A busy morning at Toshi Straps HQ

Now that my new website is finished and live, this week I was able to get back to doing what I enjoy most — making watch straps. Orders have been coming in steadily over the last couple of weeks, so it’s been a chance to relax and enjoy the process again. Each strap takes around an hour to stitch, so you can see that most of the week has been spent in quiet contemplation with needles and thread.

I enjoy what I do, but the stitching is the part of my job that I enjoy the most. It's an opportunity to sit quietly and focus. It's probably the closest I ever get to meditating, and it's a time I have learned to cherish. After weeks of getting frustrated with my website build, this week was indeed a tonic.

This morning started early, finishing the last few straps ready for their weekly journey to the Post Office. It’s the part that needs a clear head — making sure each strap goes to the right address and has the correct buckle fitted. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But believe me, I’ve learned to check, and then check again!

This batch is now on its way to new owners around the world — Australia, the USA, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Estonia and plenty here in the British Isles too. I’m always grateful (and a little astonished) when I think about how far these straps travel.

If you’re expecting one from me, can you spot yours in the pile?