Is the art of glass making a dying business? For thousands of years master craftsmen have made beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces of glass items, from decorated figurines to vases, plates and actual drinking vessels. However, as with many of our antiques and collectables the age of machinery has put a huge dent in the world of glass. Many of our glass objects today are mass produced. However there are still people who are trying to keep this artesian art alive.
Daniel Edler, now in his 60’s, is one of these people. When offered an engineering scholarship to the University of Illinois he decided instead to attend the University of Northern Iowa, where he devoted his studies to the arts. He later developed an interest in architectural history which introduced pottery into his life. He began teaching a small pottery class. He was still so intrigued with the art of glass making, that in 1968; he took his pottery students on a trip to a glassblowing studio in Rochester, MN. On his return he set up a studio where he could teach glassblowing as a course on campus.
In a few short years he had developed his skill so well that in 1971 he left teaching and began traveling worldwide as an apprentice in several companies. During this time he was asked by the State of West Virginia to become their resident glassblower. In 1973, he was employed by Fenton Art Glass Company to develop a contemporary glass product line. He soon decided to venture out on his own. He searched out the most central area of the U.S. that had an abundance of natural gas to run his furnaces. He ended up in Cedarville IL and became a one man business, doing all his glass items, running his business and traveling worldwide. He still manages all this today and raised three children with his wife Roberta.
He has always been one of the few recognized true glass artists of our time. His skill of glass blowing is admired and ranked among the most beautiful in our nation. People around the world revere his ability to produce unique and colorful pieces.
The reason for his uniqueness is not only are his pieces hand made but each color he uses is specially made at that time for the particular piece he is making. So no two pieces are alike. He envisions his piece, and then blends certain chemicals with the molten glass to create the specific colors he sees in his mind. His pieces range from table top collectables to pieces that may be as tall as 14 ft. His back ground in architectural art has brought his creations to a new level in the past few years. He is always dreaming up new patterns, designs, and structures to create his new and exciting items.
His glass has been featured three times in the International Design Journal. His works are displayed everywhere from individual homes, to art galleries and museums around the world.
If this article has inspired you to own a piece of history, look at our site and hopefully you will purchase one of his collectables for your own.
