Ideas to save money for my dream tail?

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Hey all,

Am just trying to work out some ideas for how to save money for my dream tail which could be anywhere from 6000 dollars AUD to 7000 dollars AUD including hopefully postage from Mernation.

I am working on general Jewellery right now and plan on working on adding in Mermaid tops and necklaces and hairpieces down the track or sooner toobut need to do testers and trials yet since I haven't made any yet am slowly getting in the materials to try making my own top first and see how it works out and how to get it all together how I want and so it will last for a long time. I do have to talk to someone first though before I can get the etsy store up and going but I figured anything I don't need again for supplies can go into my savings account.

I can't ask people for cash (its not me) And I won't fundraise around my area as there are people worse off than me and I just don't feel right doing it. Plus it would feel amazing to achieve this myself in the next 2 or so years! At least that is the goal

I also plan on budgeting everything I do and putting all extra in savings considering I don't have work cause of my injured and braced ankle which is slowly coming good. I also plan on cutting out buying anything necessary that I would like (books etc) So that all that money can go into my tail fund for my dream silicone tail.

The reason my tail from Mernation is so expensive is cause I am asking for a very detailed and very intricate tail that has stripes spots, large fins a custom fluke etc on it and it is going to be a complex tail to make according to them but they are happy to do it.

Just wondering does anyone else have ideas on how I can save more cash quicker? I do have some things to pay off and MerQuest to go to it to pay off as I am not missing out on that! And I am getting a couple of Nudibranches from Illyena one representing where I am now and the silver tail I am getting the other representing the future and the orange/purple/blue/nude tail I am getting. Otherwise there will just be materials for tops etc to make once I have paid off those costs for MerQuest.

Can anyone help me please?? Or give me some more ideas?? I am on a disability pension and work isn't an option right now as I doubt people would take me with a brace on my ankle am not ruling it out for the future but I just really want to do and achieve this and I am determined too.

This is the pieces I do too have to work out pricings etc yet!

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Thanks a ton!

[Mer-Crazy]

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?8902-%26%239830%3B-How-to-Save-for-a-Mermaid-Tail-%26%239830%3B

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks Selene I am kinda ruled out on the Jobs aspect at least for now with my bung ankle but will do what else I can when I can :) And I already buy second hand :) and I can't sell the things I don't need as what I have is what I need but I do plan on making things to sell on etsy etc just have a few more details to sort out first.

And I have already cut out on purchasing things I don't need. But thanks I can't do most of the stuff there but there are a few things I can do :) Good to know

Guess I could see about stuff to sell that I already have but I honestly don't think there is anything I want to get rid of particulary not my books or craft stuff :)

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Was considering growing some veges and herbs to save some cash buying those items though. Thanks to my mums suggestion. There is the cost of the plants but for the produce it could be worth it to save some cash!!

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Oh and would anyone here be interested in the types of Jewellery above when I start selling stuff on etsy?? I also plan on doing Mermaid stuff just have to pay other stuff off first like my brace and MerQuest Australia trip then get the funds to do that any extra that doesn't go to materials from these will be going into my dream tail fund. Just a pain my dream tail is going to cost so much lol but guess it will be worth it in the end!

And if I did start selling mermaid tops, Necklaces and Hair Pieces (not all will be waterproof) Would people be interested at all?? Plan on making them really good quality as that is a big thing for me! Some earrings and pieces will be 1 off pieces too no more available once one sells!

[Yulia]

The last necklace there is amazing!
You should open an Etsy, I think you would have customers. For tops and accessories, there can never be to many choices!

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks I am working on opening an etsy just making Jewellery etc that last one it takes a lot of time but it is one of my favorite necklaces I love it :) I only use the really good quality beads for that one looks like a fire don't you think?? Also have a few more details to sort out with etsy like postage prices for overseas and packaging etc don't want things to get broken :) And registered post costs so if something happens it has coverage etc!

And good to know with tops etc my first tester is a tropical mermaid top for myself :) Should be good I think shame you can't always get the same seaweeds though :( But I guess that makes each top different and so it is unique to each client!

[Mermaid Galene]

Fabulous beadwork, Silverlilly! I think you would do well on Etsy. BTW, love your screen name!

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks I love my screen name too don't know how it will work with my future orange, nude, blue and purple tail I am aiming for lol but guess I can say my mer parents named me silverlilly when I was young cause I was born with a silver tail no one expected I would grow up into such a beautiful elegant Mer! We all just thought I would be bland with a silver tail but over time my tail and adapted and evolved to the tropical waters I lived in hehe :) At least that was the reason I just thought of lol as I love the name SilverLilly :)

[Mermaid Galene]

Yup, one can always concoct a backstory. I say, go for the name you love! "Silverlilly" rolls off the tongue in a beautiful way.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

That was my thought too hehe and I must admit I kinda pinched my dogs name Lilly lol :P Silver is cause that is what my first material tail will be :)

[Ayla of Duluth]

Tax returns

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks Ayla :) Don't really have any whilst not working but if I get work good idea thanks :)

[Talia]

Silverlilly, I LOVE that fire necklace. So pretty! I can see very well necklaces like that selling well on Etsy. You should consider opening a shop.

Here are a couple of ideas to get some extra cash:
- House sitting - for neighbors going on trips or whatever (picking up mail, watering plants, etc)
- Pet sitting - same as house sitting but with pets (feeding, cleaning litter box...)

It's not much, but I hope it helps :)

Also, I am always interested in new designs for tops, headpieces and mermaid jewelry. It's good to have a lot of options.

[Mer-Crazy]

I'm not particularly interested in the above jewelry because it's not my personal style but I'd be MORE than interested in an Aussie mermaid accessory maker. I believe it's an incredibly difficult market because everyone has their own personal tastes, like for example I like very organic mermaid accessories (i.e something I could see an actual mermaid wearing if they were to be real) so I tend to avoid things that have any kind of modern look to them but I'm interested for sure!

Also sorry for the quick post and dash last night I was just really tired and was about to go to bed but figured I'd drop it there and run without really reading much of either haha.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks all and Mermaid Selene that is fine lol and right now I am working on mermaid tops and accessories for myself as a trial and hope to bring them to the mermaid community when I can get some materials in advance for them to make up samples etc and have to find where I can consistently get materials like say if I need a different size bra for someone etc!

But thanks all never knew the fire one would be so popular and will have to add that in now even though it most likely won't be in those colors :) since that is my special one but have ideas for some other colors though as far as what beads I have :)

Thanks all and will get my etsy page up as soon as I can and I can work out the last few details :)

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Can anyone tell me what they think of this one please?? Just curious as to what people think of it :)

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Thanks just curious as to peoples thoughts!

[Yulia]

It's pretty! You're very talented. I like how it comes to a point in the front. :)

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks Yulia :) Will hopefully have an etsy page up soon and have just started up a Mermaid Page on Facebook too which will soon be in my signature here! Hope to have my Jewellery on a specific facebook page with the same name as my Etsy store when I get it running but also will share the odd thing on my mermaid page particulary any mermaid items or tops I do for sale or that you can order a specific top or custom top from my Etsy page with links too! Just have a few more details to sort out with my Hobby Etsy page and hopefully will have it up and running in the near future to share with you all!

[Mer-Crazy]

Another idea I've thought of, though I'm not sure how much you'll like it; depending on how long you estimate it may take you to save money for your tail. If it's going to take a substantial amount of time maybe consider buying a less expensive tail? I've read your go-fund-me page and I see that all you really want is to bring joy to people and whilst I completely understand wanting nothing but your dream tail maybe you should consider ordering just a basic tail from MerNation? (one of their $1200 tails with maybe the extra paint?) That way you can at least have a silicone tail to a) help you get used to a silicone tail so that you'll be able to learn things for when you get your dream tail and b) you'll have a silicone tail sooner and although it may take longer to get the dream tail you'll still have one to use in the meantime c) you may be able to use it to raise money for your dream tail by doing parties and events. I understand that it may be hard taking from the dream tail fund but the other tail would be able to pay for itself very quickly (like 10-15 parties depending on how much you charge).

Like I said it was just an idea and I completely understand if you don't want to do it, I don't know how long you've been a mermaid but from the money you're looking to spend on a dream tail it's obvious you're very serious about it so it's not like you're going to get this tail and then lose interest. But it was just an idea :)

Side note: when you begin making mermaid accessories I will be more than happy to buy prototypes and give them tones of coverage all over my pages, post reviews and include them in my swim videos when I get my new tail (just a business offer ;))

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks sounds amazing will have to work things out with you when I start that up and just wondering what you mean by if you buy the prototype does that mean you own it? Can you explain that? And depending since I don't want to sell off my designs but maybe we could work out something else to make that work too so you still get the reviews out there etc? Am starting out as a hobby and then seeing how it goes as to if it goes business down the track etc :) Depends on how popular my stuff is :) Have also started up my own Facebook page too :) So have that avenue too :) But yes will see how it goes with time and when I get it all started up!

And yes it is a possibility but no I know that I won't loose interest particularly with the amount I am willing to invest in a tail it is something I really seriously want to do!

And thanks for the idea but I think I would rather wait and put it towards the dream tail will be worth the wait! Plan on putting any profit from things I sell into my tail fund as well as I have plans for cutting back lets just say on expensive food items and living on the basics etc as well as not buying treats etc. Cutting out boost juices and buying books! I am planning to sacrifice a lot to get this tail :)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Prototype means a test item. For example, you made one necklace but you're not sure you want to make more of it. So you sell that one necklace just to see how the market is. That is the prototype.

Can also mean a new design or idea that you are playing with, but you may have drawn out several pictures of it with diff colors and stuff, they are prototypes too.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Ahh thanks Mermaid Jaffa much appreciated! but will also discuss it with mermaid selene when the time comes :)

[MermaidStormy]

I think you have a real talent you should up at etsy store :)

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks Mermaid Stormy that is the plans just got a few more things to sort out and will have it up and running :)

[Mer-Crazy]

Thanks sounds amazing will have to work things out with you when I start that up and just wondering what you mean by if you buy the prototype does that mean you own it? Can you explain that? And depending since I don't want to sell off my designs but maybe we could work out something else to make that work too so you still get the reviews out there etc? Am starting out as a hobby and then seeing how it goes as to if it goes business down the track etc :) Depends on how popular my stuff is.

Well if I pay for the item then I'd expect to own it, that's usually the way things like this work but I wouldn't own the design or anything like that, just the individual product. However if you don't like the idea of my keeping it we could work something out I'm sure. It's like Jaffa said, you make a 'test item' to see how well it hold up with use, get feed back from users etc. It's all stuff you are able to do yourself but it give it a chance to be tested under different circumstances and get valuable feedback.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Yeah I don't mind if you own it I just didn't want you taking ownership of my design when you buy the tester that is all :) As I want to keep ownership of my designs and items. That sounds okay if you just purchase it and keep it. But will discuss more when I have items ready :) Thanks for explaining :) As having a tester outside of myself would be handy!

[Mer-Crazy]

All good :) I'd never ever think of stealing someone's design or anything like that, and I'm not anywhere near crafty enough to make things like that haha.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks hehe and will work something out with you when the time comes then!