A former engineer and oil contractor swapped black gold for black thread as she graduated with an HND in Textiles.
Theresa Dean from Ellon spent 22 years working in Aberdeen’s oil industry but decided to make a career change at the beginning of the oil downturn in Aberdeen.
Mrs Dean, 52, decided her childhood love of all things textile was the key to her next step in life.
And yesterday she received her certificate at North East Scotland College’s (Nescol) graduation ceremony in Aberdeen.
She told the Press and Journal: “My love of textiles comes from my mother who worked in a textile mill up until she retired.
“I remember as a child the smell and the sounds of the mill working.
“I now get to work in that environment and I’m able to relive those happy memories through my work everyday now.”
Husband Gary Dean added: “She has worked very hard over the past few years in the craft industry.
“Her work has made it on to TV working as part of Debbie Shore’s design team and she has started to take commissions for people.
“At home we have more than 10 sewing machines and at least four spinning machines.”
Mrs Dean added: “I love the hands-on work, getting to imagine something then being able to put it together myself.”
Mrs Dean is currently working at Aberdeen Sewing machines after securing her new qualifications but has ambitions to not only design her own textiles but teach others how to do it.
She added: “I now get paid for doing something I love and plan to go to night school to get some teaching qualifications to enable me to pass my love of textiles onto others.”
More than 300 graduates at the final day of the Nescol graduations were played-in by a piper as proud family and friends looked-on at the Hilton Treetops Hotel.
Principal Liz Mcintyre said: “I love graduation week. It is the highlight of the academic year.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of the students’ success and we can’t wait to join them in celebrating.”
