i had a Panic Attack and made a Leather Watch Strap 

I never comment on your videos but have been watching for a long time. Your videos always bring me such peace. I dont even do leather work. I dont even remember how I found your videos but I literally watch them to relax. I wish you the peace and calmness you have brought me and infinitely more 🙏🏾❤️ thank you for what you do and wishing you well.

For what it's worth when I got back from Afghanistan I wasn't the same. I was never in combat, but that didn't matter. In total I spent about two years over there. Now ten years later, some pieces still don't fit the same as they used to. But, we still get up in the morning and make it through the next day. I appreciate you talking about this, and showing that we can still make it through and be productive members of society. Any leather project I want to do I look at your videos first for ideas and techniques.

I had a panic breakdown earlier this week as well that I'm still recovering from, thank you for being transparent about your struggles. I got into leatherwork back in 2019 as a means of dealing with PTSD and a sense of worthlessness as I'm disabled in a way that makes it difficult for me to work a "traditional" job. Finding your channel, as well as the wealth of videos that Chuck Dorsett has online was my gateway into leatherwork and has helped to keep me mostly on track as well as earning me a very modest living at seasonal markets selling my handmade leather goods. Thank you for continuing to put out quality content and sharing your passion for the craft with us. Maybe one day I can hang a signed photo of you up next to the one I have of Chuck in my workshop.

In 2020 I experienced my first ever panic attack that finally led me to getting my mental health in order. One of the ways I'd help calm myself down during moments of crisis was watching your no talking videos. Within a couple weeks I started working on my own leather projects and since then leather working has been one of my hobbies that keeps me grounded and sane. Thank you for sharing this story as well as being the amazing channel that you are.

Dang, Eric. Just when I thought I couldn't respect and admire you more you post this video. You're the best, man. Thanks for keeping it real. We're all in this together.

Bro, I suffered a deep depression a few years ago, I was treated and part of my treatment was hadcrafting. I learned how to make notebooks, sew them, the cover and some techniques to make it look like old and what I can say about the handcrafting is that helps a lot. Kudos on this project

Long time viewer of your videos, first comment. Your videos and craftsmanship great. Knowing you struggle from time to time - like many of us do. Adds an additional level of appreciation of what you do. Good on you young man!

I’m glad you are doing better! Your videos have meant a lot to me personally. They have helped me find a way into leather working and that has been incredible for my mental health! I’m glad you are making an effort to help normalize conversations about mental health. I have depression and ADHD and take meds for both. I try to share with people around me to help them understand the “peculiar” way our different brains are wired! Keep up the great work!

Had a panic attack while at work today which is a rare occurrence. What a coincidence that you uploaded it on the same day that I was struggling with some mental health issues. Thank you for making your platform a safe place to talk about REAL issues.

For years I’ve followed your channel and your absolutely right, watch straps are a specialty all on its own. I collect vintage watches and there’s nothing like a hand made strap. My favorite one is the one I made myself. Hopefully you feel better and take the rest you need.

My cousin Jools a music 🎶 writer wrote a tune “Panic Attack “ , before I ever knew what one was… eventually I had one… it’s terrible 😢 … when Covid hit I took up Leather Crafting. As something is very much better then nothing. The satisfaction of creating is huge in feeling better.

I think I'm slowly finding my niche in watch straps. They're enjoyable to make and a nice detail that's easily overlooked- especially in women's fashion where watches are pretty much non-existent.

Thank you for being so courageous in sharing your panic attacks.I think by sharing our stories we start our path to improving our situation if not recovery. Not only can we heal ourselves it provides others an example of how to start their own journey. You are an incredible craftsmen, and a strong human being. You are an inspiration in life and our craft.

13:47 I use old low E string to keep the spring bar hole open. I like it because I keep it like 4-6" long and it allows me to hang it for drying and what not.

I have to have a creative outlet to help deal with my anxiety. Without the help and guidance of your channel, and other makers like you, I wouldn't have found leather craft and fell in love with it. Thank you for helping me find my peace. You aren't alone in the struggle. Stay strong. ✌️

Thanks for the video and for the sharing. We wish you all the peaceful and all the calm.

Thank you for taking the emotional risk to step outside of your anxiety and make an effort to openly discuss and normalize mental illness. I started to write a much longer comment about my own personal feelings towards the cause of open and unashamed discourse about mental illness in order to reduce the stigma, but I could not say it any better than you did in your opening, so I just wanted to say that I thank you and your efforts towards that cause, I respect and relate to your struggles with anxiety, and I greatly appreciate and enjoy your videos and craft.

thank you for being open about your struggles with mental health, in our society it is so difficult to talk about our non-physical problems.

Nice collection of vintage 6309s!!!!!! Love how you just chuck it around

Thank you for sharing this with us

Strap look awesome 👍👍👍👍

I love watching your video dude. You and Little King Good got me into leather crafting.

I hope you feel better soon, take care of yourself. That’s the most important thing!

You're not alone, friend. Thanks for sharing.

seems leather working draws anxious people, and it's a wonderful thing

You're awesome, bro. It's awesome you're willing to share this. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing your personal situation. Creativity, focus on an achievable project can help. For what it’s worth, the tone of your voice and pace of explanation/teaching is always so soothing and calming and makes me feel confident about what I can achieve in my projects.

Thank you for sharing your condition and this beautiful watch strap tutorial :) wish you the best 🙏

Thanks very much for your watch strap tutorials. I've watched all 3 and I think I'll use the middle one to make a strap for the watch my grandmother bought me in 1976 (it still works 😊). Thanks also for being honest about your panic attack, it helps to educate others who haven't had similar issues. 💐

Sending you well wishes my friend. Your videos have been an inspiration to me and have helped in me starting my own leathercraft journey. Not talking about or feeling like you can't talk about not being ok is part of the problem and the ability to be vulnerable of one of our biggest assets as humans. Keep talking, keep smiling and remember the good you have in your life ☮️❤️

I'm a huge fan of your leather work. I've been watching for a few years now. Please take care of yourself as your health is more important. It was very courageous of you to share your story with us. I will pray for you and wish you great health and a speedy recovery.

Eric , my youngest son aged32 has severe panic attacks and cant work because it is debilitating. I too have had problems in the past but haven't, of late. As I continue my life's journey I have found leathercraft and leather work very relaxing and calming. Carry on my friend.

Thank you for sharing, absolutely love your work. I fully get what you are dealing with and I am glad you are still able to share your experience and work. I have started leathercraft to help dealing with depressions, and it was a saviour during the worst of Covid… keep doing what you are doing

My wife and one of my son's deal with panic attacks. I feel for you!! Being on the other side and being patient and helpful and understanding the situation. Your wife is to be commended !!!

This is so poignant! I discovered this channel when I got fired from a warehouse job after a really bad panic attack had me self-harming. Leathercraft has given me an activity that keeps me entirely focused and it’s been incredibly therapeutic. I had no idea you also struggle with anxiety and panic disorder and I’m even more proud than ever to support this channel. Stay strong, dude 👍🙂

stay strong man! you are such a great teacher, your videos are a huge inspiration for learning this craft (and by the way I'm sure that keep doing your art will be the best medication ever). thanks for sharing your personal issue, it means that you are human and that the best thing we can show each others. Best wishes :)

Stay safe, Bud! We love you! thx for videos!

i love your work, I watch your vids all the time. Thanks for what you do, teaching, showing, putting your work out there, and for all the positive vibes and especially the "positive redirection" from what you struggle with into fantastic creativity.

You are a cultivator of creativity in others and an unsung hero in this community. I wish you well and may you find peace and comfort.

I’m having a panic attack as I write this. I decided to watch this strap-making video to relax. Another example of the intersection of craft and mental health. ❤

love your heart bro!🙏🙏

perfect timing... ive been wanting to make a watch band for my victorinox. all parts are in. leather will be here tomorrow. i have have been enjoying my new leather craft venture and have you to thank for the confidence to progress. tyfs

Please take the best care of yourself !!! Representatives of the U.S. culture should honour you for keeping the heritage of REAL craftsmanship alive and educating the world public about it !!! Thank you very much sincerely !!!

Eric! I'm so sorry you had another attack. I left you a bit of advice on you Q&A video, as I too have suffered panic attacks to the point I'm on SSI disability. You are loved!

I appreciate your willingness to share in spite of all that is happening. I learned a lot in learning your process. Thank you!

That's a great way to make a strap. I just want to let you know you are not alone. I have panic attacks also. I commend you for working through it and giving us a video. I learned how to stitch from you and have been following you for a few years. Thanks for all you do

I got heaps out of this thanks so much for your time guys ! The eraser trick is a new one .

Your videos helped me make my first leather wallet today. I got covid, and had trouble with anxiety at the same time, once the symptoms subsided, I purchased your pattern from the website and got to work, the whole process was very enjoyable and made me feel better. Hang in there 👊

We all support you. Thank you for everything you do.

Excellent as usual, your videos and a few other leather craftsman have inspired me to start leather work as a hobby and look forward to the videos ya'll make for RU-vid. Having heart and copd health problems anxiety is a real deal and sometimes you need to keep your mind occupied and this is a great relaxing hobby to do that!!! Thanks for the inspiration... ✌

I’m glad your getting help. I’ve been fighting off a panic attack or crash for two days. It’s no joke. I’ll just sit here watching you make stuff till I feel like making my own stuff again. 👍

As always...a very informative video...nice to watch a craftsman at work...as for everything else...One day at a Time.

You sir are an inspiration. I struggle with bad anxiety and panic attacks and since I've finished highschool I couldnt keep any job for more than a few days, seeing you make such incredible stuff with leather gives me a bit of hope too. I've started learning from your videos for some time, who knows, maybe I have a shot too.

Thanks Man .. Great vid for even a 57 year beginner thick headed old guy ! Thank You Sir ! Hope Your well !👊🏼

Thank you for doing this video after your panic attack. I know it takes for you to have done that. Its awesome your shared that information at that beginning of the video but I think you did awesome... Please take care of yourself (seems like your doing a good job) we need you well to keep doing your guys videos 🥰🥰🥰

Love the idea of a simple strap, great way of getting the strap to have a good fit to the watch. Hope your doing well, be safe and know that life can be hard but it is so worth living. Because each day brings the chance to make your dreams come true.....

Oh, brother! I just went through an episode, I'm being treated as well. Your videos help me pick up leather crafting, my family dad and grandfather used to be shoemakers. Your videos have helped me a great deal to have my mind occupied. It's been a year since this video, I hope you're doing OK. Thank you!

This is by far the best watch strap video I have seen. I'm going to buy the bits and give it a go. Thanks

this video was therapeutic, really nicely done!

Thank you for the video and thank you for sharing. I really needed both.

Interested to see comments here reflecting my own experience with panic attacks and the relief that watching videos like this can bring. I also find watch-repair videos calming, and some well-made nature videos (diving to observe wildlife, etc.) also help me. I had the worst panic attacks ever in my life about two weeks ago, and I think I can empathize well with what you've experienced. Thanks for your supportive attitude!

I’ve just started getting into watches and made my first strap today. Thank you and please make more watch straps!

Good work. I love the beautiful simplicity of those straps. I've been doing leather working on and off for a few years, but I'm nowhere near as experienced or have all the proper tools so my stuff can look a little rough. I also do make leather watch straps, mostly for myself, but I'm a little more ambitious. Where the leather folds over I glue in a small steel tube (actually a cut down rivet) where the spring bar goes so the spring bar doesn't wear too much into the leather whenever I put on or take off the watch. Your technique and tips on skiving the leather is a good one I have never know about. (being the amateur I am) that was a good video, and stay strong.

An honest and talented human being

Thanks for talking about your anxiety disorder so openly. I was diagnosed at 32, but dealt with both an anxiety disorder, and high-functioning autism my whole life. I hadn't experienced any significant anxiety disorder symptoms in over 10 years, but in the last 2 or 3 months the symptoms have been coming back. Hopefully the embarrassing black outside don't come back too. I always told people right before I used to black out that I'll be right back, and DON'T call emergency response. Anyways, hearing you mention your panick attack reminds me I'm not alone, and if I could make the obvious symptoms go away for like 10 years, then I'll get through this return of the symptoms. Thank you.

Ditto on what the other comments are saying, love the content and really hope you can find peace. There is hope: I've not had a panic attack or major depressive episode in 5 years, no meds in the last 4. Sometimes it actually does get better. ❤️

Thanks a lot for this video! This strap looks perfect for a first watch strap - I'll make one!

With ya there man. Keep sloggin through!

hey mate, Your videos have bee a source of calm and comfort for me during the last few months that have been rather chaotic and uncertain. Sending love from Australia

I am in the same situation as you and still suffer each day in varied capacities. Good on you for vocalising it and showing people that everyone has their demons. I love the fact you're doing something that you love and just like many have said, it gives others peace just like it does you. Finally, word to the wise, you will survive, you will be ok. Just breathe it shall pass.

As someone who's also suffered severe panic disorder and GAD for most of my life I appreciate you being open about yours. And your videos are just as effective for me as my lorazepam. 😊

Very nice! I’ve only made one watch strap and it was for myself. I used patent leather over veg tan. I didn’t have any buckles (I was just beginning leather work) so I used a snap. I couldn’t be more pleased and I have a unique strap.

I've got PTSD panic attacks and depression it's just getting worse honestly but theirs this calming in working with your hands

Good timing I'm about to try a watch strap for my health monitor watch. Thank you. Peace, love and prayer always to you. You truly are my favorite leather channel.

I have never personally had a panic attack but my wife has and they are extremely scary. I feel helpless when she has them. I cannot even imagine what it’s like to be the one going through it. Thanks for sharing. Hope you’re doing better. ❤️❤️

Hey brother, you're not alone. I started leatherwork to distract myself from the depression of, my now ex wife, running off with my child on me. I take prescriptions for my anxieties now and it allows me to just push through and get some work done. It helps and I get you man. Always be safe. But you've helped me learn some things and I appreciate you and your videos. You've helped me with pricing and some nicer styles that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to figure out. You're calming and inspirational

I wish you the best. Thank you for your work.

Eric, my first comment was after you shared your personal life in the video and this comment is after watching to the end & not once could I tell you were any different than any other video you have made. GOD has blessed you with the incredible talent of leather crafting, which is as old as mankind itself and your voice is very easy to listen to as well. I’m really glad you’ve had the success you’ve had with selling over a million split rings and all the leather projects you have and wish you more success in the future, but more importantly I wish you the peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you

Right there with you. Thanks for sharing!

Excellent project. Thanks for addressing the whole anxiety thing. Looking at you vets, there's help out there when you're ready.

You make this look so easy. I sew and hope to one day be able attempt something like this 🥰

This needs 1 million views.

This is a very timely video. I'm on my first attempt at making a watch band. Your tips are extremely helpful!

Thank you for sharing. I found leathercraft as a therapy for my own mental health and panic disorder. Well done.

Just wanted to say hi and say that I love your channel. Been following you for a long time. Wish you strength in your struggles with panic attacks. 💚

Thank you for sharing this video and details of your panic attack. I love your videos, which I've learned so much from and have helped me get through my own challenges. Your video today makes me love what you do even more, thank you. Sending warm wishes.

I just love the way you unfold a story behind a craft. And I am really glad it helps you relax and control what ever you face. It also helps me to relax when watching. Thank you for that! I also from time to time create something from leather to try to take my mind off difficulties, such as OCPD and being empath at the same time. So.. its 'feeling' the pain/frustration of a person, but at the same time this presons sadness/pain/frustration fuels my own, same feelings, to the point of aggravated 'overdrive' of my mind. Its like being sad for, and trying to help to someone, but at the same time being 'dissapointed' at their 'failure'/'incompetence'.. its messed up. Hard to focus on controling the situation. So then again, thank you! for your calming videos, even if the holes weren't straight. 🤭 Good luck sir and have a blessed day. 🍀

So I dont normally comment, but I had to, I absolutely love your videos, I have been watching them since a few months now in hopes of someday working with leather and now finally have started with the basics, and I cant tell how satisfying it is, All thanks to you,

I deal with the same way and I made my first lighter holster the other day and it was the most relaxing thing I’ve done in a long time thank you for your patterns and videos

I'm really glad you made a video about this. Failing IS frustrating for me and everybody I guess, but more affordable seen from this point of view, as a necessary process to success. My failures come from having not enough time to do what I like. I do this after my work and I do this for pleasure, but in the same time I want to have results and somehow, to have this result now. The reason for that is because in my daily job, results are good if they come today and even more if it was achieved yesterday so we can go to the next one (Sales job...). Working with leather learns me to enjoy the moment and accept that something is not finish just "right now". A difficult process for me. Still working on it, I'm not there yet. Thank you for this kind of "Zen" thinking. Alain (from Belgium).

Only very strong people can openly talk like you do about your condition. I just hope for me to be able to make great projects lie you have done her with 100% of my capabilities. Wish you a good recovery and thank you for the great videos.

Muchas gracias por tus vídeos, nunca te había comentado, pero en verdad espero que pronto puedas superar ésta mala temporada. Ánimo y saludos desde México. Gracias por todo.

Thanks for the vid as always , keep well mate

I won't lie, I'm just giving this an initial watch because I'm also going through an emotional crisis right now, but I do believe I can keep it under control with my current meds. The fact that you posted this along with all of that intro text really means a lot. It is hard to admit that you are having psychological issues, even more so if you are trying to hold them in and not fully discuss them with anyone else.

Oh man. I got into making my own watches back in 2019, but now you're gonna have me making my own watch straps. There goes my pocket money!

Glad to see you're doing okay.

Mine gussl The new watch is great! I've praised its realism many times. I really recommend checking out their selection.

You make it look so simple, that was an amazing job. Thanks so much for sharing. I actually have an SKX007 and I used to have the Squale 1521 Blue Blasted which I miss a lot. Have a great day sir!

Nice work!

Cool, Thanks I was looking for something like this to replace a grody strap on my favourite watch.