The day at OTZI starts early, earlier for some than for others. If you have ever wondered what goes into creating premium, handmade furniture or a bespoke leather basket, it all begins at the crack of dawn in our workshop.
The Rhythm of the Wood Workshop
Martin, one of our woodworkers, is always first through the door of the wood workshop, arriving at the crack of dawn. He prefers to start while the rest of the city is still waking up, often so he can finish a little earlier and head out for personal errands, or, if the weather is kind, to go fishing. By the time the rest of us are switching on the kettle, he’s already well into shaping timber frames or components for upcoming pieces.
His radio is inevitably blaring so loud you can hear it across the estate ; thankfully, everyone in the wood workshop is already wearing ear defenders. Before long, he’s joined by Sam, another woodworker who completed his Furniture Making apprenticeship working with us. Sam’s honing his skills under Martin’s guidance, and the two of them work side by side in the steady rhythm of planing and sanding, bringing our handmade furniture designs to life.
The Focus of the Leather Workshop
Next door, the leather workshop has a quieter atmosphere. Reggae or soul plays in the background and the air is thick with that unmistakable leather smell. It is a space dedicated to precision, whether we are crafting large statement pieces or a detailed leather basket.
The team operates with a quiet, focused energy.
Marlon quietly mutters along to the music, while Lewis sometimes immerses himself in Stephen King audiobooks. For reasons none of us fully understand, Otis often chooses to listen to podcasts about people’s near-death experiences with wild animals.
Collaboration and Innovation: Handmade in the UK
Everyone gets straight to work when they arrive. After a quick health and safety check and maybe a coffee, the team focuses on whatever’s on the schedule. Because everything we produce is proudly handmade in the UK, there’s always more than one project in progress and close cooperation is essential. You will see timber frames taking shape while leather panels are being stitched and prototypes assembled, with tools and advice passing easily between hands.
When Otis arrives, he checks in with the team before diving into a new idea like a sketch he’s been mulling over, a piece of joinery to test, or a specific detail in a leather basket or accessory that’s been bothering him. His workbench is never without a scattering of intriguing materials, trial cuts, and half-formed concepts.
Organised Chaos and British Craftsmanship
When I finally arrive, bedraggled from the school run, the workshops are already in full swing. The sound of tools, the low murmur of conversation, and the occasional burst of laughter carry through the building. I settle into my desk to deal with emails, orders, and admin before checking in with the team about materials, progress, or anything that needs my attention.
The workshops themselves are full to the brim. Stacks of timber, rolls of leather, prototypes, catalogues, and eccentric objects all jostle for space. Every surface tells a story. Some items are actively in production, while others are remnants of experiments that didn’t make the final cut. It’s organised chaos, bound together by teamwork and mutual respect.
By the end of the day, pieces have moved from individual parts to completed assemblies, leather has been stitched and burnished, and the shelves hold new work ready for finishing or delivery. As the machines shut down, the smells of wood and leather linger, a quiet reminder that everything we make here is the result of many hands, many hours, and a shared commitment to authentic UK craft.