Ed Hyland is a master at his craft.

Demonstrating the art of glassblowing in his Faraday office/workroom, Hyland finishes an intricate glass reindeer in about seven minutes. It looks like it belongs in a gift shop, and indeed, it and other glassblown items will be on sale today in front of the Pow Wow cafeteria.

Hyland, who gave a public demonstration Monday night, has been glassblowing since 1952 and has worked in NIU’s chemistry department for over 20 years.

“It’s creative and it’s enjoyable work. It’s something different,” he said, adding, “There’s no end to it—if they can draw it I can make it.” Among other things, Hyland makes glassblown (and equally intricate) hourglasses, sharks, cattail scenes, “kissy birds”, beaker mugs with NIU decals and wine glasses. Prices range from one to eight dollars and all profits go to the NIU chemistry club.

Hyland began his craft 37 years ago when he took a short course in glassblowing at GI school. “It was enough to get me into a shop—they don’t pay you unless you produce,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been at it for years.”

He worked for E.H. Sargeants, a chemical supply company, before coming to NIU. He makes a variety of chemical apparatuses for the chemistry department and explained them to a visitor. “This is a vacuum manifold,” he said, pointing to a long glass object. Walking through one of Faraday’s many labs, he gestured to diffusion pumps, water extractors and distilling heads, all of which take time and skill to create.

“It’s a day-in and day-out job,” he related, adding, “When I have spare time, that’s when I make the knicknacks.”

Hyland gets inspiration for his knicknacks from many sources. “I just seem to get an idea from something else and elaborate on that,” he explained. “I started out pretty small, but each year it gets bigger and bigger. This year I haven’t had as much time, because some new professors need glassware.”

Though he used to work at home, Hyland said, “I get enough work out of here.” Is his house filled with his work? “There’s enough dust collectors, yes,” he said, smiling.

Hyland’s wife, an avid painter, adds colorful touches to some of his works, including the bright ornaments hanging from his cabinets.

“Some come out a little better than others, and some days it’s hard to make anything,” he said, though that is not the case today. He took out two glass tubes, turned on the flame and twisted and pulled the melting glass until a perfect figure emerged minutes later. “It’s just a matter of time,” he said simply.

Though the flame looks menacing, the craft is not especially dangerous. “There are no hazards involved, except burning yourself,” he said, adding, “And I’ve done that quite often.” Glassware also has its advantages. “It’s transparent, easy to work, relatively cheap and inert (doesn’t react with most chemicals),” he explained.

After he has finished shaping the figures, Hyland cools them and puts them in an oven to ameal. A huge machine with formica chips helps clean the glass and take the strain out of it.

Hyland said glassware skill improves with experience. “It’s like pottery—you can only throw so many pots,” he explained. “It’s just a matter of staying with something long enough to learn it. Most people start out and expect to make something real quick, but it doesn’t work that way.”

For a relatively inexpensive, yet attractive Christmas gift, Hyland’s work will be on sale today until 4:00 p.m. Glass beaker mugs are available throughout the year. For information call the the chemistry department at 753-1181.