Etela's First Tail

[Etela]

I have been brainstorming ideas about making a silicon tail for a while now and I think I have a good idea. So now its time to test it!
I have decided to do individual scales because I like the way it looks and in my head it seems easier to do.
This is the scale pattern I'm going with...
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Its a snowflake cookie cutter that I found at a local baking store.
Well latter I plan on sketching out some overall designs and colour plans.

That's all I have right now so wish me luck and I'll post more as everything develops.

[Raayvhen]

Such a unique idea!

[OceanWhisper]

If those work, that'll look beautiful when it's done!!

[Mermaid Enora]

Looks neat!

[Ashe]

Very pretty :) We can work on our tails together haha!

[Etela]

I just put together a temp mold with plaster of paris to run a few scale in latex. That way I can get a sort of feel for what I'm doing and latex is cheaper than silicon. Granted I know I am still going to have to do a ton of test scales once I make my final molds and get my silicon.

[merkitty]

Ouuu! That scale shape is quite nice and very unique. Good luck with the testing!

[Etela]

I just got done with the mold!
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It came out better than I could have hoped!

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Unique.
Like a snowflake.

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[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Very unique, I'm excited to see how this turns out!
Just remember, if you use the mould for latex, you can't use it for silicone.

[Etela]

So I just finished my sketch! I'm still trying to figure out what fluke shape I want I keep jumping between something that looks like Merbella's Angler fluke or something more traditionally fish like. I would love some input on the fluke!
Well here is my sketch...
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its hard to see but the underbelly is white/light pink then it fades into a darker pink before going to the greens.

Thank you so much Kate I didn't know about the latex thing you just saved me from a ton of aggravation.

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

No worries! It's good to get small scale practice before pouring your fluke, silicone is so picky! Be careful what pigments you use with it too, do lots of tests!

[Etela]

I plan on using peal ex powders since it seems like most people have had pretty good luck with it. But yeah there is a lot of testing in my future.

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Pearl ex are pretty safe, I'm using those in my tail too. Good luck!!

[Etela]

Oh my goodness! I just looked at your Thread. Your scales are so lovely and good luck to you to I cant wait to see more on your tail!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Thank you! Feel free to ask any questions you have :)

[Etela]

I'm about to go to the craft store to get some more clay and resin! It looks like I'm in for another night of mould making.

[Etela]

So I have been playing around some more with scale shape and adding detail. Inlaying the detail wasn't working to well nor was building it up.
So I tried stacking the shapes like this...
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And I fell in love!

Also I am still having issues figuring out my fluke and deciding if I want something more natrle fish looking or not. Ideas anyone?

[Etela]

I made my tape body double with the help from a really good friend of mine.
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I looked crazy and trying to hop to another room almost ended with me face planting into my hard wood floor but it was fun an it brings me one step closer to making my tail.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Awesome!


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[Etela]

I just ordered my monofin! It will be at my house tomorrow!!! I'm so excited this means I get to practice swimming with it soon!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Yay! Its going to be sooo much fun!

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Which monofin did you get?

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[PaolaMF]

very original !!!

[Etela]

So I got the Finis Wave monofin and I love it! I have had it for a few days and I have used it twice now. I have a small pool in my back yard and I cant wait to use it in a bigger pool.

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

I wanna swim with you!

(Which would sound extra creepy if we were not friends in real life)

[Etela]

lol it really would but I want to swim with you too!

[Mermaid Enora]

Me three!!

[Etela]

I Just started sculpting my fluke!
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And Enora you Aysun and I need to go swimming once we all have our tails!

[Etela]

After about 5 hours of work.
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and the tiny drawing is what it will look like.

[Etela]

I've now lost track of the amount of time I've put in.
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I still have a lot to do...

[Merman Lir]

that is one cool fluke!

[Mermaid Wesley]

wow!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

This is amazing so far!!! I really can't wait to see this one! Goodness gracious. ��

[Etela]

Thank you so much for the support you guys its a big help! My fluke sculpt is driving me crazy because I want it to be perfect. Again thank you!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Looks gorgeous! Fantastic job!

[Etela]

DONE!!!! Finally I am done with my fluke sculpt!
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[Ashe]

Oh my gosh, its beautiful! I really like those little circlets, and the minuscule veining looks really sharp. What inspired you to do this fluke?

[Etela]

I kind of mashed together some of the flukes that I liked and sketched it out. This is what I came up with. the little circles are to match the spots that will be on the back of my tail.

[Ashe]

Fantastic! And you made sure that it was completely symmetrical on both sides, yeah? With all the little spikey bits I assume it would be hard matching them up

[Etela]

Its as close as I am going to get it.

[Etela]

So my fluke is currently being molded!!!

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Yays!

[Etela]

So it still has to be cleaned out but my Fluke mold is finished!
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[Mermaid Clara]

DONE!!!! Finally I am done with my fluke sculpt!
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*GASP* you are so good at sculpting! Your fluke is beautiful, I can't wait to watch this tail come alive![emoji4]


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[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

It is heavy?
I want to poke it.

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[Etela]

Its pretty heavy and you can poke it when you get back to Texas.

[Etela]

So my fluke mold cracked but it's a clean crack and it shouldn't bother it any thank goodness. Also I should be ordering my silicone and pigment before the month is out!

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Was it shaking in fear of David?

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[Etela]

No the table bowed do to the wight of the mold.

[Etela]

I ordered my silicone today! And I should be getting my pigments before the end of the week!!! I am so close now!

[OceanWhisper]

That fluke sculpt came out brilliantly! I can't wait to see more progress ^.^

[Luna Dreamtide]

Haven't seen this yet. But your sculpt and mould look great :) excited to see it in silicone.

[Etela]

I should have some test scales up by tonight! *fingers crossed*

[Ashe]

Exciting! Good luck :)

[Etela]

I got my scale sheet done and I have my dirty pull curing right now. So tomorrow I will be starting on my real scales.

[Etela]

So my test scales were a fail. I poured them wrong so no big deal.
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Tomorrow I plan to make a new scale sheet. One that is easier to work with and is made out of something stronger than plaster.

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Just in case David has not said or you didn't know, they also don't pull perfectly slick and shiney.

You will put a gloss coat on the top of each of them too.

The shape is so nice.

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[Etela]

Scales take two!

[PaolaMF]

The fluke is fintastic !!!

[Etela]

Thanks!

[MermaidBrandie]

On the off chance that its not too late: to help keep the tail from bulking up awkwardly I would cut the clay scales in half and thin them out (I had that issue with my tests)

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[Etela]

I have to remake my mould so it's no to late. Do you mean make them thiner or literally cut them in half?

[Mermaid Wesley]

She means thinner. About half as thick or less I would say


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[Mermaid Wesley]

It's hard to tell how thick they are, but you want em thin.


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[Etela]

Alright they are pretty thin but I will try to get them thinner.

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Updaaaaaate

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[Etela]

Alright so I lied its take three on my scales.
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This is the new look for them. I will be making the mold with the help of a friend out of ultra-cal this Sunday and getting my fluke mold home that same day. On Monday I will start pouring my scales and my goal is to have the tail FINished by January so wish me luck guys!

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

Is the friend Creepy Gypsy? [emoji14]

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[Etela]

Vary creepy.

[Etela]

I just realized that I never posted my recolored sketch of my tail so he it is in full.
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the colors will be more blended on the real thing but that's hopefully what it will look like. Also there will be a light pink scar on my fluke from where the mould cracked. I am just going to mix some pink silicon and pour it in there first then trim it down when I pull the fluke out. I think it will add a bit of character to my mermaid.

[Azurin Luna]

Oh! Interesting scales, I love the shape of them. Good luck on your tailmaking journey :D

[OceanRose]

Beautiful colours! Maybe it's a good thing you had to redo the scales because they look really nice :-)

[Etela]

Thanks and I am a lot happier with the new scales.

[Adalira]

those scales look awesome and very interesting! Can't wait to see the progress on your tail, i love the colors of your sketch as well!

[Dancing Fish]

What a cool fluke! And I love your color combination.

[Etela]

After a set back thanks to my severe insomnia. I should be making my scale sheet today and finally getting my fluke mold home and out of my friends garage.

[Luna Dreamtide]

Hope you'll be doing better soon and be able to work on your tail. :)

[Etela]

Yay more set backs! In the long run it will be better because my scale sheet will be bigger and there for I can run more at one time. So right now I am waiting till December when I'll have more money so I can buy the supplies I need to make my scale sheet and the black pigment I need to start pouring my fluke.
* deep breath *
I can do this!

[Ophelia Finn]

I just realized that I never posted my recolored sketch of my tail so he it is in full.
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the colors will be more blended on the real thing but that's hopefully what it will look like. Also there will be a light pink scar on my fluke from where the mould cracked. I am just going to mix some pink silicon and pour it in there first then trim it down when I pull the fluke out. I think it will add a bit of character to my mermaid.
These are beautiful colours. I love the fact that you're turning the crack into a scar, it adds a new level of realism and individuality! A close call with an over eager fisherman perhaps ;)

[Rogue Siren]

Those scales could make an amazing ice tail! They look like snowflakes. (Currently working on an Ice Queen inspired top, so that's where my mind is. Lol)

[Etela]

I am using snowflake cookie cutters for them so I'm glad that they do read as snowflakes. My character is from the Baltic Sea so I wanted to some how symbolize the cold winters of Scandinavia with out doing a white or blue tail.

[Etela]

I live!
So I have bought shell shock and will be making my molds tomorrow with the help of the lovely Aysun.

[Luna Dreamtide]

I live!
So I have bought shell shock and will be making my molds tomorrow with the help of the lovely Aysun.
Yay! Good luck to you!

[Etela]

So I really need a pasta machine so I can get my scales thin enough. Dose anyone know where to get one?

[Luna Dreamtide]

They should be easy to find at any store that sells kitchen stuff. I'm in Australia so I couldn't give you an exact store sorry :)
Edit: it would seem they sell them at Targets in the US too. Hope that helps :)

[Etela]

Thank you so much that helps a ton!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Make sure to get a good quality one under a good brand. Don't get those cheapo no name ones, or brand you have not heard of. Them ones don't last very long and sometimes break on first use.