My Story – Many times I get asked, so how did you get into this?  Well I will try not to make this too long, but before I got into soap making, I was a Mom to three young boys, a wife, and I worked part-time at RBC.  I loved to garden, (and still do) and this was my way to be creative.  Then I got into herbs, and started to learn about the different ways you could use herbs, both in culinary uses and topical.  I did not have sensitive skin, although my skin was constantly dry, due to using harsh commercial bar soaps.

One day my sister-in-law asked me if I would like to make soap for Christmas presents, and I thought that was a cool idea, so readily agreed.  I loved every part of it, and when I could finally use the soap, that was just icing.  The soap was bubbly, and creamy and my skin felt like it got a luxurious treat. From that day forward, I was hooked, and told my husband that for Christmas I wanted soap making supplies, as I was going to become a soap maker.  Well that was quite a long time ago, around 1996. I still worked part-time and I continued to experiment and make soap, until I had so many bars of soap, I started giving them away to family and eventually sold to some to my co-workers.

In 2001 I formed Mountain Farms Soap.  At first my soaps were pretty plain looking, but the more I learned about making soap, the more I discovered that you could be creative as well, and that’s when I started doing the fancier tops, cupcakes and bakery style soaps.  All of them can be used, even though people quite often say to me ”They are too pretty to use”, but please people, that’s just my way to be creative, and the soaps are definitely useable.  I no longer work at RBC, and devote my time to Mountain Farms Soap.

I still garden, but not the way I used to.  Most of my time is spent in my soap shop, creating soap, because this is what I LOVE to do.  Nothing makes me happier than when people tell me they love my soaps, and even those with sensitivities have told me this.  I have a very supportive husband, who has helped to make this possible for me.

I am now at a stage in my life, where packing up, and setting up for markets, is becoming a lot of work.  More and more people know of Mountain Farms Soap, and have started coming to me, either via my website or coming out to my little soap shop.  So in 2017 I will be reducing the number of markets I participate in.  My soap shop is open by appointment only, so please free to call and arrange an appointment if you would like to purchase product.

I’m also doing a lot more custom work, so if you would like something made especially for you, I’m your girl.  I would love to help you out.  So there you have it.  That’s my story.  I have enjoyed my journey this far and hope to create more unique soap and bath products for you.

Thanks for reading, and I wish you health and happiness in 2017.

~Darlene~