Log in

View Full Version : Greetings from Ohio!



Bioluminescence
03-27-2015, 03:29 PM
Hello everyone!
I'm very new to mermaiding and am slowly doing my research but I'm very glad to be here and can't wait to get started!
I'm a fairly experienced seamstress so I'm hoping to make my first tail out of fabric, and planning to buy a Fin Fun monofin as they're in my price range and I really like the way they move!
I do have a couple hangups that I'm worried about though...First, I'm utterly terrified of swimming in lakes or other bodies of water with poor visibility. I have my diving certification, but it's been a few years since I've been out on the water. I loved being in the ocean, but when my dad took me diving in some local quarries, I was utterly terrified. I didn't feel safe in the water and had a sick sense of dread because I couldn't see anything and there were weeds everywhere. To this day, even swimming in lakes normally sends me hyperventilating. Do you lovely merpeople have any advice for overcoming this fear? My closest pod seems to be up around Lake Erie, which is somewhat frightening for me. I want to be able to join everyone!
My other worry is that I'm plus size, and even though I'm in the process of losing weight and becoming healthy, I'm still self conscious about my body. I'm making a fabric tail so that I can take it in as I lose weight, but are there any specific styles of tail or top that I can make that will hide my tummy and the little bits of fat on my back in the mean time? Also, I'm guessing that mermaiding is great exercise?
If there are any threads related to these topics already up, feel free to direct me to them so you don't have to rehash everything here :) Thank you to everyone, I can't wait to get started!

Mermaid Ruthie
03-27-2015, 06:07 PM
WELCOME!!!

Skytroque
03-27-2015, 06:30 PM
Another mer from the land of the ice and snow, Ohio! Huzzah! Sadly I can't help with the lakes thing, since I've only swam in pools...that question might be best off in a more general advice thread, I think...though writing from mobile I can't tell you if such already exists. I would say for tops, check out this thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7476-Show-off-your-tops!-%29 Perhaps get some ideas and inspiration there?

Merfin_Aurora_Oceania
03-27-2015, 07:14 PM
Hi and welcome Bioluminescence, a fan of Avatar by any chance?

Welcome and enjoy your stay at Mernetwork.

Bioluminescence
03-28-2015, 10:17 AM
Another mer from the land of the ice and snow, Ohio! Huzzah! Sadly I can't help with the lakes thing, since I've only swam in pools...that question might be best off in a more general advice thread, I think...though writing from mobile I can't tell you if such already exists. I would say for tops, check out this thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?7476-Show-off-your-tops!-%29 Perhaps get some ideas and inspiration there?

Thank you for the link, I'm finding so much inspiration now! I may just stick to pools for now lol nice and clean ;)


Hi and welcome Bioluminescence, a fan of Avatar by any chance?

Welcome and enjoy your stay at Mernetwork.

It's one of my favorite movies! The glowing creatures of the land and sea always turn my head. I had the pleasure of going night-diving once and I've been enamored every since!

AmbrGlows
03-28-2015, 11:16 AM
Welcome Bioluminescence.

I too am a plus sized mermaid with a healthy fear of waters I can't see in. I rarely swim in any body of water that isn't a pool. If I do get in such waters I stay in the shallows or just barely in the water to soak up some sun.

As for your tail FinFun is a great starter monofin. I love mine! I've also made all my tail skins myself. There is a store in my area that sales only stretch materials. So far I've only used spandex but my next tail will be stretch velvet. The thread I use is All Purpose by Coats & Clark...found at most fabric stores.

I hope this helps. You can Private Message me anytime as well.

Incendium
03-28-2015, 12:45 PM
Welcome!! ♥
We're in the same pod. :)

Merman Jamie
03-28-2015, 10:02 PM
Welcome

shimmygoddess
03-29-2015, 11:19 AM
Welcome!

Talia
03-29-2015, 03:30 PM
Welcome to the forum! :mermaid kiss: