LOOKING at Mo McQuillan's beautifully crafted pieces of silver jewellery, it is hard to believe she only turned her hand to jewellery making less than five years ago.

After working as an administrator for 40 years, 18 of them at the University of Glasgow, she took a course in jewellery making as a hobby, and then advanced to a 20-week course in silversmithing at Glasgow School of Art.

That was when she decided to take the plunge and opt for early retirement. Now at the age of 60 Mo has forged a new career for herself with McQuillan Silver and says life has never been better.

"I have met so many wonderful people: customers and crafters," says the Clydebank-based jewellery designer. "I have never been happier. It's fantastic to find out you have a skill you never knew you had."

Every piece of jewellery made by Mo is unique, from earrings and rings to necklaces, cuffs and bracelets.

"I could do the same style in two pieces but they would look different," she says." I would have a different pattern because I use different hammers and that changes the appearance of each piece.

"The style is simple and everyone comments on it. I think it is quite distinct, it is all hammered with a lovely texture."

As well as selling through her Etsy shop, with links from her Facebook page (Mo's Beady Eyes), you can find Mo at craft fairs across the country.

She is a regular at the Wheelchair Woodturners Craft Fair at the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, and will be there next on March 1.

"I do a lot of commissions. Many people come back, once they've bought something. They might buy a pendent then return and ask me to make a bracelet or earrings to match," says Mo.

She uses hallmarked silver and cabochons, shaped and polished semi-precious gemstones.

"When I start I don't know how each piece is going to end up," says Mo." I might think, that looks quite nice, if it works and sells I might do a similar piece but with a different pattern or in another size. The styles change all the time.

"I can get ideas anywhere. Sometimes I might just be walking down the street and see someone wearing a piece of jewellery and I start thinking, 'That looks nice, I could make something like that.'

"Often the simplest of designs can be quite effective."

One of Mo's most loyal customers first came in with a rather unusual request: he wanted her to make a piece of jewellery for his wife from pebbles found on the beach.

" I made a lovely round bracelet in a wave shape with the pebble in it," she remembers. "He has been my best customer ever since then. I have made loads of things for his daughter and his wife."

Visit www.facebook.com/MosBeadyEyes