Recorded May 2, 2022.  Bladesmith Andrew Meers focuses his creative practice on making a variety of knives. Most of his knives are heavily embellished art and are not strictly utilitarian. Conversely, he also sometimes makes batches of kitchen knives. Andrew often incorporates story and narrative themes to his work, especially in his decorative inlay which includes anything from a leaping fox to a bee pollinating a flower. His relationship to his work has changed overtime, and he notes that it seems paradoxical: sometimes freeing, sometimes constraining. He also points out his need for balance when incorporating automated machine systems and wonders where the line is formed around his creative work within those processes; a question many craftspeople grapple with in their own work. To find more of Andew’s work visit his website: https://www.andrewmeersstudio.com/,  Instagram @mr.meers, Facebook: Andrew Meers. Help keep the podcast alive! Visit our Patreon, pick up some Merch, or make a one time donation! Listeners make it all possible. THANK YOU SO MUCH!  Support the show