MermaidSchool.ca - An Online Mermaid School

[courtneymermaid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zhm_7Yhexg

MermaidSchool.ca is a reward that I offer through my Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/vancouvermermaid?ty=h) account. Every month I post new classes and add to existing classes. This is an on-going project that will evolve and change with time. I have created this site to give back to the mer-community while helping to fund my mermaid projects and adventures.

If you are interested in checking it out and potentially joining, please visit MermaidSchool.ca (http://www.mermaidschool.ca)!

Note that the features currently available include, the vlog, video response QnA and the mentoring (availability will depend on the tier you choose). New classes will be available each month based on the Class Outlines (http://mermaidschool.weebly.com/class-outlines.html) I have come up with.

Thanks for watching!

[AniaR]

I love it all so much!!!

[SeaGlass Siren]

This is so neat!!!

[courtneymermaid]

Aww thanks you guys! :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Harmony]

That's a great idea. Nice format. :-)

[courtneymermaid]

That's a great idea. Nice format. :-)

Thank you! :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ciriun]

Looks neat! I wish someone had done this before I started failing at tailmaking. :p

[AniaR]

I have to say as a fellow pro mermaid educator I love how you striven to fill the gaps of what isnt covered enough and compliment what's already out there. someone messaged me (and clearly didnt check my page to see Id already praised you and shared your project) to say you were copying and I was like helllllls no! Girl has done her homework. (and really, how can anyone copy knowledge? LOL would I say that to another teacher?!)

Also the website layout rocks for it!

I'm planning on setting up lesson plans for people to utilize and I am glad I have your frame to reference, but I will endeavour to be equally kick ass by being as original as possible ;)

You've put a LOT of hard work into this and it really shows!

[PearlieMae]

Awesome work! Brava! :clap:

[courtneymermaid]

Thank guys! Yeah, I've been working on this site for a really long time now and I am hoping to cover different aspects given my unique skill set as a digital artist. I was afraid people would see what I'm doing as copying given that many of you have far more followers than I do, but I have actually been working on this for almost a year now and beyond that I've been doing tutorials, reference sheets and guides since I started mermaiding professionally in 2011.

I've had some interest so far, but I am hoping I get get more people to contribute as I am rather desperate for a new camera lens, a new cintiq and new ram for my computer along with other items for my mermaid business.

I have three videos up on the site for my Patrons now which involve tutorial videos with notes on the mermaid kick, whale diving, bubble rings and backflips.

Thanks for the support guys! :)

[AniaR]

I think it's awesome. *is a cheer leader* hah

[courtneymermaid]

I think it's awesome. *is a cheer leader* hah

So lucky to have a sea-sister like you Raina! <3

[courtneymermaid]

I'm thinking of doing a giveaway for my lovely patrons ($1+) to celebrate the launch of my new site MermaidSchool.ca. If I did, what would you like to see me give away? I was thinking either jewelry, hair clip, finis Aquarius monofins or a full basic mermaid tail. What do you think?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ciriun]

Tail, definitely tail. Assuming it will be custom sized or at least have a wide range of sizes to choose from. And I have a question about joining. Does it really need my full real name? And if so, do you know who is able to see it? Like can other patrons or people viewing the page see that I have joined? I don't mean to be paranoid, but my full name is really unusual so I try not to use it publicly online.

[courtneymermaid]

Oh yes it would be a custom sized tail for sure! If I'm not mistaken you can abbreviate your name when you sign up. People viewing can see who else is supporting me, but names only, no emails (the emails are for me only to be able to create an account for you on MermaidSchool.ca. Thank you for your comment and interest in what I am up to! :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Vrindavana Starfish]

What a great idea! I'll be joining next paycheck :)

[courtneymermaid]

What a great idea! I'll be joining next paycheck :)

Thank you so much for the support! It means a lot! <3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AniaR]

if you give away a tail I'd make it that people have to donate waaaay more than a 1$ to win :p Maybe have a few tiers!

[UltimateSwimFin.com]

Where in Canada are you based out of?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AniaR]

She's the Vancouver Mermaid :D

[courtneymermaid]

@Raina it would be done when I reach a certain pledge amount total per month. I haven't decided what amount that will be yet. ;) Yes, I am the Vancouver Mermaid. :)

[courtneymermaid]

OK! So I've decided on two giveaways when I reach two milestones (I will probably add more or do more than one when the time comes depending on how things go).

When I reach $100 per month I will randomly select a Patron that I will be giving away a basic mermaid tail to in the colour of their choice made to their measurements.

When I reach $1000 per month (a long ways a way I know) I will randomly select a Patron that I will be giving away a fully painted mermaid tail to in the colour of their choice made to their measurements.

Thoughts?

Like I said, their is a good chance I will do more than one of each giveaway, but I want to play it by ear for now. ;)

[AniaR]

great idea!

[Ciriun]

That sounds awesome! *fingers crossed* And I can't wait to be able to see your vlogs. I'm in the middle of trying to construct a tail and my fin swimming skills still need a lot of work.

[courtneymermaid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqZfOUHSWe0&amp;feature=youtu.be

I've put together a vlog to answer some of the many questions I've been asked recently about Patreon and MermaidSchool.ca. Hopefully this helps clear a few things up and thanks to all those of you showing an interest as well as your support! It means a lot to me!

<3

[Lucinda]

Wow! This is impressive work!



A lot of mermaid schools seem very focused on teaching people how to swim in a tail, but you've really covered your bases here by taking into consideration all those other aspects of mermaiding as well.

[courtneymermaid]

Wow! This is impressive work!



A lot of mermaid schools seem very focused on teaching people how to swim in a tail, but you've really covered your bases here by taking into consideration all those other aspects of mermaiding as well.

Wow what a sweet compliment! Thank you so much! <3

[courtneymermaid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqHno4JFmoo&amp;feature=youtu.be

Here is a quick teaser of the new vlog up on MermaidSchool.ca!

[Ciriun]

Perfect timing! I am trying to get my tail done or close to it by the end of this coming week if I can, so that is super helpful. :thumbs up:

[Princess Anouk]

It looks so awesome! Can't wait to see more!

[Lucinda]

Wow what a sweet compliment! Thank you so much! <3

You're welcome. :) It's clear that you've put a lot of work into this.

[courtneymermaid]

I have new Vlog up on MermaidSchool.ca showing off the first of the three little mermaid tails I have been commissioned for (yes I do make and sell tails, but I am very choosy given how little free time I have and that I do work full time). The video shows off a quick look at the gold/yellow tail I am working on and I have a pink one as well as a purple one in the works.

Don't forget that I will be doing a basic tail (shimmering spandex made to your measurements with fringe on the fluke and sequin/glitter details using the finis aquarius or finis mermaid fin) giveaway as soon as I reach $100 per month (I am at $27.00 right now). There is a good chance I will pick more than one person to win if there is a lot of interest! To be automatically entered to win all you need to do is become a Patron on Patreon (+1$ per month pledge) and your name will be added to the draw!

https://www.patreon.com/vancouvermermaid (https://www.patreon.com/vancouvermermaid?ty=h)

<3

[courtneymermaid]

New video class is up on MermaidSchool.ca! It's the first in a four part series talking about creating a website using Weebly, how to use it, tips and why I love it! http://mermaidschool.weebly.com/

[courtneymermaid]

I got my copy of Rescue Sirens! So I made a Vlog to show it off!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG0aAFt7P1g&amp;feature=youtu.be

[courtneymermaid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9m1_LzqBI0

New Vlog is up on www.MermaidSchool.ca (http://www.MermaidSchool.ca) and here is a super quick preview of what I show/talk about. The full video is just under 15 minutes long and shows me working on the pattern tracing, pinning, basting and cutting process. I also share some tips and tricks. This is not a full class, as I will be doing an actual full class on tail making, but this may still answer some frequently asked tail-making questions regardless. Enjoy!

[Ciriun]

:yay: Thank you Courtney! I'll be sure to watch it after I get home, before I get back to working on my tail. And then I will probably need to bang my head on something sturdy for a bit over all the dumb mistakes I've already made. :P

[Lucinda]

By the way (this is kind of a side-track), what is that song that starts to play after about seven seconds in your first video clip? I've bumped into it before in unrelated video clips, but so far nobody has bothered to name it or the artist. :confused:

[courtneymermaid]

@Lucinda: The tracks I use are available via iMovie. I would need to look to see what the names are specifically, but that's where they are from.

@Ciriun: I hope you are finding it helpful! :)

[Ciriun]

Finally got the chance to watch the purple tail making Vlog, and you make it look so easy! You never once had to wrestle the fabric to get it to lie flat and lined up at the edges.

[Lucinda]

@Lucinda: The tracks I use are available via iMovie.


Sadly, that doesn't help much. It's still like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. :eek: But if you ever happen to be editing video and see its title, just let me know. ;)

[courtneymermaid]

Finally got the chance to watch the purple tail making Vlog, and you make it look so easy! You never once had to wrestle the fabric to get it to lie flat and lined up at the edges.

Aww thanks! Since I've been making mermaid tails for a few years now, I've really gotten the hang of dealing with fabric. Some fabric can still be a bit annoying, but this stuff is pretty dreamy. I love the texture!

[courtneymermaid]

Sadly, that doesn't help much. It's still like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. :eek: But if you ever happen to be editing video and see its title, just let me know. ;)

I didn't realize that you wanted a specific name. My top used music clips in iMovie are Jaracanda (main music) and Sprightly (intro music).

I hope that answers your question!

[Ciriun]

Aww thanks! Since I've been making mermaid tails for a few years now, I've really gotten the hang of dealing with fabric. Some fabric can still be a bit annoying, but this stuff is pretty dreamy. I love the texture!

There is a very good chance I won't ever attempt tailmaking again after how my first one has been going, but in case I ever do, may I ask what fabric you're using? I just got some really stretchy stuff from the swimwear section of Joanne's.

[courtneymermaid]

There is a very good chance I won't ever attempt tailmaking again after how my first one has been going, but in case I ever do, may I ask what fabric you're using? I just got some really stretchy stuff from the swimwear section of Joanne's.

My Starter Tails are made from Spandex, Nylon, or Lycra (or combinations thereof) depending on the choice of colour. My painted tails are made from "Spacer" which is a Poly Spandex blend (and before you cringe please watch my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtadoIHxriU) which works well the way I use it. ;)

[Ciriun]

I don't know why I would cringe, that sounds like perfectly good tail material to me. Maybe mine was just extra difficult because I was working on carpet? I seriously could not get it flat with even ends no matter what I, my roommate, or her cat tried.

[courtneymermaid]

I don't know why I would cringe, that sounds like perfectly good tail material to me. Maybe mine was just extra difficult because I was working on carpet? I seriously could not get it flat with even ends no matter what I, my roommate, or her cat tried.

There are a lot of people who have a lot of negative things to say about the spacer material but I like to remind people that if used correctly it is actually wonderful to work with and makes very beautiful tails! :) Having a hard/flat surface will help for sure! Try using fabric weights (you saw that I used those heavy drink coasters) to keep things from sliding around.

[Lucinda]

I didn't realize that you wanted a specific name. My top used music clips in iMovie are Jaracanda (main music) and Sprightly (intro music).

I hope that answers your question!

Bingo! Found it! :dance:Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[courtneymermaid]

Bingo! Found it! :dance:Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Aww good stuff! You are most welcome! :D

[courtneymermaid]

New content on MermaidSchool.ca! I have just started my Tail Making classes in which I am creating detailed tutorials (right down to needle and thread) of the step by step processes that go into making a painted tail like the one you see in my icon!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kiQv48wvY

[courtneymermaid]

I've made a new video to give a tour of MermaidSchool.ca for those of you who would like to know what this is all about!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2z-v5m10UY&amp;feature=youtu.be

[courtneymermaid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5IMDkY35Ko

Part 3 of my tail making tutorial is now up on MermaidSchool.ca. Each video so far has been between 18 and 30 minutes and in this latest video I cover waistbands! The above video is just the preview, not the full video. All the full videos (completely ad free as well) can be found on MermaidSchool.ca by my patrons (all the info is up there for how to become one).

Thanks so much to those of you already showing your support, it really means the world to me!

Happy swimming!