An award-winning NIU glassblower said his good-bye Tuesday to the annual glassblowing demonstration put on by the chemistry department.

Scientific Research Glassblower Daniel Edwards will retire at the end of spring semester, after being part of NIU since 1991.

Glassblowers mold glass together using heat that in the demonstration reached as high as 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Edwards forms shapes out of the melted glass, which, when cooled, produces a piece of artwork unlike any other.

“[Edwards has] produced many different pieces of glassware that has been used in teaching over the years,” said Jon Carnahan, chairman of the chemistry and bio-chemistry departments. “We don’t know if we can replace him. He’s been just wonderful.”

Edwards talked about what he’ll miss most in his retirement.

“I’m going to miss being around all the people at the university,” said Edwards.

Last night’s event included a demonstration on the work Edwards does, as well as a sale of his sculptures to benefit the NIU Chemistry Club.

During the demonstration, Edwards produced a snowman, a bonzai tree and a hummingbird in front of the 130-plus people crammed into Faraday Hall, Room 200.

Edwards enjoys the scientific research part of the glassblowing environment a little more.

“I can build things for the university for about $30 when they would normally have to pay close to $300 for the same piece through a large company,” he said.

Edwards was the 1999 recipient of the Helmut E. Drechsel Achievement Award, given by the American Scientific Glassblowers Society.

“This to me is, out of all the jobs I’ve had as a glassblower, has been the best, hands down,” said Edwards.