Mermaid Koi's Shell Top Build

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

I've started building my first mermaid top today. I dry brushed a gradient on the shells and next they need to be coated in resin. I tried to use colors similar to the colors I plan on using in my koi tail but the paint job sort of reminds me of a clown fish. :P Thinking of mixing a bit of ultra fine clear glitter in the resin for a little bit of shimmer maybe. I'll update as it goes.

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Any tips on saving a little $ on greenery? Hobby Lobby had all it's greenery at $10+ which would be cool if I didn't need a few different kinds for a nice mixed look. I may have to use their 40% off one item a few times to get all the pieces.

Oh! I also bought some netting today and it's in the wash getting softer and less smelly! So excited to get things moving!

EDIT: So with my netting done I started work on a second top project I had dreamed up...A painted scale bra. I found a perfect seamless bra at Target and I'm planning on scale painting it just as I would/will my neoprene tail. It may end up being finished first since the paint for it is less expensive than the resin and greenery for the shell top.

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I tried two different shelf liner fins, not sure which one I like more.

[Mermaid Summerlilly]

Oooh pretty! :thumbs-up: This is def going to be awesome!

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Thank you! I started working on a second top as well I added...But I can't seem to change the official title of the thread. May be a mod or higher level thing only. :(

[MerDragon Arie]

Both of these are going to be super pretty Koi! I love your shell top already!! The only places that I can think of to get the greenery you need for the top is Hobby Lobby but you said they are a bit pricey. Maybe try other craft stores or even Wal-Mart? Amazon had a few thing on there as well! I really hope that you find what you need and can't wait to see what you come up with! I was going to make a swimmable top soon!

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Thank you! I have the netting stitched down on both and the fins glued down on the scale top (went with the ones that go down the ribs, though they kind of blend in with my skin). I only used hot glue for the fins since they were so close to my skin, making me nervous to use a harsher glue. I think my next step will be the resin, though I have never worked with that before.

[Amapele]

Following! :)

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

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I added a glitter top coat to the shells today, I think it really makes them stand out and look more lifelike and magical. Unfortunately I don't think that came off well on my photos but I tried to do a few detail shots to try to show the sparkle.

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[Kait]

Love those colours! Keep it up lovely :)

[The Water Phoenix]

Looks gorgeous! Photos just don't do colours justice! :)

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

So super fun stuff today, Hobby Lobby has 50% off all it's plants so I got a great deal on all my mer stuff! PLUS lily pads for another fresh water top! I got three sets of plants and the lily pads for $20! I should start working on them in the next two days. I was going to purchase the resin to coat the shells but realized I'm not all too sure about working with it so I am gonna look up/maybe post for some advice. I'm very excited to have my first pieces of mermaid gear all done hopefully soon!!!

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[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Hit a slight snag yesterday while mocking up the shell top...My shells only take up about half of my D cup, the rest is all open space and the white bra shows through all the plants. :( I may have to get a flesh toned bra but as pale as I am that may be a pain. Not sure what I will go with.

On the positive, the white bra will probably be my lily pad bra which can be finished fairly quick!

[Lilyrose Fish]

What about painting your bra green? You could use paint or acrylic paint. I heat set my acrylic painted fabric fins by cooking them my car parked in the sun.

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[Lilyrose Fish]

Oops I meant spray paint or acrylic paint

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[A_Koi_Mermaid]

I thought about it, I think I will end up just getting the nude bra since the white one was a bit more busty than I wanted to be anyway and the lily pads cover it nicely. Just sad about the delay in the shell top because I really like the glitter and colors!

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

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So I started my painted scale top this weekend using tulip paints, I think the white scales are doing fairly well but the shading I used on the other scales didn't end up coming out. I have mixed feelings about this project...I like it, but it's matte and lacks dimension. I dunno.

[geffy]

Looks gorgeous!nice http://juragan.club/5/g.png

[Lilyrose Fish]

How is this top progressing. Have you tried highlighting the dark scales to give them dimension? I really liked how you started.

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Thank you! I really like it too and I tested it out in water with no paint smudging! I haven't gotten the paint yet to try to finish it up but I hope to soon. Buying my finfun drained my mermaid crafts funds for a little bit. I am considering buying another of these bras and making a clown fish scale bra to match my new tail. (The glory of the clownfish tail was that it's the same color scheme so same paint!) If people like them I may add them to my etsy shop and/or post a tutorial on them! I think it's a nice alternative for those of us who want a silicone top but can't afford it.

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

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Working on my shell bra today and I'm in loooove. Turns out positioning the shells the way I want them leaves quite a bit of bra exposed on the sides of a D cup. I like them overlapping the edge of the cup at the top and slanted in so the 'hinge' of the shell touches the middle (basically like \ rather than centered)...So I've had to work on positioning the plants in a way to cover them. Weaving the plants through the netting makes all the difference. I'll probly be sewing all the stuff down except the shells. I'll update more as it goes.

[Mermaid_Salacia]

How do you intend to keep the shells on? I'm just starting my merbra project and am so confused. X

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

No problem! The popular choice is to use e6000 glue, it DOES have to be used with a respirator however because the vapors are harmful.

[Katieloo]

I'm in love with all of your designs! They're actually inspiring me for my next top, but what material did you use for the fins on your scale bra top? I never imagined being able to put fins on a bra top like that, so I'm pretty excited to see that :) So lovely!!

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Thank you!! It is just basic shelf liner people buy for their flukes and things. I got mine for $10 at Bed Bath.

[MermaidLiara]

Shelf liner, is that what you call the see-through stuff at the side of your bra? It looks awesome! Can you paint it? If yes, what kind of paint?

Really looking forward to seeing more progress, your top is going to be awesome!

[A_Koi_Mermaid]

Yes, shelf liner. I got a giant roll for $5 or $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond. I haven't tried painting it yet, I didn't want to lose the transparency. It's such a slick plastic that I tried to dye it with marker but it all just came right off or made minimal difference. I hadn't gotten around to alchohol inks or other paints yet.

Thank you! Fortunately/Unfortunately I went on a diet mid too build and now none of my bra's fit but I also make tops to sell so at least none of them should go to waste. :)