We're so happy to introduce today's The Nature Of! It's Houston's Neeli Sharrett of tweet & peep jewelry, and we can't wait to see how she blows it out at her first Heartmade market!
(Full disclosure: we also love the artist that she loves and so we played his music while we edited this post!)
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Finding the right balance of success, hard work, fun, and family time.
Which living person do you most admire?
Probably my husband, Dub. He gets up at the butt crack of dawn 6-7 days of the week for work. He busts his butt to make a living for our family. He is a softball and T-Ball coach. He is passionate about his beliefs and is very reasonable in his thinking. He is my best friend! I don't know what I would do without him.
Also I admire my daughter Tyler. She is so strong headed for a 9 year old. She is tough yet so sweet. She loves competition but always loves being girlie and crafty.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Bags! I have always loved purses, jewelry, and all accessories. I still love accessories to this day and love finding unique, handmade grey leather bags.
What is your current state of mind?
Grateful! I'm so thankful for my family (hubby and 2 healthy, amazing kiddos), friends, our home, our community, and my small business supporters.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Patience. As a wife, mom, working woman, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, and small business owner, it's hard to keep it all together. I try my best to be patient with my family, friends, and business, but it's so HARD to juggle it all while keeping a smile on my face. I try my best though!
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My upper arms. I wish they were more toned but I'm working on it.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
As traits, honest and dependability are important. As for looks, I dig my hubby's facial hair. He always tries to change it up.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Hmmm...not sure!
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Are you serious?" or "Seriously!" Maybe I doubt myself and ask people for confirmation a lot.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My hubby Dub is the greatest love of my life! We have been together since high school. Together over 20 years and married for over 13 years. Still going strong!!
When and where were you happiest?
With my family and friends. And meeting new people at markets/shows around town.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could sew. I'm pretty mechanical and can figure things out on my way, but I wish I could sew. Maybe then I could make my own bags!
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I wish I would have been better at saving money at an early age. But my husband has taught me how to do it now.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Biology degree. I have always been excited about science and wanted a career in science. Going into college, I thought I would go into Optometry but ended up graduated when my future unknown. I ended up in the Clinical Research Industry and absolutely love it. Now working in this field for over 14 years, I love that our work helps to get new and better medications on the market to help people who are in need.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing what would it be?
My grandfather Shu-Shu. HIs life ended too short. I wish I could have spent more time with him.
Where would you most like to live?
Houston is great! But I'd love to live in California or Austin.
What is your most treasured possession?
Our home. My husband and I bought our first home in 2003. We bought our next home in 2015 and spent over 3 months remodeled. We moved in with the kids the week of Christmas 2015. We then flooded in April 2016 and were out of our new home for 3 months. We were forced to repair and remodel again. The flood made our family stronger! We love our home and entertaining for family and friends! This is our forever home!
What is your most marked characteristic?
I would say that I'm caring! Even when I was young, my family would say that I was the "grandma" in the family. I was always worried about others (how they felt, how they would react, and how they would be impacted by things). I still worry about things but it's just a different worry/care now as an adult.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty. I love getting my friends' opinions on new styles of jewelry. A shout-out to my friend Jennie who comes to help with me with my shows. I love getting her idea on new creations, new jewelry displays, and always love hanging out with her at my events. Thank you, Jennie!
Who are your favorite artists?
Tupac for sure! I loved Tupac as a poet and musician. Anytime I hear Tupac's music, it puts me in a groove. I love listening to his music when I work, workout, and/or just to hang.
Which local artists or makers most inspire you?
Ellie from ellion and Natasha from Burdlife. They are always so nice to me and my daughter at shows. And they are at so many shows too! They inspire me to do more with my small business. I actually started making candles before I started making jewelry, so I can appreciate the candle making process. You go Ellie! And even though I make jewelry myself, I love seeing and buying jewelry from other artists plus Natasha is so sweet. Makers support makers too!!
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Does Joanna Gaines count? She's pretty famous! I love her style, her ideas, and her connection with the community (and nation I guess). She seems to do it all while still having fun and keeping her family together.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My mom. As a single mom, she raised me and my sister and taught us to be independent, self-respected women. As a young child, I know my mom was a hard-working lady and would do anything for her children. She always put us first and never settled for anything but the best for her girls.
What are your favorite names?
I always loved the name Tyler for a girl. There was a character named Tyler in the movie Point Break, and I've always remembered that. When my husband and I started talking about names when I was pregnant, I mentioned the name Tyler and he immediately agreed. There was no turning back. My husband goes by the name 'Dub' which is also a fav of mine. His given name is William Charles Sharrett IV but has always gone by Dub. With both of us having unique names, it was great that we both agreed on the name Tyler for our daughter so quickly.
What is your motto?
Be bold, Be unique, Be beautiful, Be you
From Vanity Fair: "The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature." We've taken the original Proust Questionnaire and modified it a bit for our artists and makers so that they can share more about themselves with all of you. Check out the series to see how they all answered.
