Having taken on a former fabrics shop, Magpie Diamond Art in Lowestoft is the first diamond art shop of its kind in the county.
Magpie Diamond Art shop in Kirkley, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Since opening the shop on London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft in December “diamond art addict” Kerry Larsson said she had been “overwhelmed” by the support the business has received.
The unique art is described as a popular creative hobby that gives extra sparkle to pictures “with dazzling diamond painting” as it is similar to cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers.
With the store dedicated to offering quality diamond art and accessories, Mrs Larsson said: “We are the first diamond art shop in Suffolk to open up our doors to the public.”
With her husband Niels Larsson, who works at Birds Eye in Lowestoft but helps “in the background” at the shop whenever he can, the couple are “known as Mr and Mrs Magpie.”
Kerry and Niels Larsson at Magpie Diamond Art shop in Kirkley, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Mrs Larsson said: “I was given a kit and that is how it started off.
“We have been selling for three years and then we started making wax for the pens.”
Having been a carer for 30 years, when the coronavirus outbreak hit Mrs Larsson had to go into shielding which led to her suffering health issues.
She said: “I had to give up the job that I loved doing – so I started diamond painting three-and-a-half years ago after I was gifted a set by a friend during shielding to cheer me up.”
From there she has not looked back – as it soon blossomed into a business.
Mrs Larsson said: “I did not like the wax you get with the pictures, so I started making my own homemade diamond art waxes for the pens instead of what you get with the kits.
Kerry and Niels Larsson at Magpie Diamond Art shop in Kirkley, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
“They last a lot longer and this led to us selling the waxes on Facebook and Etsy.
“We were surprised at how well they sold and how many orders we were getting – so we then decided to sell diamond art pictures.
“We didn’t think they would sell very well but to our amazement we kept selling out.”
With more and more accessories, the expanding business outgrew the family home in Lowestoft as they rented a cabin in Hopton to sell diamond art kits, personalised pictures and more.
But with still “a lot more space” required, and as they searched for a suitable premises an “ideal” former fabric shop on London Road South cropped up – leading Magpie Diamond Art to open at 166 London Road South in December.
Magpie Diamond Art shop in Kirkley, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Mrs Larsson said: “Since opening we have had very good reviews and lots of local customers, it has been quite overwhelming the comments and responses we’ve had – people love it.
“It is quite unique.
“We don’t just sell diamond art pictures, we also sell kits, accessories and we do customised pictures that can turn it into diamond art
“We also have in fully licensed pictures from artists including Magic of Time and Roger Carpenter.”
Their diverse collection also features Magpie’s premium diamond art wax for pens – offered in chocolate, pina colada, bubble gum, vanilla and much more – as well as Mrs Magpie’s handmade putty.
And such has been the growth of the thriving business that sessions are to be held in the evening in the shop – with a new diamond art group running.
Mrs Larsson added: “We are very proud of what we have achieved so far and this is an ongoing project for us.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us on our journey, it has been overwhelming.”
As well as the businesses website www.magpiediamondart.com and Facebook page, Magpie Diamond Art also offers click and collect.