Mermaid Lotus's Tailmaking Adventure!

[Celaeno]

I love using my food scale for non-food related stuff, makes me feel like a scientist.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I love using my food scale for non-food related stuff, makes me feel like a scientist.

Me, too!! Haha! I think that was the point at which Lunette said, "Oooh! Science!" XD

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Mermaid Lunette was gracious enough to help me out once more! She's my official tailmaking buddy!!
Here's the most recent update in video form at sunset so you can see it move! The entire front side is finished! We're almost there!! ((*^▽^*))b



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POQBPE6W3qg

And here are a few pictures:

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150809_194717_zpsa32tjevx.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150809_194717_zpsa32tjevx.jpg.html)
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150809_194824_zpsundm9oil.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150809_194824_zpsundm9oil.jpg.html)

[Mermaid Lunette]

woooot!!

~maaaagic~

~( ^ 0 ^ )~

[Amydne]

gorgeous tail!!! Love the colors and the leaf scales! <3

[Luna Dreamtide]

Looking great Lotus, those leaf scales are turning out fantastic! Are you planning on do a layer of silicone over the scales to seal the down or doing the half glued down method like FinFolk's?

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Thank you all!!

Mermaid Leina, I'll be sealing them underneath and on top! Mermaid Eve is new to mermaiding so I feel sealing the scales down will make it easier for her to maintain! So it's officially the Pearlie Method! (^▽^)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Update!

We could've finished pinning last night, but I didn't realize how much seafoam and lime green I would need for this pattern! So I'm awaiting my supplies to come in (which should be Wednesday) and then, I'll cure more scales and pour more Shell Shock on the fluke and we'll be back in business! We're so close! I can't wait! (*^.^*)

[Mermaid Lunette]

i can almost taste it! it tastes like

VICTORY.

[Celaeno]

So exciting!!!!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGfjc20ZNto


http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150815_211653_zpssffoy2vq.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150815_211653_zpssffoy2vq.jpg.html)
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150815_211733_zpsaiekv0su.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150815_211733_zpsaiekv0su.jpg.html)
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150815_211821_zps4fkvdp1b.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150815_211821_zps4fkvdp1b.jpg.html)

FINALLY finished pinning!!!!!

I'll be pouring the second layer of Shell Shock tonight, too!!! It's so close!! :'D

[Mermaid Lunette]

aaaaaaaalmost done <3 soo exciting <3

[IllynReaver]

That is going to look really interesting in the water. :)

[TritonsGuard]

It is turning out great. When I heard that there would be blue scales, I was a bit puzzled as to how, but you knew what you were doing. Very well done. The blue scales add to the tail without standing out too much. This is one tail that I am very interested to see how it will look under water.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Another update! This was a very eventful night. My hubby helped me to turn over and support the fluke mold. (It's SUPER heavy)!
I got the monofin and most of the clay out, but I have to get rid of some of the Shell Shock that sank beneath some of the leaf details so that I can get all of the clay out. It's really tough! I also need to get a soft bristle toothbrush and scrub it out tomorrow.
I got some scratches on my hands from some of the edges (It's really sharp!), but it'll be worth all the trouble soon. ^^;

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/20150816_011120_zpspawwpwhr.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/20150816_011120_zpspawwpwhr.jpg.html)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

It is turning out great. When I heard that there would be blue scales, I was a bit puzzled as to how, but you knew what you were doing. Very well done. The blue scales add to the tail without standing out too much. This is one tail that I am very interested to see how it will look under water.

Thank you, TritonsGuard! And I agree with you and IllynReaver! I seriously can't wait to see it underwater!

It's definitely a unique design and to be honest, I didn't know how I was going to put all of the colors Mermaid Eve requested together and make them mesh - especially, without any uniformity in the pattern to tie them together. So I did my best to transition the colors from cool to warm, and that seemed to help! Mermaid Eve sent me a voice recording on FB Messenger of her screaming and thanking me for my work. It was the cutest. If I find a way to share it here with her permission, I will. XD

[TritonsGuard]

Wow! That is really coming along. How long do you think it will take to get all the clay out?

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Wow! That is really coming along. How long do you think it will take to get all the clay out?
I'm sure I'll be Googling some different methods, but I'll be trying Merman Keiris' method first and with that combined with Google, I'm sure I'll get it all out eventually. It just may take a few days of whittling away at it. The hardest part will be cleaning out the detailing. The actual fluke is already almost ready! <3

[TritonsGuard]

You should also request she record her opening the box. This is the first tail you have made, and this is definitely something worth remembering.

[TritonsGuard]

Have you researched things that may brake down clay? Of course, you should be careful that what ever you use does not hurt your mold.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Excited to see this finish! :)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I will most certainly request an unboxing video! I'll definitely record her first swim in it, too! I can't wait to get to that point! <3

I've heard from so many sources that acetone is perfect for separating oil-based clay, and it's really cheap! You can find it in essentially any beauty section (near the acrylic nails and nail polish)! It's used mostly for removing acrylic nails from your fingers. :)

[Mermaid Galene]

What a unique and beautiful tail this is turning out to be! Very mythological looking. Can't wait to see Eve in the finished product!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

It's all looking fantastic!
If you use acetone, be aware that silicone absolutely hates the stuff and it will inhibit it curing! I would definitely recommend using something else! I don't know about the specific clay you are using, but I have had good luck on Pearlie's recommendation with hot soapy water and a nail brush on the monster makers clay I use. That is for a polyester resin mould though, but I would think that it would be fine for shell shock.

[Celaeno]

This is the most unique tail I've ever seen. Mermaid Eve is going to have a one-of-a-kind look. :D

[Adalira]

It looks so beautiful! Love the colors, wow. Stunning!

[Keiris]

WOW Lotus! That texture is amaaaaaaaaazing!!! Love the color transitions! You're soaring through it! Did you use some Mann Ease Release 200 in your mold? It does help release the silicone and the clay.

[Ashe]

Looks like a sea dragon! Wow, high hopes for those leaf scales were far beyond met :D

[Mermaid Alea]

Oh my gosh it is like a sea dragon!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Ahh! I LOVE sea dragons!! Mermaid Eve is going to love all of these lovely comments!! Thank you all very much!
Last night, Lunette and I worked our tail fins off getting the front half of the scales sealed to the fabric and sealed down as well. I'm very happy with how it looks though I'm afraid we may have missed some pins and I may need to then do a bit of digging to rescue them. Haha Lesson learned! :)

To those of you who have worked with clay and Shell Shock, the mold is cleaned out, but there's still a thin layer of clay residue that's stubbornly sticking to the Shell Shock. Lunette and I scrubbed and scrubbed with warm, soapy water, but it won't seem to budge! Any advice, or is that simply inevitable?

[Lotus the Mermaid]

WOW Lotus! That texture is amaaaaaaaaazing!!! Love the color transitions! You're soaring through it! Did you use some Mann Ease Release 200 in your mold? It does help release the silicone and the clay.

I didn't! I had already poured my Shell Shock before I read that everyone uses a mold release. XD I didn't even know there was such a thing. So sadly, I had to do a lot of scrubbing with Lunette. Thankfully, Plastalina is oil-based so it came out fairly easily on its own for the most part!! It's just that last bit of residue that won't seem to come up!

[Keiris]

Oh I know your pain! Even with the mold release I still had clay clinging to some of the fine veining and undercuts. Good ol' toothbrush, a little oil and some elbow grease took it out. Good luck! You're so close!!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Oh I know your pain! Even with the mold release I still had clay clinging to some of the fine veining and undercuts. Good ol' toothbrush, a little oil and some elbow grease took it out. Good luck! You're so close!!

Oil!!! Great idea! Fight fire with fire! Haha! I'll try that! Than you so much, Keiris! Bless you for all of your advice!! (^.^)

[Keiris]

Oil!!! Great idea! Fight fire with fire! Haha! I'll try that! Than you so much, Keiris! Bless you for all of your advice!! (^.^)
Anytime, Lotus! ;) Btw, I just use cheap cooking oil and haul the mold out in the sunlight to warm up with the oil. Makes it easier to clean up too. Use a degreaser first, then your warm soapy water. I also threw in a little bit of bleach in the water to just to make it squeaky clean, then rinsed that out.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I've basically cleaned it out as well as I think I can possibly do, so I'm going to smooth out some of my mistakes in the mold (mostly from tools) using some air dry clay if possible. PLEASE, let me know if that won't respond well to silicone!

Then, should I just pour the silicone and allow the oil left on there as something of a release for the silicone? I've never used Shell Shock, but I assume it's similar to resin. Any advice or suggestions? :)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

After a week of scrubbing and picking the clay out of the mold. This was easily the most labor-intensive part of this entire process. X-x;

Thank God it's done!!!

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/20150822_232223_zpstvumywqj.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/20150822_232223_zpstvumywqj.jpg.html)

[Keiris]

GREAT JOB!! It always feels good to get that mold clean! I actually used monster clay to fix the flubs. Lotus, I would try a tsp of silicone in the mold first to see if the oily residue will allow it to cure just to be safe. I completely cleaned the oil before I used some release.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

GREAT JOB!! It always feels good to get that mold clean! I actually used monster clay to fix the flubs. Lotus, I would try a tsp of silicone in the mold first to see if the oily residue will allow it to cure just to be safe. I completely cleaned the oil before I used some release.

Thank you so much!!! Yes, it does! Haha Ugh, and my back thanks me. I seriously don't pay enough attention to how long I spent leaning over that thing. I tend to lose myself in artsy projects, and this was no exception. I think I spent a good 6-8 hours straight on it yesterday. But it's SO worth it to finally be done!

That's a good idea! You've been such a lifesaver on this project, Keiris, let me tell you! I'm eternally grateful. I think I may even switch out the air dry clay for Plastalina, since that's what I've used so far (ironically, since I just cleaned all of the clay out). It's oil-based, but it's not oily, if that makes sense. First, I'll check and see if they have Monster Maker clay at Hobby Lobby (or another sulfur-free substitute). If not, I'll go with Plastalina and do a small silicone test on that! And if all else fails, I'll just do some trimming and smoothing after the mold itself is cured. Silicone is pretty forgiving in that area, thank God! Haha :)

Thanks again! I'll update soon! <3

[PearlieMae]

Hobby Lobby is not going to have Monster Makers. You should go with the Plastilina, it works great for me! I clean my molds with baby oil, then Dawn.

I thought I mentioned this to you earlier, maybe it was in another thread.

Good work!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Hobby Lobby is not going to have Monster Makers. You should go with the Plastilina, it works great for me! I clean my molds with baby oil, then Dawn.

I thought I mentioned this to you earlier, maybe it was in another thread.

Good work!

Thank you so much, Pearlie!! I'm trying out some silicone on the Plastalina now to test it, and I also went ahead and filled a few of the scales with some leftover silicone that I added a bit of pigment to, just so as not to let it go to waste! I actually poured two tests over two tiny clay bowls I made. One with a bit of baby oil and one with just the clay itself. I'm doing science. Lol <3

I'll let you guys know how it works out!!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Poured the leftover silicone in some of the leaf details!

I also measured the fluke, and it's 26.5 x 41.5, in case anyone was curious. <3 I know it's HUGE! I wanted to make mine in a FinFolk style (also, I really wanted to cover that whole monofin and leave enough room for some flow), but I'll be sure to keep it thin so it won't be too cumbersome~

I'm also willing to modify it later if need be! We'll do some tests and see how it swims before deciding that, though. :)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150824_154050_zpskd07aam9.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150824_154050_zpskd07aam9.jpg.html)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/PSX_20150824_154130_zps1mhamxgj.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/PSX_20150824_154130_zps1mhamxgj.jpg.html)

[Keiris]

Sounds like you have it all under control Lotus!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Sounds like you have it all under control Lotus!

Thanks so much, Keiris!!! I'm trying! (^-^)

So my silicone cure tests turned out great! Turns out silicone can cure over baby oil and/or Plastalina if it so chooses! I think the oil MAY even make it cure a bit faster. I dunno, I'm not scientist. Haha

Thank you all so much again for your helpful tips and suggestions! They've seriously saved my tail on more than one occasion!
Since this was a success, I'll begin pouring more of the fluke itself and I'll update when I've filled this half completely! <3

[MermaidBrandie]

A little late to the party, but I used a power washer to clean out my scale sheet. It was resin though, and I'm not acquainted with shell shock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Thanks, Coyote!! It's never too late! I'll be sure to try that next time! (＾▽＾)

Here it is! The first half of the fluke has officially been poured!
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/20150826_014615_zpszdsossif.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/20150826_014615_zpszdsossif.jpg.html)

[Celaeno]

Eeeeeee! Exciting!!!

[AquaStella]

Swoon-a-licious!! I'm getting tres excited over here.

[OceanWhisper]

Pretty colours ^.^

[Lotus the Mermaid]

We pulled the first half tonight and it was such a blessing. It came out so much better than I thought it would! I absolutely can't wait to pour the other half!

There are imperfections, and I didn't add blue or indigo on the sides yet, because I'm going to paint them on when I pour the leaf scales for the sides. Since they're such strong winter colors, I was afraid of what would happen if they dripped into the greens. x-x;

I'm excited to paint away the imperfections and fill in the places that are thinner! I'm also going to make the transition from yellow to seafoam green more smooth via painting more pigmented silicone on as well.

In the meantime, I'm just celebrating and doing such a happy dance! :dance:

Thanks again to Mermaid Lunette for all the help she brings! <3

And now... Here it is...

The fluke...
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate4%208.27_zpsvkqtyjea.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate4%208.27_zpsvkqtyjea.png.html)

The leaf detailing...
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate3%208.27_zpssj1fjmk9.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate3%208.27_zpssj1fjmk9.png.html)

The fluke itself (or at least this half of it)!
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate2%208.27_zps5rv00cra.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate2%208.27_zps5rv00cra.png.html)

And here's a pic of the fluke against Mermaid Eve's tail body! <3
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate%208.27_zps26lqcxw7.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate%208.27_zps26lqcxw7.png.html)

I can't wait to paint and attach the blues and indigos to really bring it all together! <3

Thank you all so much for your help! I can't wait to post the next update! :yay:

[Celaeno]

It's so cool, seeing it all together like that!

[TritonsGuard]

Truly a unique piece of art. Absolutely gorgeous. Still makes me think of Poison Ivy.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Thank you so much, guys! <3

Second half is poured!! I went faster this time since I started early today!
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/20150828_013153_zpsgcijbehs.jpg (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/20150828_013153_zpsgcijbehs.jpg.html)

[Celaeno]

You're so close to finishing!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Omg, I know! I'm so excited. :dance: ♪♪♪

Honestly, what I'm most excited about is actually being able to clean up my living room after this half has finished curing. XD

[Celaeno]

Hahaha! I bet Mr. Lotus is excited about that, too!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Hahaha! I bet Mr. Lotus is excited about that, too!

XD Oh, yeah. And I'm gonna let him know that's his official title now.

[PearlieMae]

This is so exciting! Congratulations!

[stellar lee]

You're almost done and it is looking beautiful. This tail is going to be lovely in the water.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I pulled the second half and finally got to clean up my living room! XD
I'm really excited to seal them both together over the monofin! Ahh, so close! And I should still have just enough silicone to finish sealing the scales down if I'm really frugal with it! So exciting! Omg! <3

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate5%208.28_zpsenlxjkhw.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate5%208.28_zpsenlxjkhw.png.html)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate6%208.28_zpsi5kefpvk.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate6%208.28_zpsi5kefpvk.png.html)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/XxBasyaxX/MermaidEveTailUpdate7%208.28_zpskpt1zjkr.png (http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/XxBasyaxX/media/MermaidEveTailUpdate7%208.28_zpskpt1zjkr.png.html)

[AquaStella]

These greens... I'm enamored. Beautiful work Lotus!!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[OceanWhisper]

Wooooo! You can do it! It looks fin-tastic by the way :D

[Mermaid Saoirse]

This tail is going to be amazing when it's finished! It's almost like the tail I'm currently working on has a color scheme sibling <3 Different hues of green always look great together.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Sorry for the lack of updates, guys!!

Basically, I'm at the end of my second gallon of silicone (due to a bunch of newb mistakes in the beginning, and having made a fluke that's a little over 3 feet long and close to 2 feet wide).

But that's all right! I'm still trucking. It's just taken me a bit longer to get around to finishing up the last bit. Once I'm finished painting both sides of the fluke, I'm going to weigh them without the monofin and see if the fluke would be light enough without it to safely swim in (judging only by its size, that's not highly likely), and how aesthetically pleasing it would look in the water. The Rapid is bowed, and that makes it a little awkward to attach the fluke to. It's possible, but it would be difficult. I actually just broke down and bought a Hydra for her (or myself if it doesn't fit the fluke shape, even with careful alterations. Thankfully, we're just BARELY the same monofin size so that the purchase will definitely not go to waste) so I'll see how that works out with the fluke shape as it is now.
I'll keep you all posted!

In the meantime, I'll be sure to post pics when I've finished painting the fluke halves! It should be very soon! We are so close!! :yay:

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Sorry for the lack of updates, everyone!

I'm still waiting for the Hydra monofin to come in, and waiting to afford more silicone. Though, I'm still very excited to use up the last of this gallon sealing scales down! The monofin should arrive tomorrow (Wednesday), thank the Lord so I'm super excited to compare it to the fluke and see what we can do with it! Fins crossed that it fits perfectly well! ^.^

[TritonsGuard]

Is the spacing between the pockets the same? I remember from one of your past posts that you needed to watch out for that..

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

Tritonsguard is right. The hydra is wider in the footpocket area with larger clips on the side.

You can warm up the rapid with a hairdryer and put heavy flat things on top of it to take the bow out. Depending on the bow it may need two or three blasts of heat and cooling but it does work.

I want to see the whole thing finished! I love maple leaves, but i might be a bit bias!

[Keiris]

You're skimming right along Lotus!! Those greens are striking!

[Celaeno]

I absolutely cannot wait to see the finished tail! If I'm this excited, I can only imagine how excited you must be to finish it. ;)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions and encouragement! I'm a little nervous, because I've had three mermaids contact me about my name being "Lotus" and the fact that I'm selling tails. If anyone has advice, please let me know. I feel like she's not going to be satisfied unless I change my name, and it's really feeling like harassment. :(

[I edited out the screenshots since I was super nervous and forgot to cut names, so I felt it was inappropriate to leave them. Also, hoping the situation has been resolved completely! Thank you everyone for your responses. :)]

[Lotus the Mermaid]

She just re-introduced herself again, too, to make sure she still gets to keep the name, even after being inactive for so long. :<

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?11818-hi-I-m-Lotus-I-m-back

[Edited out the screenshot because you can see the post in the link.]

[Mermaid Lunette]

you are in different states, your tail making business is known as "covenant cove" like your etsy, she is know on facebook as "lotus sirene the rocky mountain mermaid" or something, and there is no other similarity except you are both mers.

also, Lotus is not a unique word, it is a flower that has existed for a long time so really no one has claim to it?

i hope she leaves you alone.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

you are in different states, your tail making business is known as "covenant cove" like your etsy, she is know on facebook as "lotus sirene the rocky mountain mermaid" or something, and there is no other similarity except you are both mers.

also, Lotus is not a unique word, it is a flower that has existed for a long time so really no one has claim to it?

i hope she leaves you alone.
I hope so, too. I told her several times I have no interest in taking business from her or anything like that. I just told her, "I'm sorry you feel that way." and have ignored her since. She's still messaging me, but I won't respond unless she threatens something, because I'm positive there's nothing she can even do... It's just frustrating. :<

[Mermaid Momo]

Ignore her, because tbh I haven't heard of her at all. Her logo also has a lotus in it? so what! if she's as well known as she says she is then someone shouldn't easily be able to confuse her logo with yours, it's called branding. Also that's like complaining to the girl beside you that you want her to change her name from Jasmine or another popular or common name because you have the same name. this isn't elementary school (and her comment of "it's really not" is really rude, like if you want someone to change their name or do something for you, that is certainly not the way to go about it)

[Mermaid Momo]

If she keeps bothering you, send a very direct and curt message basically saying "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I have no obligation to change my name, especially after your constant messages bordering on harassment. Please stop messaging me, if you continue to do so I will do nothing but ignore you, if my inbox is further flooded, I will block and report for harassment."

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Ignore her, because tbh I haven't heard of her at all. Her logo also has a lotus in it? so what! if she's as well known as she says she is then someone shouldn't easily be able to confuse her logo with yours, it's called branding. Also that's like complaining to the girl beside you that you want her to change her name from Jasmine or another popular or common name because you have the same name. this isn't elementary school (and her comment of "it's really not" is really rude, like if you want someone to change their name or do something for you, that is certainly not the way to go about it)

Thank you! :') I agree. It definitely didn't make me want to change my name. Lol

[Lotus the Mermaid]

If she keeps bothering you, send a very direct and curt message basically saying "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I have no obligation to change my name, especially after your constant messages bordering on harassment. Please stop messaging me, if you continue to do so I will do nothing but ignore you, if my inbox is further flooded, I will block and report for harassment."
That's a good idea. Thank you so much for the advice, Momo. I seriously appreciate it! <3

[Mermaid Wesley]

As far as the forum rules go, you are both allowed to have that name.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

As far as the forum rules go, you are both allowed to have that name.

Thank you! That's what I figured, too.

Hopefully, it's been resolved at this point. I mean, it's been established a few times that I'm not changing my name, so I'm just hoping all three of them let it go, at this point. :(

[Elodea the Mermaid]

Lotus, I am literally dying to see this tail finished and swimming! I can't wait!


Tritonsguard is right. The hydra is wider in the footpocket area with larger clips on the side.

You can warm up the rapid with a hairdryer and put heavy flat things on top of it to take the bow out. Depending on the bow it may need two or three blasts of heat and cooling but it does work.

I want to see the whole thing finished! I love maple leaves, but i might be a bit bias!

Jamie, I have a potentially stupid question, lol. Could a Rapid be un-bowed if it is already embedded in a silicone fluke?

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Thank you, Elodea!! Me either!! That's going to be so exciting! (*^▽^*)

Thanks again, Jamie! It's really comforting to know I have a plan B!!

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

Dont let the others get you down. Its basically like me getting mad cuz you have maple leaves for scales. Why? Because my fluke is a maple leaf? So what? Im a big girl. Im also mature enough to realize that its not that major and not worrh fighting over. Ive heard of her before. I figured this could happen. Its the Internet. People get butthurt all the time. She didnt handle it we and sending Vanessa and Shannon (from this point further referred to as the vultures) was beyond unprofessional. They are miserable people who infect everyone else with it to make themselves feel better.

I mean look at yours and Elodeas sigs. You both have a flower and a mermaid in it. Does that make you the same? Heck no. Mermaid names like flukes, are harder and harder to be created as unique.

as for the fin inside the tail, you can very lightly bend it back by reversing the bend. If the tips point back, position it so the tips point forward. Bending it back in the opposite direction. Go slowly and very little bends. You can trying warming it up with warm water but then the inside is wet while youre trying to bend it. My wave in my mertailer bends all the time. I flip i over and rest it, middle up, tips pushed down otherwise it flaps like butterfly wings.

[Naufra]

This tail is going to be amazing, Lotus! I didn't even know you were making one until the kerfluffle in the other thread, but I'm glad I found this! It's already gorgeous!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Jamie: I really appreciate that! Yeah, I didn't even intend for the scales to be maple leaves until I realized I'm terrible at making resin molds quickly and cheaply, so I needed to buy some ready-made molds instead. Haha! So I ended up just finding those maple leaf candy molds and that sped the process along exponentially! ^-^ Thank you for being so sweet, and I just looked up your tail and adore the paint job you've done on it! It looks so real!! :D

Naufra: Thank you so much! That really means a lot. Also, I love the word "kerfuffle." (That's a really great description of what happened in the other thread). Thanks again. :) <3

I appreciate everyone's support through this little turbulence. I shouldn't have even gotten nervous in the first place, really. But I'm just so thankful it's resolved. My business always has and always will be under the name Covenant Cove on Etsy anyway, so hopefully, that helps to prevent any confusion that may have arisen for anyone involved. :) <3

Love you guys, and here's the update for tonight:

I missed the doorbell when the DHL delivery guy came and tried to drop off the Hydra, so Lunette and I made a little trip down to the closest DHL store where it was being held, and we picked it up and set it under the Rapid. Turns out the sizes are extremely similar! I'm going to really try to take Mermaid Jamie's advice first, and see if I can just get the bow out of the Rapid so I don't have to modify the Hydra at all, since I'd rather just use the monofin that's already altered if it's still possible to do. I'm sitting on it now, actually and giving it some blasts of heat from my hair dryer. Haha ^-^;
We also took the two for a test swim just to get a feel for them, and I really love how the Hydra moves! It's a lot like the Competitor, but smaller, and easier to maneuver with. It's also really pretty, and very thoughtfully designed. (Everything that needs to be adjusted has a ring at the end so you can easily adjust it underwater). It's also really neat that it's translucent. I love it! If it ends up not being necessary for Mermaid Eve's fluke, I'll just use it for my own personal monofin! It's so fun! :)

I'll take a pic of the two monofins next to each other soon for a size comparison so you guys can get a feel for it, and I'll also get a pic of one of the fluke halves on top of the Hydra, so you can see what would need to be modified. (It's surprisingly not much)!

[AquaStella]

How'd the monofin decisions go? I popped in to see if anything new was going on over here in this brilliant thread... Love all the hard work you've put into this project. Inspiring. And I am dying to get some feedback on the Hydra in the water. I haven't tried a Hydra yet, but considering ordering one.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

How'd the monofin decisions go? I popped in to see if anything new was going on over here in this brilliant thread... Love all the hard work you've put into this project. Inspiring. And I am dying to get some feedback on the Hydra in the water. I haven't tried a Hydra yet, but considering ordering one.

Thank you for asking!!

I've put everything on hold for a bit because my husband and I always host a really expensive costume party every year, so tail making money is going toward the party!
(Ｔ▽Ｔ)

The monofin has pretty much been decided! I believe we're successfully getting the bow out of the Rapid, so I get to keep the Hydra. XD (I don't wanna have to alter another monofin if I don't have to)!
I love it so much. Honestly, I greatly prefer it even over the Competitor. It was so thoughtfully designed (with loops at the end of all of the straps for easy underwater adjustment, etc.)! It is the same size as the Rapid, but with the shape of the competitor so it doesn't take a lot of effort to use and is still easy to maneuver with. I highly recommend it!!

Thank you for following my thread and for those sweet comments! I will have updates in the near future!!!

[Mika]

Honestly, I greatly prefer it even over the Competitor. It was so thoughtfully designed (with loops at the end of all of the straps for easy underwater adjustment, etc.)! It is the same size as the Rapid, but with the shape of the competitor so it doesn't take a lot of effort to use and is still easy to maneuver with. I highly recommend it!!

Thank you for following my thread and for those sweet comments! I will have updates in the near future!!!

How do you like the Hydra? is it more flexible? I own the competitor and i love it, except it doesnt really get the same... "floppy" movement under water as I've heard the hydra does. Could you maybe post a video wiggling it around? (in or out of water) as I can't find a video of it ANYWHERE!

Im getting ready to start the same mermaid tail adventure as you, and I'm TERRIFIED!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

How do you like the Hydra? is it more flexible? I own the competitor and i love it, except it doesnt really get the same... "floppy" movement under water as I've heard the hydra does. Could you maybe post a video wiggling it around? (in or out of water) as I can't find a video of it ANYWHERE!

Im getting ready to start the same mermaid tail adventure as you, and I'm TERRIFIED!

I will say it's MUCH more flexible than the Competitor in my personal experience. The Hydra is my favorite monofin I've used yet, and I've tried the Foil, the Rapid, and the Competitor as well!

I sure will! Thank you for the suggestion! I didn't realize it was so scarce, but now that you mention it, there really aren't any videos of the Hydra in action!! I'll be sure to borrow a GoPro for the next time I go for a swim!! (^-^)

I completely understand that feeling!! I just dove straight in because I was so terrified, and it was really keeping me from doing much work on it (because, as you know, it's a HUGE financial commitment). But it'll be so satisfying and worth it, and I know you'll do great! I can't wait to see your tail progress! Is it going to be for you or for someone else? :D

[Celaeno]

I hope you'll post pictures of your Halloween costume to keep us placated while we wait on your tail updates! ;)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I hope you'll post pictures of your Halloween costume to keep us placated while we wait on your tail updates! ;)

That's a fantastic idea, Cel!! I was wondering where to post them! XD
They should be ready by Wednesday or Thursday acording to our photog!!!

[Celaeno]

Yay! I love Halloween pictures, especially since we're not doing anything this year(too exhausted).

[Lotus the Mermaid]

The photos are here!!!
https://concertfotos.smugmug.com/Murder-Myster-15/

[Celaeno]

Looks like a blast! OMG, those costumes are incredible. You have really talented friends.

[Keiris]

Lotus that looks like so much fun!!!

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Celaeno: They really are! I was absolutely blown away! There is always added motivation for everyone to make some pretty amazing costumes each year! We give out a prize for Best Dressed Man and Best Dressed Woman, and Best Actor and Best Actress, in addition to the prize for solving the mystery. It's so much fun! This year, the Best Dressed Man was the Mayor of Halloweentown from Nightmare Before Christmas, and Best Dressed Woman was Maleficent. Best Actor was Beast, and Best Actress was genderbent Scar (played by my sister-in-law; and she made her own costume from scratch)! <3

Keiris: It was a BLAST! I wish you all could have joined! If you ever find yourself in North Texas around the end of October, you're all welcome to join in the fun! :D

[MermaidSaph]

Everyone's costumes were so cool! I would post pics of my costume, but my gmail is being difficult...( I was the cheshire cat)

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Update! Money has been tight, and the holidays are coming up, but my goal is to finish this tail by the end of the year! I'm interviewing for a job tomorrow that should help with silicone funds. Just one more gallon should do it!!! :)

[PearlieMae]

Is this the maple leaf scale tail?

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Yes! ^-^

[PaolaMF]

Thanks to Mermaid Paola, I've been inspired to buy candy molds to make my scales! The resin mold making was always the hardest part for me, and the most frustrating and time-consuming. I still have a couple of months to use the silicone I have! I'm so thankful that I don't have to wait so long to try making a tail!!! I can't wait to start! Updates to come!!! <3

are you talking about me? O is another paola?

[Mermaid Tami]

I'm sure it's in the thread somewhere, but how much is the little octopus?!! I'm in Ohio in the united states, where would you be shipping from?

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