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rock climbing gear

How a Custom Plush Chalk Bag Reignited a Love for Climbing (And Launched My Rock Climbing Brand)

My Rock Climbing Journey1 Comment

Three years ago, I wasn’t planning to start a rock climbing business.

I was trying to bring back a spark.

My husband had slowly lost interest in climbing. The stoke that once pulled him toward the wall had faded. If you’ve ever watched someone drift from something they once loved, you know how quiet that shift can feel.

So for Christmas, I decided not to buy him gear.

I made him something.

I created a custom plush chalk bag based on his favorite South Park character. Not a generic chalk bag. Not something you’d grab off a shelf. A fully functional, handmade plush chalk bag with personality.

When he opened it, he laughed. That kind of laugh that lives somewhere between nostalgia and surprise.

But the best part?

He started climbing again.

He clipped that character to his harness and suddenly climbing felt different. Lighter. Playful. Personal. Other climbers noticed. Conversations started. The chalk bag became a companion on the wall.

That’s when I realized something important:

Climbing gear doesn’t have to be sterile.
It can have personality.
It can carry story.
It can bring someone back.

And that was the beginning.

From Gym Manager to Handmade Climbing Gear Creator

At the time, I was working as a manager at Epic Climbing and Fitness. The gym wasn’t just a workplace. It was community. I knew the members. I belayed them. I celebrated their sends.

When I brought that plush chalk bag into the gym, people noticed immediately.

“Where did you get that?”
“Can you make one of my favorite character?”
“Do you sell custom rock climbing chalk bags?”

My first customers were local climbers from the gym. People who wanted personalized climbing gear that reflected their identity.

Soon I was creating different characters, different sizes, and experimenting with designs that worked for both indoor gym climbing and outdoor sport climbing.

That’s when I opened an Etsy shop.

What started as one Christmas gift turned into a growing handmade rock climbing accessory business.

Over 80 Custom Chalk Bags Sold Worldwide

Since then, I’ve sold over 80 custom plush chalk bags worldwide and locally.

That still humbles me.

Each one is handcrafted. Designed to be both expressive and durable. Built for actual climbing sessions, not just decoration.

My custom chalk bags are designed for:

  • Indoor gym climbers
  • Outdoor sport climbers
  • Boulderers who want unique climbing accessories
  • People searching for personalized gifts for rock climbers

I focus on quality construction, secure closures, proper chalk capacity, and designs that stand out at the crag without sacrificing function.

When someone searches for “custom plush chalk bag for rock climbers” or “unique handmade climbing chalk bag gift,” I want them to find something made by someone who actually understands climbing culture.

Because I lived it.

Why Personalized Rock Climbing Gear Matters

Climbing is personal.

Your first 5.10.
Your first 5.12.
Your first outdoor lead.
The gym that became your second home.

A personalized rock climbing chalk bag becomes part of that journey. It hangs at your waist while you commit to hard moves. It shows up in your climbing photos. It becomes recognizable.

It’s gear with identity.

That’s why custom climbing accessories make meaningful gifts for:

  • Christmas gifts for rock climbers
  • Birthday gifts for climbers
  • Unique bouldering gear
  • Funny climbing accessories for someone who has everything

Climbing is already bold. Your gear can be too.

Expanding Into Rock Climber Lifestyle Products

As my chalk bags gained popularity, I realized something else.

Climbing doesn’t end when you leave the gym.

It follows you home.
Into your rest days.
Into the soreness.
Into the quiet replay of your project in your mind.

That inspired me to expand into rock climber lifestyle products.

Adventure-Inspired Rock Climber Candles

I created climbing-themed candles inspired by that post-session calm. The grounded feeling after pushing yourself on the wall.

These candles are perfect for:

  • Rest day rituals for climbers
  • Climber home decor
  • Thoughtful gifts for outdoor enthusiasts
  • Unique handmade gifts for climbing lovers

They bring climbing energy into everyday spaces.

Motivational Rock Climbing Stickers

I also began designing climbing stickers like “Climb High Stay Grounded.”

Small but meaningful.

Perfect for:

  • Water bottles
  • Helmets
  • Gear bins
  • Journals
  • Cars

Stickers are affordable rock climbing gifts under $20 that allow climbers to carry the culture with them everywhere.

They may be small, but they speak loudly.

From Etsy to EmpressThings.com

Three years ago, I started on Etsy.

Today, I run my own website: EmpressThings.com.

Moving to my own platform allowed me to fully express the brand I’ve built — one rooted in community, creativity, and lived climbing experience.

This isn’t mass-produced climbing gear.

It’s handmade rock climbing accessories created by someone who:

  • Managed a climbing gym
  • Served on a climbing board
  • Climbed with the community
  • Listened to what climbers actually wanted

Every product grew from real conversations in a gym lobby, real chalk-dusted sessions, real experience.

Why I Still Create for Climbers

I didn’t start this to compete with large outdoor brands.

I started it because climbing shaped my life.

It gave me friendships.
It gave me leadership.
It gave me creativity.
It gave me resilience.

When I realized I could design custom rock climbing chalk bags that helped someone reconnect with climbing the way my husband did, I knew I had found something meaningful.

That first plush chalk bag wasn’t just gear.

It was a spark.

Now, whether it’s a handmade chalk bag, an adventure candle, or a climbing sticker, each product carries that same intention:

To add personality to the wall.
To support climbers authentically.
To create something memorable.

If you’re looking for unique rock climbing accessories made by a climber who understands the culture, I invite you to explore EmpressThings.com.

What started as one Christmas gift has grown into a global climbing journey.

And honestly, that feels like a send.

Dealing With Fear When Climbing: Overcoming the Mental Heights
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Dealing With Fear When Climbing: Overcoming the Mental Heights

My Rock Climbing JourneyLeave a comment
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Feeling fear while climbing is entirely natural, and recognizing that you’re not alone in this experience is vital. Many climbers, both amateurs and professionals, have shared stories similar to my own about having a fear of heights before embarking on their climbing journeys. This fear isn’t exclusive to newcomers; even seasoned climbers and renowned professionals deal with it. A while back, while browsing YouTube, I stumbled upon an interview with Roanne Voorst on EpicTV. In this captivating interview, she spoke with well-known rock climbers like Alex Honnold and Hazel Findlay about their experiences with fear in climbing. I was surprised to learn that even climbers as daring as Alex Honnold, who ascends without a rope, wrestle with fear at times. If you’re interested in watching the interview, you can check it on YouTube. Roanne Voorst also wrote a book titled Fear!.

So, who doesn’t experience fear? Fear is a formidable force that transcends climbing and influences various aspects of our lives, including physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual dimensions. It has the power to immobilize us, preventing us from moving forward. Fear can be a paralyzing factor in our lives, which is why addressing it is essential.

If you’re grappling with fear and aren’t sure how to manage it, here are some strategies to help you face and conquer your fears.

1. Pray: For those who are spiritually inclined, prayer can be a powerful tool, especially if you have a strong and childlike faith. Turning to a higher power can provide comfort and strength when confronting fear.

2. Positive Visualization: Visualizing yourself successfully completing the climbing route you’ve chosen is a key to overcoming fear. Envisioning your success helps shift your focus from fear to what you hope to achieve.

3. Speak Positively: Using positive self-talk can help dispel negative thoughts when fear strikes. Speaking uplifting words can boost your confidence and motivate you to take on challenges.

4. Mind Your Perspective: Averting your gaze from the ground, especially when you’re high up on the rocks, can be quite helpful. But if you do catch yourself looking down and start feeling fearful, don’t panic. Instead, try to imagine that you’re in a secure place that is high up, like a tall building or an airplane.

5. Prepare for Physical Symptoms: Fear can manifest through physical symptoms, such as trembling legs, a racing heart, and the sensation of butterflies in your stomach. Understanding and preparing for these symptoms can help you accept fear without giving up. Many phobias are not necessarily about the object or situation itself but are linked to the uncomfortable feelings that accompany anxiety. Exposure therapy can be a valuable technique, as it gradually exposes you to the source of your anxiety—whether it’s a fear of climbing or heights. By confronting your fears, you can work on overcoming anxiety and distress.

Share Your Story:

If you’ve experienced a fear of heights or have successfully conquered it, I encourage you to share your story and tips. Your experiences can be a source of inspiration and guidance for others who are on their own climbing journey.

Remember, fear is a part of the human experience, and while it can be overwhelming, it can also be overcome. Embrace your fear, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone to greater heights in your climbing and in life.