My LIfe as the "Soap Lady"

Pretty Tags

2026-10-09T14:38:42.736-07:00

I could totally do my own gift tags for the gift boxes, but prefer to get them on Etsy. I like supporting other makers, not to mention it's way quicker! These pretty tags came from a shop in Pakistan, InnovixTreasures. They are generally just for personal use, but she graciously allowed me to use them for the gift boxes. You'll see them begining next week. Arent they sweet?

Spooky!

2026-10-06T14:53:22.938-07:00

More on the fun impression mats I use! This one is for a limited edition soap that's a blend of fresh mint and apples, very Autumn! I love the mats from ElysianAcresSoap If you're a "soaper" too, do yourself a favor!

Pretty Soap Tops

2023-02-08T09:56:00.001-08:00

I usually will use Fondant Mats for my pretty soap tops.

I decided to try something new, a Hand Roller. This one is made of carved wood and came from an Etsy Shop with a nice selection, MKM Pottery Tools. Do check them out!

So after unmolding the soap, I gently rolled the tool across the top of the soap.

Here's the completed soap, I was pretty happy with it. Give it a try!

Valentines day

2023-01-30T13:22:00.001-08:00

I made a small batch of very sweet soaps for Valentines Day this year. It was a fun project.

The mold I used was a silicone column mold. It was a small opening so after standing it up I used a pastry bag and a tip to pipe the soap batter into the mold, tapping it to ensure there were no air bubbles. The next day I carefully unmolded the heart soap and placed it in the next batch, after it was good and thick. Finally I sliced it the day after that, and now we wait for the cure. Its scented in a gorgeous Jasmine and Tahitian Gardenia blend.

Fave supplier

2023-01-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

I have been using Mad Micas for a long time. Of course, I have tried others in the past, which makes me appreciate Mad Micas even more! In addition to their superior, non-morphing colors, they also have a huge selection! And if that's not enough, they are just plain fun! So if you are a soap maker, do check them out!

happy 2023

2023-01-17T15:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Delta Moon Soapworks!

As we step into the New Year, we’re excited to announce some changes that we’ve been working on over the last few months. We’re confident that these changes will help us provide our customers with an even better experience and the highest quality products. First, we’ve changed our schedule. We’ve now got more time to dedicate to making sure everything is in order for our customers. We understand the importance of quick and reliable delivery, and we’re sure that our new schedule will continue to make this possible! We’re also getting ready to launch our new website! Our new website is designed to be easy to use and intuitive, so you can find what you need quickly and conveniently. We’ve also included more information about our products, so you can make the best choice for your skincare needs. Finally, continue to make sure that our products are of the highest quality. We’ve been diligent in creating our soaps and other products with the best natural ingredients, and we’ve put additional quality control processes in place to make sure that our products meet our standards. We’re looking forward to 2023 and all the wonderful things that it will bring! As always, we thank you for your continued support and we hope you’ll stay with us for the exciting changes to come!

Carla

Easter Soap

2021-02-26T07:19:00.001-08:00

This is a little different, it's a bunny soap like the Murray Soap, I used a "soap shaper" to make the soap, here's what it looks like

You can use either end to achieve the desired results. Here it is with the "ears" facing downward.

And at last, the finished product! They will be available this week. Some have a shorter face than others, you can tell they are handmade!

Easter in on April 4th this year. Will be listed in the Etsy shop soon too!

Valentines Day

2021-02-05T16:22:00.000-08:00

I always like to do a little something for Valentines Day. This year, in addition to the two limited Edition Soaps ( Black Cherry Tobacco and Jasmine Honeysuckle ) I made up some soap cupcakes! My first time at piping, there's a learning curve for sure, gives me a whole new respect for folks that do cake decorating!

Here's a batch of Sundance ( Orange/ Tangerine/Grapefruit )

Here's what they look like all packaged up.

These are the plastic cups we used to package the Soap Cupcakes in, they are a special kind of plastic that's recyclable! We try so hard to not use any more plastic than we have to, in fact that's why we changed the packaging on the lip butters and Lotion Bars to Zero waste!

We will have the cupcakes available for you this weekend at the #PinoleFarmersMarket on Saturday as well as the #MartinezFarmersMarket on Sunday. See you then!

Coming soon

2021-01-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

As always, the new kids will be on probation until we see how popular they are ( or not! ) lol. I was thinking that these two new scents will be amazing, since I know you guys love the matching bars.

If you've never tried Loofa bars, let me tell you, they are amazing for your skin, all of them are made with a one inch slice of Loofa embedded into a comfortable to hold bar of Goat Milk Soap, to which we have added skin loving Cocoa Butter!

By the way, loofa ( Loofah, Luffa ) grows on a vine, it's NOT a sea creature! We wouldn't do that!

These have about another week, then you will see them online and at the Pinole, Martinez and Concord Farmers Markets!

Valentines Day

2021-01-22T16:45:00.000-08:00

It's always fun to come up with some new goodies for you guys for Valentines Day, this is what's coming for this year:

Red Clover Tea Soap Cupcake

Sundance Soap Cupcake.

I've discovered piping is fun but there's definitely a learning curve. Makes me respect cake decorators even more!

This soap, Black Cherry Tobacco was suggested by a customer, I think you'll like it.

And last but not least, Jasmine Honeysuckle, with a pretty swirl of color. I was trying to keep the color palette to a vintage fabric, that was the inspiration anyhow!

So everything is curing, waiting for their turn!

2021-01-14T14:16:00.005-08:00

Impression Mats

I love the look of impression mats. they make such a gorgeous top on most of my soap. I just got a new mat the other day and just got to play with it for the first time, what do you think?

This batch is Black Tea and Rose, it will be torture waiting for it to cure!

October 27th, 2019

2019-11-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

I'm still getting questions about that day and my account of it, so here you go...

It was a crazy weather day, huge winds. Some Farmers Markets closed, as well as the Treasure Island Flea. Many places had no power, due to the high winds, PG&E cut off a lot of power in the area. In retrospect, I should have stayed home, winds that high are just not safe.

So, on that day, we had a lot of kids and parents running around, it was the day of the Trick or Trunk for the kids for Halloween. Luckily, it was set up mostly on either end of the market, so there weren't as many kids in the area as in years past. It made it a little extra concerning though.

So at 10:15 that morning, this HUGE wind came and took down this Willow tree that was right next to my tent. The tree was 25 to 30 feet high. ( they have since removed all 3 of the trees flanking the Plaza)

So when it went down, it landed on some folks, I've heard 6 to 9 people were taken away in an ambulance and we were unable to get a follow up to learn how everyone was. There was a 12 year old that had a broken ankle. We were very lucky it wasn't much worse, it could have been. When people heard where the tree was, a rumor started that I had been taken away in an ambulance too!

Here's the thing I have always loved about the Martinez Farmers Market; there is such a strong feeling of community, almost like family. So when the tree fell, of course there was screaming, and there was this HUGE group of people that ran over to help, it didn't even take a heartbeat! They moved the tree off the people, it was amazing!

As for me, I was fine. I have this wonderful old tent, Ted, and he's quite heavy, made of steel. He's kept me safe from the weather for the last 19 years. (I was doing markets about a year before I got him). Anyhow, he kept me from harm that day as well. The tree hit the right rear of the tent when it fell, if you look closely at the picture you can see he's a lowrider in the back, but he was still standing! I'm convinced that had he been one of the newer aluminum tents, I would have been squashed flat like a little tortilla! He needed a leg and 3 support bars replaced, and my friend Michael did that for me. He's also the manager of the Martinez Farmers Market and was able to control some of the pandemonium and made sure to keep the crowd out of the street so the emergency vehicles could get through.
A special thank you to the first responders, the amazing community of Martinez, and Michael for everything they did that day. I will never forget it. there were also a lot of fires going on that day, they were evacuating Crockett and we live in Rodeo so I didn't know if we would be next! What a day!
My beloved Ted now sports a pink top ( he's secure in his masculinity! ) as it matches the banner better.

Hard to see but there's one badly bent leg and you can see some of the broken rods too

Ted rides again!

The purple thing hanging down is the pool noodle I wrap the big banner around when I'm not at market.

I am very happy it wasn't much worse, and that Ted is OK too. I have been having a bit of almost PTSD when the winds come up now, but I'm sure it will pass.

Studio Tour part 2

2019-09-16T11:26:00.001-07:00

So last week you got to see the area that's for curing, restocking and shipping, today I will show you the main studio, known as the Rabbit Hole.

These are the extra curing shelves, my friend that owns the house put them up for me, they were sort of a Bonus Jonas, wasn't expecting them. Beneath that are my wooden molds. On the right are the ones I will use at the holidays, they will ALL be full! The ones on the left are the molds I use on a daily (almost) basis. I don't make soap on Tuesdays, that's when I am at the Concord Farmers Market.

You may have already seen this picture, the workbench made for me, with a cool light over the work area. If you have ever had to work in your own shadow you will apprecitae how awesome this is. The flamingoes are there to keep soap splatters off the wall.

This is the little storage cubby, I use it for special molds etc that I don't use all the time. Excess packaging etc.

This is my amazing hutch, it holds all the essential oils and fragrance oils.

This is wehere the candles live until they go to market. I really love that it stays cool enough to do that.

This is my bank of drawers beneath the work table, everything from gloves to stick blenders. Everything is labeled, can you say anal-retentive?! lol My wonderful work table is over 6 feet long to give you an idea of scale. I have been using this table for over 10 years, it's handmade.

These are the cabinets where the measured out oils stay. I love that these hide the mess!

One of my most favorite things is that it stays so cool, all the time! I used to have to get up at 5 a m when we were in Antioch, the studio got very hot so starting early was the only way it would work. The soap will actually get too hot and overheat, causing a big crack down the middle of the batch. Now I can make soap whenever I want to! I don't have to get up at 5 anymore, but so far, old habits die hard and I still do!

And last but not least, my big 'ole double sink! I haven't had a sink for the last 3 years and it's rather a big deal when you make as much of a mess as I do ( or most soapmakers! ). I used to have to make a couple trips into the kitchen to wash everything in the tiny kitchen sink, this is such a blessing and I appreciate it so much! I even have windows!

Now you know where the magic happens!

Studio Tour Part 1

2019-09-09T16:17:00.002-07:00

So we moved in July, what a crazy month THAT was! Anyhow, it's a much larger house and it comes with a huge basement for me to work in! The studio is actually divided into 2 parts, the former garage is where I do shipping, restocking and curing, I will share that today, and in part 2, I will show the basement, or, where the magic happens!

So, here we go!

The sideboard holds my hard working printer and all the binders full of label masters. You see the lil washi tape carousle too. The drawers have shipping supplies like tissue paper etc. The little pink drawers has all the bubble wrap, already sliced into 3" wide strips to wrap around the soap for online orders.

I have 3 bakers racks, the other one is full of all things lavender, these have come in handy over the years, especially when verticle space is all you have!

My work table where I put the orders together. Up above, to the right is where I have the little kraft envelopes for smaller orders and also a wicker swan that holds the flat rate padded envelopes.

My clock! His eyes and tail move and I couldn't resist Felix!

This was a bread rack in a grocery store once upon a time, it's perfect for my shipping boxes. You see Chica on the top step waiting to go in, and Murray the cat is just supervising. You know they are ready to go in when they sit that close to the door to inside!

The Rabbit hole is the name of my studio, it's a very magical place for me. More on that next week! Thank you for looking!

Celebrate Hercules 4th of July

2019-07-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of vending at the Hercules celebrate 4th of July. I liked that the vendors were so diverse, from chalk kits, to bridal shops to stun devices to soap!
The event was held at a beautiful park called Refugio Valley Park, it was just gorgeous and I have no doubt the folks that live there are pretty proud of it.
The thing that was most cool about the event was the very nature of the event, a way to honor the Veterans (who had a section of seats reserved for them) as well as having the color guard and every piece of patriotic music there was! They had a Run for the Kids and adults and it was really well organized. The most amazing thing was that it was done by a group of volunteers who did it all out of love, no one was paid for the hard

work they put in.
A special thanks goes out to Dee and her husband for all their hard work. Thank you for letting me share along with your community.

Scrub Bars

2019-02-13T07:35:00.001-08:00

So I used to make these all the time, my long time peeps will remember them, the last time I did them was 2009! They are something different! I had a lot of requests to make them again, so here they are!

Each 5 ounce chunky bar has a VERY soft nail brush embedded into it. When you aren't using the soap, it stands on the bristles so doesn't get all soggy, and when the soap is all done ( take a while! ) you can use the brush as a soap dish, then when you need to scrub, it's already soapy!

We make these in silicone molds so they unmold nicely.

These fabulous bars are available in Lavender Mint with Cocoa Butter, Oatmeal, Milk & Honey with Shea Butter and original Orange Java. You will find them at our Farmers Markets and online! Enjoy!

2019-01-09T07:24:00.000-08:00

The next thing...

Those of you that have been customers for a very long time will remember these, they were last made in 2009!

They are a big beefy 5 Oz bar of soap, with a soft brush embedded inside! The soap stands on the brush when not in use, so it stays dry, not sitting in water. They are still in the curing process but will be ready soon!

There will be 3 scents; Orginal Orange Java, Oatmeal, Milk and Honey with Shea Butter and Lavender-Mint with Cocoa Butter. They will be available at all 3 of our Farmers Markets ( Concord, Pinole and Martinez) as well as the website www.deltamoonsoap.com and the Etsy Shop www.deltamoonsoap.etsy.com. Check them out!

2019-01-01T18:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

It must be January, I'm working on a new post! lol

I seriously do love the new year, it's like a new day, it holds out so much promise, so much possibility! I love to set new goals, it makes me so happy to cross them off the list!

So far the only thing I have accomplished is updating my banner for the Etsy shop.

I'm happy with it though, love the colors.

I will be adding soy candles to the Etsy shop and the website and will be bringing back the scrub bars too, for a limited run at least, more on that when I've got them made! The candles are always a huge challenge to keep in stock, so having them online will be an adventure!

Happy new year! May all your goals be attained!

Impression Mat Part 2

2018-01-29T13:56:00.001-08:00

So I am pretty pleased for a first attempt. Pictures below.
What would I do differently next time?
I would use a disposable cup to mix in, I generally am a big one to reuse things, but this was messy! I would also use something that had more of a pronouced design, in other words, this was thin, I would have had a better mat with something that wasn't as fine as this was. Pretty happy though!

This completed mat.

Soap made with a little color, to highlight the impressions.

Soap with no color.

I hope the information provided will inspire you to make your own mat! For further reading, check out www.Auntclara.com, her instructions are fabulous!

DIY Impression Mat for Soap ( part 1 )

2018-01-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

So I have been using impression mats for ages, I usually get the silicone ones made for fondant (cake or candy use) They are gorgeous but not cheap! I love the way the soap picks up all the intricate details, like this. you can also put some colored soap "batter" into the impressions with a spatula for another pretty effect.

I have wanted to try my hand at making my own for ages, but was actually a little intimidated, I mean it's an expensive experiment of you mess it up! I finally got brave and ordered the two part silicone mix from Brambleberry.

You can purchase additional information on how to mix the 2 part silicone from Brambleberry, it's more for doing a 3 dimensional mold rather than a flat impression mat, but I would recommend you get the additional instructions, it helps the (dreaded!) math that you will need to get the solution in the right proportions.
You'll want to use something with some texture for your mat, I used a vinyl table runner and cut it to size, this one came from eBay.

Once you have it all mixed, you'll want to do a nice job taping the lace to the bottom of the mold, if you don't do a good job the silicone will go under and you'll make a mess! Here it is all poured, I used the soap mold as my "box" since that's the exact size it will need to be. By the way, it really doesn't smell bad, I was expecting it to be bad! I also wasn't sure what to expect as far as the texture of the wet silicone, it actually reminded me of marshmallow cream, do they even still make that?

I also used a level, otherwise you'll end up with a mat that's way thicker on one side that the other. We live in a cottage that was built in the late 40's and as with most older places, it has settled with time, so have I for that matter!

After it's made, you'll need to let it cure for 24 hours, then, hold your breath and unmold it! Next installment will be how mine turned out and what I would do differently. Stay tuned!

Market Props

2018-01-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

So I change the apprearance of my table pretty frequently. If you have a Market that you do regularly, you know it's important to have things of different heights and textures for visual interest, These are some of the things I currently have on my table and they are each cool for one reason or other. The silver tray came from a shop in downtown Antioch ( G Street Mercantile ) one of my favorite huntings grounds. The wire Loofa Bar holder came from a lady in Brentwood who was retiring her shop and I snagged that for $5. The wooden things were all made by my husband from repurposed wood, mostly pallets, those are my favorite because they were made with love. (the white square is velcro, I attach the price sign with that ) Do you have a favorite item on your market table?

Clip Boards

2018-01-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

If you guys are as crazy as I am about organizing, I am sure you frequent Pinterest for cool new ideas. I saw this idea there and had to do it! You get inexpensive clip boards, in my case I used the little ones. Cover them with your fave Washi Tape ( it's like Japanese Masking tape with cute designs printed on it. Etsy has a great selction) and voila! I use mine to remember what supplies to order, what soap to make for the week, which candles and which things I need to print for the week, labels etc. So cute!

Happy New Year

2018-01-01T09:22:00.003-08:00

Don't you love the new year? I do, so full of promise and possibility, like a new morning, but

turbo-charged!

I didn't miss last years goal by much, this year I will

CRUSH my goals!

Here's wishing you a happy and healthy New Year, may you achieve all your goals!

Inception of a new product

2017-07-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

When I get inspired to make a new product, the inspiration can come from anywhere, our Ginger Lime soap was inspired by dinner at a local Mexican restaurant! Ginger Lime with Avocado oil!

The shaving bar was actually something that came to me at Market one day, why don't we have a round shaving bar with clay? It's amazing for shaving ( provides "slip/slide" factor ) since we always recommend our Murray or Casablanca soaps ( with pink Kaolin Clay ) for guys

that want a shave bar!

So after the initial idea, research happens, what other things would be beneficial for the skin for a shave bar, so we decided to use Bentonite Clay, that's a great one for a shave bar, we also decided that Chamomile Extract would be great as it's known to soothe irritated skin that can be caused by shaving. We thought a nice bright citrus would be great so scented it with Orange, Tangerine and Grapefruit. Once I had my recipe figured out I went on to designing the label, as you can see above.

So I've made the initial batch, just waiting for it to cure so it can come to Market. I'll also list it on my website when the time comes.

So that's basically the process for a new product!

Podcasts

2017-07-21T10:47:00.001-07:00

So usually when I"m working, I like to listen to music, Pandora actually, and I have a bunch of my own personalized stations that I listen to. However, I just stared listening to Podcasts! Have you discovered them yet?
Podcasts come in all sorts of formats and they are in about any subject you can imagine! Today I was listening to one called "the Moth" which features great stories. I also like to listen to a lot of them on the topic of Handmade Business, my fave being "Dear Handmade Life" which features Delilah and Nicole talking about all kinds of handmade biz info, and they always start off with a drink they've discovered, feels like you're hanging out with your girlfriends!
There are different ways to get to the podcasts, I have an android phone so went to the the Google Play store and looked for Stitcher, downloaded that and then started listening! Give it a go, lots of cool stuff to listen to! Do you have a fave podcast?