It’s true — you can find yourself living in the city, but if you were born in the country, it never truly leaves you. I grew up in rural Exeter, Rhode Island, and I still carry that quieter country life in my heart.
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While I hope to return to country life someday, for now, I bring the country with me wherever I go. Being a “country girl” is woven into my soul — it’s who I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hello and welcome to Primfolks Mercantile! My name is Kimberley — aka KAL, the signature I use on my art — and I’m the owner, founder, creator, and self-taught artist behind everything you see here. From the graphics and web design to the music I compose for the site, and all the arts and crafts you’ll find now and in the future — I make it all.
I’m 57 years old, a mom, and a devoted fur-baby parent. Though I currently live in the city, I was born and raised in rural New England, and the country has never left me. It’s in my heart, my soul, and my everyday life. I cook with love, travel when I can, read often, and pour my creativity into making my home feel as country as possible — no matter where I am.
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Primfolks Mercantile is my way of embracing what’s inside me — the part that finds joy and meaning in creating. Outside of my people and pets, this is what brings me happiness. It’s not just a hobby or a business — it’s a lifelong calling. Whether online or offline (and to me, it’s all real life), I’ll be doing this for the rest of my days.
I guess you could call me a “maker.” If it involves glue or food, I’m probably making something. My hands are always busy, and so is my imagination.
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What inspires me?
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Honestly? Life. I’m endlessly inspired by the seasons, holidays, and memories of growing up in the country. Old houses, vintage decor, scenes from my childhood — they all stir something deep in me. My heart truly rejoices at the sight of a snowman in winter, pumpkins in the fall, and colored eggs in spring.
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Though folk art is often considered raw and simple, I find myself spending hours on the tiniest details — the ones that need to come forward and speak. So while a finished piece may look minimal, it’s often the result of deep crafting and care. That’s what inspires me most: the soul within folk art. Whether big or small, simple or intricate, each piece has a spirit — and that’s what I strive to bring out in everything I make.
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Even in the digital realm, I believe soul matters. AI can generate a draft, sure — but only through editing, refining, and adding heart does something truly meaningful emerge. That’s my goal with this site: to use AI as a tool, like a paintbrush, to help bring “Primitive Charms, Modern Magic” to life.
Photograph I took at Holly Hill, England in April 2024.
Photograph I took a few years ago in Mystic Village, CT.
A few of my Favorite Things:
Photographs: The first book I ever fell in love with as a child (Mother Goose). Then in the middle is "Kitty" my favorite doll, as not only do dolls inspire me, but I collect Barbie's, Bligh, and any that capture my heart. And lastly a picture of a spring daffodil from a garden in Hampshire England I took a few years ago. As flowers most certainly are one of my favorite things.