FORMER Worcester News journalist and sub-editor Jackie Harris has put down her pen, logged out of her computer and taken up glass cutting after 16 years of working for newspapers.

The 43-year-old mother of two has set up a new business called Art of Glass, working from her home in Wedderburn Road, Barnards Green, Malvern, making windows and independent hanging panels from original contemporary designs using traditional techniques.

"I have always loved glass, ever since I was a child," said Jackie. "I used to collect old bottles of every shape, size and colour, and scour beaches for glass. About 12 years ago I signed up for a weekend glass course in Birmingham and I absolutely loved every minute of it but didn't pursue it any further because my first baby came along shortly after that.

"About three years ago I spotted a stained glass course at Malvern Hills College and signed up for that immediately. Again, I was enthralled by all the possibilities of the textures and colours of glass. "As soon as I built up a basic kit of tools and a few sheets of glass I found I was spending every spare minute of my time cutting and soldering new designs.

"When friends saw my work and started ordering pieces for themselves or presents I started to think I might be able to develop this hobby into a way of earning a living." Jackie's first commission was for a transom window above a front door for a friend's Victorian house in Stourbridge, West Midlands. The couple saw a small piece she had made for a mutual friend and asked if Jackie could make a panel for their home.

"They live near the canal and love holidaying on the water so I took that theme and actually went to a supplier in Stourbridge to get the materials to keep the whole thing local.They gave me a completely free rein on the design and so they didn't see anything until I delivered the window about a month later.

"Fortunately, they were thrilled with it and apparently get a lot of comments from people visiting the house.

Stourbridge, of course, is a major centre for glass and all the houses in the neighbouring streets are teeming with stained glass panels of every shape, size and colour, so it sits appropriately in the neighbourhood."

With changes in the newspaper industry and two children at two different schools, Jackie found it increasingly difficult to juggle a conventional career with the demands of family life.

"I had to make a decision between a career which I had been dedicated to for the last 16 years or a whole new and much more precarious way of life that would provide me with a whole new challenge," she said. "It was very difficult, but I knew I had to at least try the stained glass business otherwise I would never know whether I could succeed.

"My husband and my children have been incredibly supportive and are backing me all the way."

In March this year, Jackie said goodbye to her colleagues at the Worcester News and took the plunge.

She set up Art of Glass, designing and making windows and independent glass pieces and panels using leading techniques and copper foiling which most people would recognise in Tiffany-style lamps - all of which are orginal designs drawn up and hand made by Jackie.

"I signed up for a small business course and since then I have been developing a business plan and dealing with the nitty gritty side of the world of small businesses as well as trying to spend a proportion of my time actually making glass pieces to sell.

"It's a completely different way of life, but I am determined to make it work and I think that's half the battle if you are self-employed."

Jackie Harris can be contacted at Art of Glass on 01684 566693 or e-mail: pjharris.family@virgin.net