art.

Getting here wasn’t easy, and I’m proud of every challenge along the way. I started in 2013, learning jewelry-making from my college dorm, with no roadmap other than my love for creating. There were times I felt uncertain and faced setbacks, but I kept going because I believed in the magic behind the brand & I had a deep desire to connect with others. Each challenge taught me resilience, and, most importantly, the power of staying true to myself and my vision.

Through Bittersweet, I want the world to know that even in the darker moments, there’s always light to be found. Every piece I design comes with that message, as a reminder of both hope and the beauty in life’s bittersweet balance. My goal is to create jewelry that’s more than just an accessory—it’s a part of your story, a little piece of magic that resonates with your own journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Miami for a week, I’d make sure we hit all the vibrant, iconic, and hidden spots that make this city special. I would definitely include taking them to the following spots for a fun time: Wynwood, South Beach, and a patch of Heaven Sanctuary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my family & friends for always supporting & encouraging me with my jewelry business. That support has kept me going on the dark days & has given me inspiration when things get tough. They’ve always been there for me whether it was visiting/working with me during pop-ups, celebrating my launches, and helping me when things got overwhelming (shoutout to helping package during holiday season). Since I was a kid, my family has always encouraged me in my artistic pursuits & interests and I’m forever grateful for them seeing the potential even in times when I couldn’t.

Website: https://bittersweetjewelry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bittersweetjewelry_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaali/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bittersweetjewels/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bittersweetjewelry_

Image Credits
Photography | Katie Puc: https://www.katiepucphotography.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYTnnKnAZyEmKSvrITYy7wZlJL0AwKumfyIhX6FfDJMUZo-IMj1Vw5o2oY_aem_mYikEOCCoXlkbjoWMlV2jQ

Photography | Dempsey Hall : https://www.instagram.com/delmundoimagery/

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