JEAN Dobson gave up her day job after taking night classes in stained glass - and has not looked back since.

A nurse for 20 years, Jean started to make mirrors, tea light holders and other designs, which have caught on with buyers.

Mrs Dobson, a mother-of-three, of Whickham, Gateshead, said: "I always wanted to do something totally different.

"I went on a course at a local school to do copperfoil technique stained glass, and followed that with course for leaded panels and copperfoil with Maralyn O'Keefe, of the Glass and Art Gallery, in Consett.

"It just snowballed from there and last June I decided to do it full-time. I really enjoy it and do not regret having given up my job."

Mrs Dobson held a demonstration at the Glass and Art Gallery at the weekend, where she sells her work. She also holds demonstrations at women's institute meetings and sells at other galleries and craft fairs.

Ms O'Keefe said: "Her work is unusual and her pieces are the only ones like it.

"She is always coming up with new and different ideas from practical designs, from tea light holders to mirrors, or more decorative pieces such as angel sun catchers."