Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Stykes.
Hi Kate, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Having grown up on Long Island, I felt the West calling me before I’d ever left home. I answered that call after a breakup in 2019 by moving to Texas, the land my mother’s mother was born and raised on. I cried the moment my plane touched down and I knew I’d never move back home. That was over seven years ago.
I’m deeply drawn to the spirituality in nature, as well as the many forms of creative expression that we have available to us as humans. As a hobby enthusiast, my passion for life leads me to give everything a try at least once—with the understanding that only some things will stick. My life has always been about trying and failing, learning and growing, and following every path until the right ones become clear. My deeper purpose is continuous spiritual work around self-discovery and growth. Everything else is a manifestation of playfulness.
I currently reside in the Dripping Springs area and spend most of my time working, photographing nature, foraging native seasonal fruits to bake with, exploring small towns, and doing my best to stay in conversation with God.
If I could give one piece of life advice, it would be this: give everything that makes your heart flutter a try. Even if no one knows. Even if everyone knows and it goes nowhere. I’ve written a full book of poetry that no one’s ever read. I started a Substack that I struggle to consistently post on. I completed an Olympic triathlon just because I thought I couldn’t and wanted to show myself that I could. I’ve tried so many hobbies that I’d need five hands to count them. It doesn’t matter what sticks and what doesn’t—the reward is that you eventually find out what does. You’ll get to look back on the rich fabric of your life and realize you never wasted a moment being afraid to start something new. For me, this process is what led to the birth of Prickly Pearl Mercantile.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When it comes to starting my brand, I’ve definitely had moments when I’ve doubted my qualifications. I’ve also feared that if I’m not successful, I might just give up. But there’s a solution, which is the same one I apply to all areas of my life: relax, drop the fear, and make it fun. Nothing has to be serious, and I believe God rewards those who put their trust in the natural process. If what I’m doing is meant for me, then I have no doubt I’ll succeed!
Another ideal I often keep in mind is to hold onto outcomes firmly but the journey loosely. The how, when, and where may look completely different from what I expected, so I hold my goals steadfast and stay open to how I achieve them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Creative expression shows up for me in many ways, one of them being a unique sense of fashion. Part of the reason I love the West is its untamed sense of freedom that you can feel through the clothing. Worn leather, wool hats, turquoise and silver, python belly boots, cowhide and sheepskin—all from the natural world and meticulously crafted. And then piecing together an outfit that someone wouldn’t expect.
Since moving to the Austin area, I’ve developed a passion for exploring antique malls and vintage stores in small towns across the Hill Country and beyond. As I’ve become more connected to myself and the land through my spirituality, I knew I had to start sharing the treasures I come across with the world.
Prickly Pearl Mercantile is still in its infancy. Right now, the online shop lives on eBay and carries vintage and secondhand clothing and jewelry from my travels across the West. My heart is particularly drawn to the Northern New Mexico region, so people will see that show up in my listings. I also offer personal shopping and wardrobe consultation services.
I don’t yet know how it will grow and develop. I’d eventually like to build up enough brand awareness to move off eBay and to focus fully on sourcing luxury goods and jewelry, and maybe even open a brick-and-mortar shop. I also knit, sew, and work with leather, so making my own clothing is certainly an idea I’d love to pursue one day.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Fast fashion and mass production gave us convenience, but at the cost of connection—both to the things we own and to the people who make them. I’m already seeing pushback: there’s a growing hunger for what’s genuine over what’s trending, and for real human interaction over algorithm-driven shopping. I believe the next decade will see more people returning to timeless quality, secondhand and vintage goods, and personal, relationship-based buying—the kind where you actually know who you’re buying from and why it matters.
In my personal collection, the pieces I’m fondest of are those that have a memory behind them: a turquoise cabochon bracelet I bought in the Santa Fe Plaza from a Pueblo artisan who shared his story with me, a charoite ring I found while exploring Southern Utah with my best friend, a coat I thrifted during the winter I spent in Sun Valley, Idaho. Memorable stories are what give pieces their true value. In my work, I hope to share this value with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pricklypearlmercantile.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katestykes
- Other: https://www.ebay.com/usr/pricklypearlmercantile
