Burnt out after 20 years, she walked away from that way of life.

``It was a difficult time,'' she said. ``I was undergoing some huge changes, professionally and personally.''

She had a baby a daughter now 19 and studying veterinary science at university and decided to pursue her creative side. She is now an accomplished artist, making pieces from recycled glass.

Ms McIver said her love of glass stemmed from the technicality of working it.

``It's a medium that does require a lot of technical knowledge especially with the kilns,'' she said.

``I've always loved the form, the shape and the way light shines through it.

``I've just picked up 14 storeys of glass balustrade from Bondi, which otherwise would have gone to landfill.

``When I get the glass, I crush it with a woodsplitter or cut it, depending on what I'm making.

``To take something that is broken and smashed and considered worthless and create something beautiful is a great feeling.''

Ms McIver lives at Forest Glen with her landscape artist husband, Stuart. Their eco-friendly home is built on a dam which has waterlilly pads, ducks, turtles and lizards sunning themselves on bush rock.

There are no curtains or blinds which mean the five acres of bushland can be viewed and enjoyed from every room.

``We just love it here,'' she said.

``It has a very healing atmosphere.''

As well as holding workshops in her studio, McIver is in the midst of creating Christmas pieces including glass stars, angels and trees.