Ashton Makes Stuff

[Ashton]

If you follow me on Tumblr you know that I love with the opulence of the Rococo and Baroque era. (Think Marie Antoinette)
So I have been playing with the idea of a Rococo Mermaid.
I have drawn up a what I think is a cool concept of what I want to do. I have yet to decide on colors and if I want side fins.
Like my other tails, I will be making out of silicone.


~~Feel free to add any cool inspirational images that you find that makes you think of the era~~

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[Calizaire]

This is such a nifty concept! The Anchor headpiece reminds me of Marie Antoinette's famous ship hat http://thumbs.modthesims2.com/img/5/4/6/3/4/3/MTS_lidiqnata-1271976-3199493711_99915c4342.jpg.
I see so many cool interpretations of it out there!
Alexia Sinclair https://alexiasinclair.com/assets/1511/portfolio
http://kingdomofstyle.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c2f0953ef0134804b926f970c-popup
http://zoopmedia.com/principessavenice/product/unicorn-airlines-creme-pirate-ship-headpiece/#

[Ashton]

Yes I love ship hair/hats!
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[Ashton]

Here is a sketch and color concept of my next tail :D
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[Dancing Fish]

That is totally adorable! Love the little anchor in her hair!

[MermaidBrandie]

If you make this you should do and underwater shoot with a cool dressy top like what you drew!


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[Ashton]

That's a great idea, I just wonder how the hair would stay

[MermaidBrandie]

Just make the anchor a really strong clip, do the hair loosely, secure it with a pony tail and put the clip on for show, or something similar.


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[Keiris]

Love the illustration Ashton!

[Mizuko]

I LOVE Rococo & 18th century fashions! :pearl: :D i cannot wait to see this!

[Ashton]

I love watching prop making videos on YouTube to see if I can learn any new techniques and one of the guys I subscribed to posted this and I thought it would be perfect for filling a body dummy. Rather than using pillows (Like I am doing now) I was thinking maybe I could find this foam stuff at HomeDepo and maybe it would work.
I just thought I would share:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JJYFSCpj9s

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

I know that guuuuuuy.
So odd seeing someone you know pop up on a forum [emoji14]

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[Ashton]

I know that guuuuuuy.
So odd seeing someone you know pop up on a forum [emoji14]

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That's so cool!

[Aysun_the_Mermaid]

I told him that one of his videos showed up on a mermaid forum and he was like, "wait. A... mermaid forum?"
Then I explained why and he thought it was cool.

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[Ashton]

I told him that one of his videos showed up on a mermaid forum and he was like, "wait. A... mermaid forum?"
Then I explained why and he thought it was cool.

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Haha! I am sure it would be a shock to anyone to hear their monster prop stuff ended up on a mermaid forum.

That is really cool that you know him though! I love his videos [emoji3]
-small world heh [emoji39]


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[Merman Lir]

I love watching prop making videos on YouTube to see if I can learn any new techniques and one of the guys I subscribed to posted this and I thought it would be perfect for filling a body dummy. Rather than using pillows (Like I am doing now) I was thinking maybe I could find this foam stuff at HomeDepo and maybe it would work.
I just thought I would share:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JJYFSCpj9s

foam will work, just be aware if you've never used the stuff: It expands A LOT, if there is any gap in your tape dummy, foam will get out. it's sticky as hell and very hard to clean up... so fill your dummy outside!

[mersheep]

I had some left over foam from a project, So I sprayed it into one of my latex puppet molds. It swelled up like a balloon. Then I could not get it out. Stuck hard and merged into the latex. destroyed the mold.
I put some into a silicone mold. It did release, but there were gaps and voids. I would not recommend using the off the shelf foams, unless in a hard backed mold.



BTW: I too love mid 18th century design. I have a number of outfits I made in that style. Just realized I can link to an image on my website. Now you know what I looked like 20 years ago. The picture is 3D if you have the right viewer.


http://www.delectra.com/jporter/july495.jpg


Must be one of the oldest photographs on the web, Had not realized my website was that old. Note, that as the copyright owner, I grant merNetwork, limited use to include links to this image and in quotations.

[Ashton]

Sorry for the lack of updates; I am almost done with grad school so I am focused on that. But I am working on my tail in what free time I have.
Here is a teaser for now, more updates to come ;-)

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/07/c2b066731ad5d4b62dc4a940bd48132f.jpg


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[Ashe]

Heheh, was just learning about Rococo and Baroque in Historical Ethics today. Those scales are absolutely gorgeous! The gold specks look so nice with the blue and white. What made you decide to go for an organic approach to the scales? I like how the many different sizes look :)

[Dancing Fish]

Pretty! :)

[Ashton]

Progress:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/12/5039abd33da522451fb847d788b2c899.jpg

Disregard the pins and the fact that it looks like a tan baby diaper. I have more scales I just haven't put them all on my body double.

I wanted to make a silicone accent piece. But I'm not sure it will go with this design. Maybe on a shell or scale top. I don't know yet.


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[Luna Dreamtide]

I love the softness of the colours. Looks really pretty!

[saborigakusei]

Oh my god, this is going to be incredible!!! Can't wait for more updates!

[Etela]

This tail is going to be SO pretty! Also it's funny I work at Dark Hour so I know Allen Hopps as well!

[Adalira]

Wow, that looks so beautiful! Wow!

[Mermaid Miranda]

Rococo is one of my favorite periods for fashion! This looks super awesome so far. I look forward to seeing more. I really like the organic look of the scales.

[Ashton]

This tail hasn't died, it still exists. slowly, just got the clay for the fluke the other day and then sliced my hand, so no sculpting for a bit....
In the mean time I have been making a bunch of scales to but on my new body double.

I have also been working on a top. I have about 20 big abalone shells that I have collected over the years and now I am going to do something with them other than just have them sit there gathering dust.

My local craft store had a bunch of fake plants in the clearance section so I got them all (and they even let me use a coupon) for super cheap! Base painted an old bra dark greens and then adhered the fake plants on.
Some of the fake plants I glued pearl beads too as well to give it more of that mystical mermaid idea. (photos to come)

I have been using my dremel to grind down the abalone shells to give them a better appearance. (Wearing a mask and safety goggles of course). I have been having problems with this one in particular dremel (8100 series), I have sent it back to the manufacturers a few times because it just stops for no reason- it is fully charged and ready to go... except it does not go..

So that happened again and I just mailed it out to them... I feel like I should just buy a new one, but their company's policies are so good they will fix it- I just hate being out of my tools when I want to work on projects.

(photos to come when I get home)

[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/27/0d65625664a6c57827816e90d688f7fd.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/27/1929b2af939a06b54bff52d48140b16e.jpg


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[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/28/5c32e1fac6d3f2a50218d590f4e2122b.jpg

I bought the most heavily beaded ugliest vest for 25¢ at a garage sale.

I figured I could use my seam ripper and get all those pearls and make all sorts of accessories!


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[Imogen Finnly]

Haha! That's a pretty snazzy vest! Lol
Leave it to my odd taste in clothes LOL

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[Ashton]

Haha! That's a pretty snazzy vest! Lol
Leave it to my odd taste in clothes LOL

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It is amazing how much bead work is in this vest... I almost feel bad for ripping it all out... but then again, it was never going to get used anyway.

[Imogen Finnly]

At least it's being used for a higher purpose!

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[Ashton]

I get the feeling a beaded vest can only hope for a higher purpose.... lol

[Mermaid Clarity]

Gorgeous. (can I totally steal your idea for the top with the baroque scroll?!)

[Ashton]

I realized I haven't updated in a while. I will when I get home <3

[MermaidRaegan]

You're off to such a beautiful start!! I adore the concept, rococo is one of my favorite stages of art history. I can't wait to see more of your progress.

[Ashton]

Here are some things I am working on
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/11/4d1a596179d93133a30271191017e9d0.jpg
Mermaid mirror and brush


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[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/11/c2bea42643b3885bc03bf8c1b510a9d9.jpg

Fun rainbow lapel pin!


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[SeaGlass Siren]

Oh my gosh those are beautiful •o•

[Calizaire]

These are fantastic! Can't wait to see more!

[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/11/3e90c2b34a52610da1431af06168813f.jpg
New hair clip to match the gold mirror and brush


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[Ashton]

I am working on a few at the moment, one unpolished 'national' abalone top, one coral top, and one polished red abalone top


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[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/12/0da4d4479b78d8662b12c4646f83c315.jpg
'Natural' abalone top.
(Just about done)



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[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/12/aa7366c7812c7937db9d8b4c4e2735c3.jpg
Coral top (in progress)


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[Ashton]

I just ordered more silicone, on the form I am about at or past the hips (I will take photos when I get home).

[Mermaid Clarity]

Seriously, if those Rococo pieces go missing, you may have to check my house first. They're so pretty!!!!!


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[Ashton]

Seriously, if those Rococo pieces go missing, you may have to check my house first. They're so pretty!!!!!

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Haha, I can just make you your own! And they could be in whatever color you want; for some reason I am all about gold right now.

[Mermaid Clarity]

Lol, well you've seen the color palette my tail's using. They might match perfectly. I'm ALL about dat baroque scroll piece though.

[SeaGlass Siren]

:hyperventilating:

[Ashton]

I plan on using the scroll work on a silicone scale top, but since I am out of silicone I am working on other nic-nacs until it comes.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

*drools*

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

Awaiting your update of more scales on the form! It's looking beautiful!

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[Mermaid Julianne]

Ooh I love the coral top. Its a beautiful shade of orange. All of the accessories are gorgeous!

[Mermaid Marius]

Still fixated on the brush and mirror.:swoon: Gimme gimme gimme!

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

I love that I actually was thinking about that type of work on my fluke because it'd go so well with my scales!

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[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

That top is gonna be beautiful!

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[Mermaid Marius]

The top is so regal. Would you consider inlaying pearls or some sort of sparkly wonder to them?

[Ashton]

The top is so regal. Would you consider inlaying pearls or some sort of sparkly wonder to them?
I would def. love to add pearls to them!

[Ashton]

I have 2 more sketches to show you all (4 total) but tap talk is being dumb. Ill restart my phone maybe that will help.

[Ashton]

Why is TapTalk not making all my images the same!? I click the small size for each one.... Ughhh.

Edit: I had to take the images down because tapTalk is dumb, now that I am home I will repost them <3

[Ashton]

Ok let's try this again:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/14/bd640dcd9cff9f92436bbb853ae493c5.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/14/9b15bbd2ba78ff7bb79cb8b81daee6a5.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/14/9cb87eb4c1ea4b2ce4de8d0bbe45ce1f.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/14/78f64d132679c76269f80f64b18a8e5b.jpg


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[Sabrina the Selkie]

The shinies. *-* I'm dazed.

[Ashton]

I am excited to start sculpting them <3

[Mermaid Clarity]

*grabby hands*


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[Ashton]

today I am working on props for tomorrow's mermaid meet up!
I am finishing up detailing my trident, but I want to eventually take it apart and cast it in resin so that it looks better and more finished.

[Mermaid Wesley]

You just reminded me I have to glue a shell back on my shell top. It looks like I have one boob hanging out rn.


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[Ashton]

oh no, we dont need a shell-less mermaid <3

[Ashton]

Silicone arrives today!!!
I am almost done sculpting the filigree work, I ordered stuff to cast that with as well. When it gets here I should be ready to go, I am just doing last bits of smoothing and whatnot. The shapes look really similar to my sketches, just bigger.

[Ashton]

My unpolished abalone top was completed for last weekends mermaid even, and it was a total hit! As I told my mer-friends, I have a bunch of them since I use to dive for them and have been collecting them forever, And in allll sizes (big boobies - small boobies sizes) I will post some photos when I get home and get finished color correcting them... I am anal when it comes to color correcting. I have some polished abalone I will be making into a top as well. But if anyone is interested in a fairly decent priced abalone top let me know <3

[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

My unpolished abalone top was completed for last weekends mermaid even, and it was a total hit! As I told my mer-friends, I have a bunch of them since I use to dive for them and have been collecting them forever, And in allll sizes (big boobies - small boobies sizes) I will post some photos when I get home and get finished color correcting them... I am anal when it comes to color correcting. I have some polished abalone I will be making into a top as well. But if anyone is interested in a fairly decent priced abalone top let me know <3
Are they comfy?

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[Ashton]

surprisingly yes, I didn't think that they would be. One of the funnest parts is knocking on them because- as you know, shells are hard and boobies are soft. And I am so not used to having 'hard boobies'. So it was like wearing fun boob armor!

[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

Omg how much would you be selling them for?

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[Ashton]

Hint at what's coming sooooooon!
I have a problem with abalone shells...http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/24/b9bcf0e34da15a2605d7769ae024fc0a.jpg
Shells for ALL the boobie sizes!


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[Ashton]

I was thinking maybe $90 for natural abalone and $115 for polished. Does that sound fair?


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[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

I was thinking maybe $90 for natural abalone and $115 for polished. Does that sound fair?


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Sounds good! What does it include?

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[Luna Dreamtide]

Not seeing that as a problem! :D so pretty!

[Ashton]

It would include a bra base, attached abalone shells and foliage backstrap and some accent pearls.


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[Ashton]

What hip-happening:
Lots of scales molded and needs to be trimmed.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/25/fa1ed0fe9f7b25ed9cba41afa3f8439b.jpg

And even though you can't see them I just primed and just pored the scroll work!

More surprises in the morning when I demold [emoji4]


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[MermaidRaegan]

You have such a gorgeous color scheme going :3 you're going to look like a French mermaid princess.

[Ashton]

There is this fountain near my house and I want to do a photo-shoot IN it... I have seen swim teams do it... so why cant a mermaid!?

[Ashton]

This fountain: Malaga Cove fountain
http://mernetwork.com/index/attachment.php?attachmentid=35374&stc=1

[Adalira]

Your colors are awesome! Can;t wait to see the finished result in that fountain!

[Ashton]

Haha, thanks!

[Ashton]

Demolding the filigree!


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[Ashton]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/26/cbebdd83e76981f5927d6df7a1c526f3.jpg


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[Mermaid Clarity]

Take me with you!!!!!!!!!! I mean, to the fountain.


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[Ashton]

Take me with you!!!!!!!!!! I mean, to the fountain.


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Ok!


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[Ashton]

I need to clean the mold up but here we gooooo!
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/26/841dc331700bf529069918abdf3d26e6.jpg


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[Mermaid Julianne]

Oh wow! You havent even poured yet and you can already see how pretty its gonna be

[Seraphina Suds]

Great detail! It looks almost like a fancy cake decorating mold xD

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[Ashton]

@ Jaulianne: Thank you! I thought the same, I am so glad the mold picked up the details.

I still have 1 more to demold, but my hands hurt from cleaning out the first super detailed 3.

[Luna Dreamtide]

Those look great. I can't wait to see the pieces from it. Do you plan on adding these detail pieces to the actual tail as well, or only the top?

[Ashton]

I am not sure as of yet if I want to add accent pieces to the tail itself or just use it as a top. It would be cool to do kind of a blended waist and a "belt" like form with the scroll work.

[Luna Dreamtide]

I am not sure as of yet if I want to add accent pieces to the tail itself or just use it as a top. It would be cool to do kind of a blended waist and a "belt" like form with the scroll work.
That's what I was thinking yes. A scrollwork belt would be really pretty I think... Perhaps around the ankle of the tail too, like above the fluke? Just ideas... :)

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

Looooove it! I might need something like that on my tail! It'd go well with my scales!

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[SeaGlass Siren]

AHH OH MY GOD THAT MOULD.... <3

[Mermaid Clarity]

I am not sure as of yet if I want to add accent pieces to the tail itself or just use it as a top. It would be cool to do kind of a blended waist and a "belt" like form with the scroll work.

That's precisely what I doodled yesterday


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[Ashton]

Well if anyone is interested, I would love to do some test design stuff for some Belts and Bras and other things. The pricing would be at cost of the silicone and pigments. PM me if interested. I am thinking maybe having about 5 or so test slots before I start offering them to the public.

I plan on poring into the molds either today or tomorrow I have to post a photo of the bigger mold since I have yet to do that. I am getting finished with cleaning it out. The molds are super cool and the details were very well captured!

[Ashton]

Dusted the mold and now poring! http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/27/f393255bfa33a6dbd9ec88a04b3830d4.jpg
You can really see the detail much better after I dusted it with a pearl pigment.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/27/2642fa6abcd114931f9f76c6f2eab4b4.jpg

test run go!
I want to make it look like there is a jewel embedded in the middle one; that is why it is not full.


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[Luna Dreamtide]

Ooh those are so pretty! I love the pearly swirly silicone!

[Ashton]

Thank you, I am so excited to de-mold them and make stuff with them!

[Ashton]

The big one is still being cleaned but here is what turned out to be!
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/27/38aa1e80e44260cc8ecab5ef3cbd3bc1.jpg


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[Ashton]

I think I took the photo of it upside down. But I'll post another photo once I cast it!


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[Calizaire]

So fun watching your progress on this project!

[Kait]

Wow these are so gorgeous, can't wait to see :D

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Wow!

[Ashton]

Thank you everyone! I cant wait to de-mold them and show them off!

[Ashton]

I love Dragonskin 10 Fast!
Here is the scroll work!
35419

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Nice!

[Seraphina Suds]

So pretty!!

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[Luna Dreamtide]

Those are so pretty!! Awesome job!

[Ashton]

Thanks, I have really been working hard on them and I am so happy with how great they came out!

[Kait]

They came out great! Lovely detail :)


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[Ashton]

Thank you

[PearlieMae]

Nice! Did you sculpt those yourself?

[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

Gorgeous!

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[Ashton]

@ pearlie- Yes, I used a lot of inspiration off of historical wood frames. It is what I have been doing late at night since I haven't been able to sleep since my Grandmother (dads side) is dying in the hospital. Sculpting and playing with clay calms my mind and in a way distracts me and makes me focus on something else rather than the bad things that are happening... I try and channel my energy into creating something beautiful when I am at my lowest... It is weird that heavy emotions ignite such a creative flame, it happens with my painting too.

[Adalira]

Wow, those look awesome!

[Mermaid Julianne]

God, they came out breathtaking! Amazing job on the sculpting!

[Ashton]

Placed the big one on a swim top today. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160131/acb60e8236fb9282db10a94769f38a85.jpg


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[Luna Dreamtide]

So pretty!! I love the colour too. Beautiful work....

[Mermaid Marius]

Get that thing. On my boobs. Now.
This is seriously so stunning.

[Mermaid Julianne]

^^^ Totally agreeing with Marius here. (Btw, fantasic mermaid name!)

[Ashton]

Totally doable! I want to do some prototypes for ppl, I need to figure out the best amount of silicone for each piece.

[Adalira]

Wow, that looks so awesome!

[Luna Dreamtide]

Totally doable! I want to do some prototypes for ppl, I need to figure out the best amount of silicone for each piece.
Ooh pick me!! They look gorgeous!

[Mermaid Marius]

^^^ Totally agreeing with Marius here. (Btw, fantasic mermaid name!)
Thank you so much!
And seriously, put me on the prototype mailing list. I'm in love.

[Ashton]

PM me if you are interested. I need to work out some details/prices for the parts.

[Mermaid_Sarina]

Ashton these are amazing! I love your colour scheme! <3

[PearlieMae]

How's your grandmother?

[Ashton]

How's your grandmother?

She just got moved from the ICU and into a different part of the hospital. But do to her injuries she might not be around for long. And she has been in and out of the hospital for the past year... so much so that my grandpa is on first name basis with the ambulance drivers....
But I'd prefer to not talk about what is going on via the internet.

[Spindrift]

That top you're making looks so cool!!!

[PearlieMae]

She just got moved from the ICU and into a different part of the hospital. But do to her injuries she might not be around for long. And she has been in and out of the hospital for the past year... so much so that my grandpa is on first name basis with the ambulance drivers....
But I'd prefer to not talk about what is going on via the internet.

I understand. I hope everything works out well for you and yours. :hug:

[Ashton]

I understand. I hope everything works out well for you and yours. :hug:
Thank you <3 :hug:

[Ashton]

Tonight I trip all my scales, and maybe take them to work and trim them there as well.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

:cheerleader:

[Ashton]

update: finally stooped being lazy an trimmed about 500-ish scales.
and started placing then as well.

[Ashton]

I have been getting the most adorable mermaid birthday cards! I have to share them !!http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160208/9fa5550b04f34e080b9c065410eaf68d.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160208/b0a4f54c31da09f68a47080ef3771420.jpg


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[Sabrina the Selkie]

A friend of mine gave me the top one!

[Ashton]

I have never found any mermaid birthday cards before (or really any sort of mermaid themed card) so it really is fun to get some.

[Mermaid Marius]

The sand castle one is so intricate!

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[Ashton]

I know right! these are for sure going on my wall

[Mermaid Aika]

Happy Birthday!
(oh, and I can't wait to see more progress on this prettiness!)

[PearlieMae]

Happy birthday!

[MermaidSandie]

Ahhh Happy Birthday!!!
Also, how have I not seen this thread before? Oh my GAWD all of this is so gorgeous!! <3

[MermaidRaegan]

Happy birthday! Those are some awesome cards; also, that scroll work is amazing. Your sculpts are so smooth and flowy.

[Ashton]

thank you everyone for the birthday wishes <3

[Ashton]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/8d8e8b74713d61ce704982214a0ce6e6.jpg
Color testing


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[Mermaid Julianne]

Ooh how pretty!

[Ashton]

I have also decided to try and mix my own gold pigment... Because God forbid I ever do anything the easy way. I ended up really loving the results. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/1d2932de9c58aca6eb3fe04d4b1c3ab2.jpg




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[Ashton]

I am really into gold tones right now...
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/9eb5305250cb8cc2b004e27dcddb78b7.jpg

Which in a way is fitting for the full concept of this tail.


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[Keiris]

Ashton, that gold you came up with is gorgeous! What a beautiful sculpt!

[Mermaid Julianne]

I have also decided to try and mix my own gold pigment... Because God forbid I ever do anything the easy way. I ended up really loving the results. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/1d2932de9c58aca6eb3fe04d4b1c3ab2.jpg




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I love the results too. The color is gorgeous!

[Ashton]

thank you, I wanted a gold that looked very warm and reminded me of the old frames around that time. 35631 35632

[MermaidRaegan]

Considering the architecture of the Rococo period, you are going pretty easy on the glitz and gold lol That is a lovely color. Are the scrolls only going on your top, or did you decide to do a belt as well?

[Ashton]

I have defiantly thought about belts, But I worry that it would look TOO busy with the individual scales.

[Mermaid Coralia]

I love your ideas! Do you have any abalone shells that would fit say... a DD chest? Pretty hard to come by :/

[Ashton]

I love your ideas! Do you have any abalone shells that would fit say... a DD chest? Pretty hard to come by :/

Yes, I am a DD myself, so I know the struggle. PM me and we can talk.

[MermaidSandie]

Oooh, that gold is so beautiful!! I love the warm bronzey tones <333

[Kait]

Wow hun that turned out so lovely! Such a pretty gold :D

[HamptonsMermaid]

I would love to hear more about your experimentation with gold pigments! I am in love with gold right now. Any tips for getting really shiny golds in silicone? Love how you dusted your molds pearly before pouring them.

And when it comes to Baroque inspiration, there's no such thing as too busy or blingy! Go all out with the ornate swirlys! And I just saw an article in a fashion magazine that was about how Baroque inspired fashion is on the up. You're onto something there ;)

[Ashton]

I deferentially will try both individual scales and a scale sheet. I am starting prototyping different tops as well. I have offered than to my pod/friends at a reduced fee (because they are prototypes) and I hope to soon offer maybe about 2-4 slots to the public. Production has already begun and I look forward to making even more! As well as continuing my tail.

[Ashton]

Here is what I have been playing with gold wise.
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[Mermaid Alea]

And I just saw an article in a fashion magazine that was about how Baroque inspired fashion is on the up. You're onto something there ;)

Oh my gosh really!? Yessss!!! I love the Baroque period.

I think I love the warm gold the most, but that tarnished gold is really tempting as well. Speaking of tempting, I don't know if I have felt the pull to have a silicone mermaid top more than I do now after seeing your designs. I really want an elegant armor look.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Neat-o


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[HamptonsMermaid]

Thank you so much for sharing your findings! It's really helpful to see the colors back to back. I'm thinking I like the bright gold for myself, as I want to be a golden mermaid but not a gold fish (less orangey like in the warm gold). These are Pearl Ex pigments correct?

All the golds look so natural in your pieces because the sculpting you did so naturally mimics the original gold work frames you were inspire by! We see a lot of nature inspired castings here but yours is actually human history inspired and it's really unique!

[MermaidSandie]

Oooh, all the different golds are so pretty, warm gold is definitely my favourite of the batch <333

[Little_Orca]

I love the idea of a Rococo Mermaid Tail! I love the little progress shots and I cannot wait to see the finished design!

[Mermaid Marius]

I'm still obsessed with the top and now that warm gold is an option I need it even more 😍

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[Ashton]

Thank you so much for sharing your findings! It's really helpful to see the colors back to back. I'm thinking I like the bright gold for myself, as I want to be a golden mermaid but not a gold fish (less orangey like in the warm gold). These are Pearl Ex pigments correct?

All the golds look so natural in your pieces because the sculpting you did so naturally mimics the original gold work frames you were inspire by! We see a lot of nature inspired castings here but yours is actually human history inspired and it's really unique!


Thank you, I am working very hard on this project :D

But no they are not Pearl Ex pigments, They are custom mixed pigments I have created on my own.

...my undergrad degree is in fine arts so I have a lot of very strange skills.

[PearlieMae]

Ah, so you are mining minerals, grinding them and formulating pigments, now? Where do you find the time? ;)

[Ashton]

Ah, so you are mining minerals, grinding them and formulating pigments, now? Where do you find the time? ;)

I neglect my other responsibilities, and I decided that I don't need sleep- I will just run on wished, dreams, and Diet Coke. :p

[Ashton]

My Thread really should be called: Ashton makes stuff, then gets distracted and makes other stuff at the same time.
Maybe once this tail is done I will just create a new Thread just called "Ashton makes stuff" haha.

[Dancing Fish]

Gorgeous sculpts!!

[Ashton]

thank you

[HamptonsMermaid]

Oh wow, that's awesome! There's nothing more rewarding when you know you have made something completely from scratch (or as much from scratch as possible without a chem lab!)

Have you experimented with real gold yet? I have a set of swan feather "wings" and I painted the feather tips with real gold! I'll admit I used a couple layers of normal gold paint as a base since the feathers soak up a lot of paint. I then used real gold dust mixed with clear paint for the final layer! It has this magic sparkle that glitter just can't copy. The gold came from my pro artist friend's collection. I didn't want to be greedy with it so I used it sparingly. But it's so fun because when people ask about my wings I can still say "they're painted with real gold!" and it's like it gives them real magic! And the feathers even came from my dad's pet swan, so it all feels extra special to me.
356663566735668

[Ashton]

And the feathers even came from my dad's pet swan, so it all feels extra special to me.


That is super cool your dad has a pet swan! I have always wanted a pet duck!... There are 'wild' peacocks in my area... and by 'wild' I mean that someone in the 50's/60's released them and the city kept them because they thought they were 'pretty'.

Yes I have played with real gold, it is pricey and you need to make sure it is ground super fine so that the particles can evenly be displaced in the silicone and not look lumpy or 'crack'.

[HamptonsMermaid]

Yeah we've had a lot of unique pets. We even had a pet zebra! We lived on a horse farm. The neighbors had peacocks so we would always sneak over and collect the feathers as kids. They're so noisy tho!

Now my step mom has a lot of birds. The swan (named Walter Wigglebottom) is pretty nasty to everyone tho, only likes her and my dad and even sleeps in their bed (O_o). But at least he gives me awesome feathers!

[Ashton]

omg that name is super cute! do all the animals have silly names?

[HamptonsMermaid]

Haha well my mom went through a phase where she named all the pets after scientists. The zebra was Charles Darwin. We had a harlequin Great Dane named Niels Bohr (cause he was a Danish scientist haha). And a cat named Marie Curie.

My step mom has the swan and this is her second so there's a line of Wiggglebottoms. First one was Henri Wigglebottom.

[Ashton]

^that is awesome

[Mermaid Alea]

Oh my gosh I love it when peacocks come up in a discussion on this forum. I am a peafowl breeder so I love talking about peacocks and photographing them. That is cool that you had a pet zebra HamptonsMermaid. Their mane is so cool and fun to mess with.

Anyways, I hope the Rococo designs are going well!

[Mermaid Mystery]

Peafowl are fascinating. As most people know I work at a zoo and there's a pair of peahens that come over to the display windows and watch us work. It's so comforting. What I find funny is none of the peafowl belong to the zoo. We don't feed them. We will treat injured ones but they're not ours. Someone just released them a long time ago and visitors fed them so they stuck around.
Also I'm dying to see this tail holy shells. Are you coming to the Tahoe trip?

[Sabrina the Selkie]

When I was a little girl living in New York, one of the cathedrals owned peafowl. I thought they were the best, up until the point where one of the cocks came up to me and fanned out his feathers. I was a vaguely preemie baby, and only three, so he was actually bigger than I was.

I started sobbing right then and there and my dad didn't know WHAT to do. Lol.

Now, I think peafowl are beautiful and fascinating.

[Ashton]

Yeah... peafowl are cool looking and all... but other than that I don't have anything positive to say... they love to 'squawk' at all hours, poop on everything, and stand in the street like its no big deal...

[Sabrina the Selkie]

That reminds me of when my best friend had a pet rooster. I'd stay over at her house and Pi would make this deranged Kikikikikiiiii! sound at two in the morning. Definitely not a proper cockadoodledoo at six.

[Ashton]

That reminds me of when my best friend had a pet rooster. I'd stay over at her house and Pi would make this deranged Kikikikikiiiii! sound at two in the morning. Definitely not a proper cockadoodledoo at six.

Yeah the peacocks here make a wonderful obnoxious 'KAAA-KAAAAA' whenever they see fit.
My sister just told me of something kinda funny located at our city hall; she called it a 'peacock jail' but it is just a caged area next to the police station where they keep injured birds and what not.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

That actually sounds really cute. Peacock jail.

[Mermaid Alea]

If I had the aviary space I would take in some of those annoying peafowl you have there. It would help me diversify my flock's gene pool. They only call in the spring and summer when it is breeding season so I start to really miss their noise this time of year. When I hear them call it sounds really exotic to me. The only time I don't like it is when one of my peacocks decides to call when I am a foot away from him. OW MY EARS! :p

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

Have you read your message from me Ashton? I messaged you awhile back last month about a baroque design prototypes?

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[Ashton]

Have you read your message from me Ashton? I messaged you awhile back last month about a baroque design prototypes?

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I dont have any new messages, I recall responding to your PM a while ago... did it not go through?

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

I dont have any new messages, I recall responding to your PM a while ago... did it not go through?
No it didn't :( can you try again?

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[Ashton]

No it didn't :( can you try again?

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Of course!


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[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

I'd be interested in buying a few decorative peices to add to my tail and top. I think style wise it flows perfectly!

Maybe something right where the fluke n tail meets, and at hips/belt with something in the middle and something as a focal point to a bra. I'm making a sea glass top :)

Let's firgure out the price. And I'm a photographer too by the way. I can make sure you get plenty of nice shots! By me and other photographers since we have a meet up planned in April with some photographers to shoot my pod for promo shots.

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[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

(That's what I sent you)

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[Ashton]

(That's what I sent you)

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I PMed you

[MermaidRaegan]

Ugh the peafowl we have at work are so annoying. Gorgeous birds, but load and messy. We have one snowed peacock named The Yeti that I like, and his lady Blanco is pretty cool, but I could do without the others lol. It's almost worth it though for the babies, adorable little fuzz balls.

Have you you made any progress on the tail? I remember you saying that you had a ton of scales to trim, and it seems like you've been a busy bee with all that 'filgree' work.

[Ashton]

Yes there has been progress, the other day I trimmed and placed a bunch of scales. I will take a photo of it when I get home, I am in NYC for a wedding this week. I have been a bit distracted with my filigree stuff... but thats probably because it is new and pretty.

[Ashton]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160225/1e4062ec4a8ffb64c72b1df3308922dc.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160225/6761a7cf606e6ee5c3a90721b496c8b6.jpg
Mid thigh.


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[Little_Orca]

Love the colors. :D

[MerChemi]

I love how your scales are all different sizes, and the colours are gorgeous. I'm such a sucker for pastel colours haha
The texture is so nice too (though it sort of reminds me of crinkle-cut chips :P)
Gosh this tail is going to look stunning!

[Sabrina the Selkie]

WOW.

[HamptonsMermaid]

Nice nice! Did you use real seashells to make your molds?

[Ashton]

I kinda feel like I need to re-place them thought, they dont seem to flow well... to me it just looks chunky...

[Sabrina the Selkie]

I think they'll smooth down when you fuse it with more silicone.

[Ashton]

Yeah, but as with most things I make, I need to freak about a bit over it first... then I know that I care and it will be good!

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

They LOOK Wonderful

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[Ashton]

Updates photos coming soon, I had to drop off my computer at the Apple Store to get fixed (the fan is broken). And for some reason my Tapatalk won't upload images right now... Ugh.


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[Ashton]

I just got my computer back, they had to totally wipe it clean and reboot the whole system.. F****! But thankfully last night the backup restored everything 100%! I will update soon, there has been things going on, I didn't totally fall off the earth!

While my computer was away it gave me more time to work on my tail/tops <3

[Ashton]

35973
Also there is this project I have been working very hard on with a group of my friends <3

[PearlieMae]

If Eric was any kind of prince, he'd buy Ariel her ticket!

:cthulhu:

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

I'm hoping to see a update :)
And if you post a thread with the top lemme know I'm trying to keep up :)

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[Ashton]

35988 35989 35990

https://www.facebook.com/AshtonDesigns (https://www.facebook.com/AshtonDesigns)

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

Wow! Yeah you are awesome!

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[malinghi]

That's absolutely amazing.

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

You might not hear this but I might be squeaking like a dolphin! EEEEE! I can't wait to see/get mine!

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[Ashton]

You might not hear this but I might be squeaking like a dolphin! EEEEE! I can't wait to see/get mine!

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I dont know if you ever got my email, but I need to know what shade of gold you wanted.

[Mermaid Marius]

That top is simultaneously giving me life and taking my life at the same time. I'm dead. Dear cod, RIP Marius. It's so beautiful.

[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

I dont know if you ever got my email, but I need to know what shade of gold you wanted.
I swear I thought I responded but I emailed you, if you don't get let me know.

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[Dreamie]

Oo! Oo! The top is my first mermaid item besides my mahina! Now I need to get a leg covering... hum.

[Ashton]

I swear I thought I responded but I emailed you, if you don't get let me know.

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got your email! and I just poured your gold :D

[Ashton]

Oo! Oo! The top is my first mermaid item besides my mahina! Now I need to get a leg covering... hum.

I am so excited to mail your top <3 <3

[Mermaid Julianne]

35988 35989 35990

https://www.facebook.com/AshtonDesigns (https://www.facebook.com/AshtonDesigns)
I haven't been on in a while, but dang that top is goregous! Awesome job Ashton! 😍

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[Ashton]

I haven't been on in a while, but same that top is goregous! Awesome job Ashton! 

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Thank you <3

[Ashton]

I take my scales to work and trim them in my free time... but I do a few hundred and the trash can looks like it is full of nasty teal fingernail clippings.

And now I think my janitor is on to me...
While I was opening up my classroom the Janitor walked by me and gave me a strange look... I think he is trying to figure out what those weird lookin' things in my trash are... haha

[Mermaid Wesley]

Renamed from "Ashton's Rococo Tail" per request :)

[Ashton]

Now I can post all my mer stuff rather than just stuff that pertains to the Rococo tail. :D
I just thought that "ashton makes stuff" is a more all encompassing name.

[Ashton]

Photo updates soon, sorry for the lack of activity. I have been very busy makeing tops and work <3

[Ashton]

New top completed! Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/AshtonDesigns/
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36327

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[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

Is ...... is this my top??!!
*swoon*

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[Ashton]

Is ...... is this my top??!!
*swoon*

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Yes it is[emoji170]

[Mermaid Clara]

Ashton, you make beautiful tops!!! I've been in love with the scale and filigree tops! Are you taking orders? How much are you charging? I was thinking of a top to match the silicone tail I'm making.


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[Ashton]

Ashton, you make beautiful tops!!! I've been in love with the scale and filigree tops! Are you taking orders? How much are you charging? I was thinking of a top to match the silicone tail I'm making.


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Yes Pm me

[Shyren Shey]

Your tops are sooo pretty! I wish I had an excuse to buy one.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

You can always make an excuse. ;)

[Shyren Shey]

Alas, I'm a bit top and middle heavy to make use of such a pretty sculpture in its intended way.

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[Ashton]

You could wear it, it is designed in a way that can fit anyone.

[Ashton]

The "Cora" style tops can now be found and purchased here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/275010070/rococo-silicone-mermaid-top-cora

For any other style please PM me, since they are not up on my etsy yet.

[Ashton]

We did a panel "Mermaiding 101" at Titan Con. It was a huge success, and we had so much fun!

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160411/49e53e81ca8908a89ef4f32520debdb9.jpg36437




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[HamptonsMermaid]

Omg your tail looks amazing! More tail pics please!

What was the most interesting question you got during Mermaiding 101? ;)

[Ashton]

Omg your tail looks amazing! More tail pics please!

What was the most interesting question you got during Mermaiding 101? ;)

Well the Mermaiding 101 panel was at a Anime convention so most questions were geared toward how to construct a tail as well as how to become a part of the community. I related Mernetwork to Cosplay.com and also linked them to our California Merfolk Pod Facebook page.

One of the panel questions was "What is the hardest part about being a mermaid?" and my answer was "The LACK of mermen!" Which caused a wave of laughter! And I was like "How could any guy NOT want to be around a bunch of beautiful mermaid friends all day?" Which ended up selling a few men on the concept of being a merman... LOL

[HamptonsMermaid]

Haha nice! I was down in Costa Rica for Envision Festival, and after the fest we were hanging out at my friend's pool and I was surprised that all the guys were just as eager as the girls to try on tails! (One of my The2Tails is large enough to fit them). Even my BF tried it and once he got it on and felt the monofin kick, he got really excited about wanting to try it bodysurfing! One guy told me he always knew he was a mer and was so touched by the experience of wearing the tail, he said it was the highlight of his whole festival experience (quite a compliment considering the festival was incredible!). I love carrying around my fabric tails and making mermaids & mermen, it's like you wake people up to their inner mer!

My BF holding one of his buddies in a tail:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160412/ca01e0f21b66aa3ff45bd786c7ce6782.jpg

[Ashton]

That is really cute! I have gotten my BF in a monofin ONCE... he did not like it at all... Which is fine, it just means I don't have to make him a tail!

[Mermaid Marius]

That's not your Rococo tail is it? If so, why didn't you say you finished it?!

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[Ashton]

No my Rococo tail is almost done, I need to start sculpting the fluke.

[HamptonsMermaid]

Oh it's similar colors so I thought that was it...what tail is that?

[Ashton]

It is my first individual scale tail.

[Mermaid Wesley]

That was a super fun panel!!


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[Mermaid Amelia Pond]

Silicone feels cool they say ... I think the girls just wanted to get friendly with me.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160416/dbbd24d196ee119ee25e2e8570bc9548.jpg

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[Ashton]

I am glad you are having fun in it!