An artist, who combines artisan-made home décor with insect taxidermy to make Victorian-inspired oddities and curiosities, has announced she will be closing her shop.
Jenna Lingwood, who runs Curio Cabinet at No.8 Marketplace in Diss, is set to close the shop at the end of the month.
But the young businesswoman, who has a degree in fine art, said she felt it was not a negative move, but the next step in her creative journey.
“A lot of people have taken it badly,” she said. “While it is disappointing for my customers, for me, personally, it is a new road and a next step, while also giving me the chance for a creative break.
“It has been an incredible journey. I have learned so much about myself and my creative abilities as it has really pushed me.”
Ms Lingwood launched Curio Cabinet in 2016, starting online and at markets, before opening her first shop when the former Beales department store was relaunched as a hub for independent traders.
“There was huge demand for it, which was great, but running your own business is exhausting and it has affected my creativity,” said the 32-year-old.
One of the biggest distractions for Ms Lingwood was having her Instagram account hacked two years ago, after accumulating 22,000 followers.
“The hacker was trying to extort money out of my customers and me,” she told the Diss Express. “It was very stressful and, from that point on, it has been a struggle.
“It took me six years to build a profile and a reputation. To have that taken from me so abruptly really affected my mental health.”
After the shop closes, any remaining stock will be available on the Curio Cabinet website, with the artist open to taking on commissions.
“Everyone has been so accepting and lovely,” said the artist, from Diss. “I have made loads of great friends and I am really humbled that so many people have bought some of my items – I cannot thank them enough.
“It is nice to have a niche product that people are interested in, and I am so grateful for the ride this business has taken me on.”
