Elfy Chalk Bags
I went home and started thinking of ways to create a climbing-based career. I decided to make myself a chalk bag. Then, I made a second and a third...
My first introduction to climbing was in 2002 at the county fair. As much as I would like to say my climbing journey started when I got to the top of that wall and won a framed picture of Ricky Martin, it did not. Fast forward twenty years, I stumbled into Stone Climbing and got on the wall. I had no clue what I was doing, but I knew right away climbing was going to be a big part of my life.
I went home and started thinking of ways to create a climbing-based career. I decided to make myself a chalk bag. Then, I made a second and a third... and Elfy Chalk Bags was born. My goal was to create one-of-a-kind chalk bags using upcycled textiles.
I was all in and couldn’t wait to start. I watched hours of YouTube videos about sewing to strengthen my limited sewing knowledge. With each bag I made, and after several frustrating mistakes, the quality got better and I finally had the process down. After about five months of troubleshooting, I finally felt confident that I had a solid chalk bag that worked, was made from recycled materials and looked cool. Once I designed a logo, my online shop was up and running. I was heading in the right direction!
I started to make friends with people who encouraged and supported me in both my climbing and my chalk bag business.
Throughout this time, I was also climbing regularly at Stone to challenge myself on their routes. I loved climbing and always felt at home at Stone. I started to make friends with people who encouraged and supported me in both my climbing and my chalk bag business.
Keeping up with Elfy every day would not have been possible without the support and encouragement I received from my Stone family. Stone gave me a place to grow as a climber, as well as a supportive community. I am so stoked and grateful for their support of not only my climbing progress but also my emerging chalk bag company.
— Brooke