Feather Earring by FawnSpots

This is a beautiful, long feather earring with real turquoise stones and sterling silver earwire. I love this combination of colours, and the little details like the filigree links on the chain. Check out FawnSpots' store here. 

Solh Necklace by AdventurousRabbit

This Solh (peace in Farsi) necklace is versatile and available in a range of colours, including black, green, turquoise, and coral. It is crafted by AdventurousRabbitt, whose diverse range of art and jewelry items shows off her many talents! Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/listing/99171192/solh-necklace-in-turquiose-blue?ref=v1_other_2

I'm back!

I'll post another item feature shortly, but in the meantime I wanted to tell everyone about my recent trip to Red Rock Canyon in Nevada. I was there for 2 weeks with a bunch of friends from Newfoundland. It was a great trip and I learned so much about climbing. Red Rocks has something for every climber, at every level. There is sport climbing, bouldering, trad, and multi-pitch. I am mainly a sport climber, but I tried out some trad climbing on the trip and it was a great experience. It was a whole new challenge. I have never experienced a desert environment before either. It is so hot and dry, you wonder how anything can survive there, but there is amazing wildlife: birds, lizards, snakes, rabbits, even deer. I didn't see any of the more exotic animals like tortoises or wild burros, though! It was a great time and I definitely recommend Red Rocks to anyone interested in taking a trip there.

Climbing and competition

Thomasina Pidgeon recently wrote an insightful essay about climbing and competitiveness, particularly its role in the lives of women climbers. You can read the essay here.

This gave me a lot to think about. Does being better than someone else motivate my climbing? Or is it my own progress that drives me? I sometimes feel that improving at climbing is not happening fast enough for me, and I get frustrated. But then I remember how lucky I am to be able to climb at all, to see beautiful places and meet wonderful people. What motivates you in climbing?

Since I started blogging for the team, I have found so many things I want to buy for myself! Here is the latest one - a lino cut print from Quail Lane Press. Michelle's shop has many designs that will appeal to climbers and non-climbers alike.

You can check out Quail Lane Press at http://www.etsy.com/shop/quaillanepress?ref=seller_info

Leaf-inspired wood earrings by Arboreal

These beautiful earrings are made by Arboreal Jewelry, located in Seattle, WA. I love everything in this shop; I am a big fan of geometric shapes in jewelry. Check out some more beautiful designs at http://www.etsy.com/shop/arborealjewelry?ref=seller_info

Chalk up!

It's springtime and outdoor climbing season is here! Here is a wicked shark chalk bag from allBeta, cause who wants to climb with a boring ol' chalkbag? Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/listing/96781774/great-white-shark-attack-rock-climbing