Aeliana's First Silicone Tail

[AelianaNympha]

Hey, y'all! I'm gonna try it! I wanted to make this thread for positive and constructive feedback and to hold myself accountable. I can't start this and give up half-way through. Well, I've already started. I can't give up now that I've posted about it.
As i said in my intro thread, I had a homemade fabric tail as a kid (it wasn't even made of a lightweight swimsuit type material - it weighed a ton!), and I loved it. I've been snooping here for over a year and dream-planning my tail since before I even knew about mernetwork. It was always a "maybe-if-I'm-brave-and-have-money-one-day" thing. Well, I graduated, got a job, and got brave! I ordered a new monofin and I've been swimming laps to get my strength back up and to see if I still like it - good news, I do! So I ordered some monster clay and a few tools I didn't already have. I'm picking up a few poster boards tomorrow and sketch out the fluke.
If I can figure out how to post some pics I'll upload my sketches slash sculpts slash etc.

[Luna Dreamtide]

All the best to you! Sounds exciting.

[KaraLenae]

Good luck! I am in the last stages of my first silicone tail. I hope to airbrush next week. (I live in Arizona, so the weather right now is unbearably hot). If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help!! Can't wait to see your progress!

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[AelianaNympha]

All the best to you! Sounds exciting.


Good luck! I am in the last stages of my first silicone tail. I hope to airbrush next week. (I live in Arizona, so the weather right now is unbearably hot). If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help!! Can't wait to see your progress!

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

Thanks Leina!

Do you have a thread going, KaraLenae? I'd love to see your progress! It's not unbearably hot here yet, but the humidity is CRUSHING. Thanks for the offer - I'm SURE I'll take you up on it!

[AelianaNympha]

Here's some fin-spiration... Oh the puns... They're coming!! First is some color - if my tail were eyeshadow swatches. The bottom two in the middle are interference pigments going to be used as washes over just a few scales here and there.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160609/21ce0d774368498403010f3bdce1b95a.jpg

And the piscine inspiration, the sparkling gourami. I wanted to do a freshwater fish and I kinda dig this little dude. The interference pigments will lend to the "sparkling" effect. And I liked the tail of the paradise fish better.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160609/58561cc7e58f1d24a794af70a152a9e9.jpg
I'm trying to set my design apart a little bit. I am an artist myself and would never want to be seen as copying someone. I haven't seen a lot of people do that more curved fluke shape without a little dip in the middle. So I'm gonna give it a shot!
This is the sketch I did a few weeks ago. I didn't have pencils or gel pens that accomplish the duo look of the bluish brown pigment. And the bright blue gel pen is supposed to be the interference scales. They'll be more sporadic than the pattern here. Plus I didn't add any lavender to this one (again didn't have the right color at the time). May end up adding a very small dorsal later. We'll see! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160609/670d5d595e2ab8e18c6b16d6aae2673f.jpg


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[KaraLenae]

Beautiful sketch! I am an artist too! I work with mixed media, gourds to be exact. Most of my pieces are Mexican inspired as I live in Mazatlan half the year. I should start a thread on my tail. I've taken progress pictures on what feels like a 10 year journey. lol

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[AelianaNympha]

Beautiful sketch! I am an artist too! I work with mixed media, gourds to be exact. Most of my pieces are Mexican inspired as I live in Mazatlan half the year. I should start a thread on my tail. I've taken progress pictures on what feels like a 10 year journey. lol

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

So cool! I'd love to see some of your gourds too! I did a lot of clay and wax work in high school. Along with drawing and painting. Now I mainly work with pastels and colored pencils, and I knit, macrame, and cross stitch.


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[AelianaNympha]

Okay. So my clay came in and I worked for like five hours straight and this is what I've got. I need to work to make it smoother - although if the lines were consistent I would almost like them as a subtle texture so I may play around with that. I'm adding more detail and thickening up some bits so we'll see how that goes. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160611/b535d307e727db2993a6e5d3b878d940.jpg
I've also played around a bit with scales. I was looking at some images of different kinds of fish scales and came across the shape for shark scales (placoid). I don't think I've seen any mers try this shape before, but it looks kinda BA, so I made a few different sizes as a test. I know they're kinda big and bizarre looking. I'm not worried about drag in the water, cause I'm not gonna be racing anyone, but does anyone know if the shape may cause the tail to pull itself off while I swim? http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160611/f4d852e07a3b8ae81d398dea8024f53d.jpg
Any input is helpful!
I also purchased some fiberglass resin and fiberglass cloth so I may make a few single-scale molds to make the sculpting process faster (i.e. Heat the monster clay a tad and smush it into the resin mold to make a bunch of duplicates).


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[KaraLenae]

Great shape! I don't think it would 'pull off' because you will have drain tubes in the fluke. So excited for your progress! Yay!

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[AelianaNympha]

Great shape! I don't think it would 'pull off' because you will have drain tubes in the fluke. So excited for your progress! Yay!

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

Thanks, KaraLenae! Maybe I'll give them a shot! They'll definitely stand out! Haha


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[AelianaNympha]

Alright: update! I have everything I need except silicone and pigment, and I should be getting that later this week. I'm less concerned about that since I'm still working on my fluke mold. I did make a few different scales to try out. I was planning on doing the individual scale method, but it may kind of morph into mini-sheets (think chunks of four or five scales in one mold) that I can puzzle piece together to save time. I just poured my first resin mold out on the porch. It was slightly humid, which may mess it up, but it's never NOT humid in Georgia in the summer so I don't see how I can get around that. I live in a one bedroom apartment so there's no space big or ventilated enough to pour resin without causing my husband and dog brain damage from the fumes so we'll just see how it does! I stuck it in the storage unit in the closet to cure so it's not out in the humid-ish air and it's not giving us headaches. It's bondo fiberglass resin if anyone knows or has worked with that before and knows I've just screwed myself over TELL ME NOW! Haha.
Anyhoo. Barring any conflict there I'm going to work toward finishing my fluke mold by tomorrow so I can pour THAT mold by tomorrow night or Thursday morning. On that note - has anyone tried making a mold on foam board covered in aluminum foil? I would make sure the clay is securely mashed onto the foil so there aren't any undercuts but it seems like a good idea? Especially cost-wise.


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[KaraLenae]

Hi there! Is this type of board you will make the mold out of? I used this. The only problem I ran into, is when I glued my foam scales on to it with E6000 glue, the glue ate away at the styrofoam underside. I noticed my board wasn't laying flat the next morning, so I had to go back with gator board (foam board with paperboard backing) to make it level before pouring my plaster. I can send more pics of my 'ordeal' if needed.....

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160615/48cd41c86f3db050b581d2f5538c5a73.jpg

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[AelianaNympha]

Hi there! Is this type of board you will make the mold out of? I used this. The only problem I ran into, is when I glued my foam scales on to it with E6000 glue, the glue ate away at the styrofoam underside. I noticed my board wasn't laying flat the next morning, so I had to go back with gator board (foam board with paperboard backing) to make it level before pouring my plaster. I can send more pics of my 'ordeal' if needed.....

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160615/48cd41c86f3db050b581d2f5538c5a73.jpg

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

Yeah something like that! I'm doing individual scales in clay so I won't need glue. But I was thinking of putting my fluke down on that. I'm currently working on it on the kitchen table but I can NOT do the resin in here. Too many fumes.


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[KaraLenae]

I think it would be fine! I made my clay fluke on a giant piece of cardboard. I can't imagine working in the humidity in GA. My last silicone pour was the day before we hit 115 here in Phoenix. Ugh. Nightmare. Damn these sideways pictures!!


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160615/476ffa1c56f5664db3ff13c3ebcc7643.jpg

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

I've done most of my fiberglass moulds on a base of aluminium foil, so you should be fine :)

[AelianaNympha]

Took the mold off the aluminum foil this morning! It's still pretty gassy (ha! I'm imagining it farting now... #mature) so I stuck it on the porch to air out. I haven't pulled the clay out yet but it looks pretty good so far!


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[AelianaNympha]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160615/b4c04b49ee04cd2b764379cedab5e4ac.jpg

... I'm not good at waiting. I scrubbed 99% out with a toothbrush/blue dawn. Now I've taken one of my tools and I'm scrape-scrape-scraping away. SO EXCITED THOUGH! I have four sizes of the petal-like shape and three of the shark scales. Still not sure which I like better. I'm going to buy silicone tomorrow and I ordered part of my pigments this morning. Yay!


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[KaraLenae]

Yay!!! That's awesome!!!! I have no patience either. lol Can't wait to see the pigment colors!!

"It's the good girls who keep diaries, the bad ones never have the time." Tallulah Bankhead

[AelianaNympha]

...AND I ordered the second half of my pigments. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16] I'm getting like crazy-excited-claws. It's like when you think something is so cute you wanna squeeze it except there's nothing cute and nothing to physically squeeze so you're just snarling and clawing at the air. That makes me sound like a lunatic. I might be. SO EXCITED! I'm almost done smoothing and boning my fluke (HEYO! #stillmature) and then I'm picking up the foam board and silicone tomorrow. The only time I left the apartment today was to pick up enough chickfila for two people so I could eat it all myself and watch mako mermaids on Netflix.


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[AelianaNympha]

OHMYGOSHYOUGUYS. I just bought my silicone and power mesh. Holy poop. And I got a notification this morning that half of my pigments shipped this morning and would arrive by Monday. And GUESS WHAT? I just got an email that the OTHER HALF of my pigments shipped this afternoon and they're ALSO arriving Monday. ALL MY PIGMENTS COME ON MONDAY!!


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[Spindrift]

That's awesome! I love your inspiration fish. Check out the Jack Dempsey too - they are my favorite! :)

[AelianaNympha]

That's awesome! I love your inspiration fish. Check out the Jack Dempsey too - they are my favorite! :)

Just googled - they are so cool!! Love how colorful and yet subtle!


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[Mermaid Keena]

Bahaha! We have similar humor!!! 😂😂😂😂

Cant wait to see your tests! Definitely wait until the mould is not gassy[emoji14] or the silicone wont cure :D

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[AelianaNympha]

Bahaha! We have similar humor!!! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Cant wait to see your tests! Definitely wait until the mould is not gassy[emoji14] or the silicone wont cure :D

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Yay! We can laugh together! [emoji23]

My first mold still smells a tad when I put my nose right up to it. Is that still too gassy?


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[AelianaNympha]

The interference pigments came in!! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160617/e25bbd83d5606aabacabeaed7b72c211.jpg

Y'ALL
https://vimeo.com/171152093


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[Mermaid Keena]

Yay! We can laugh together! [emoji23]

My first mold still smells a tad when I put my nose right up to it. Is that still too gassy?


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I "think" you need to wait a minimum of 7days before use? Not 100% sure though!

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[Mermaid Keena]

Pretty pigments!!! 😍

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[AelianaNympha]

Pretty pigments!!! [emoji7]

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Thanks so much! And seven days good GRIEF how will I ever wait that long??


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[Lilyrose Fish]

I am excited to watch your progress on your tail. Your design is beautiful. I can hardly wait to see it come to life.

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[AelianaNympha]

I am excited to watch your progress on your tail. Your design is beautiful. I can hardly wait to see it come to life.

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Thank you so much!! :tear: I'm almost finished with the fluke mold. I can TASTE it...

It tastes like dirt and a little like chemicals. Am I supposed to lick this?


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[Mermaid Keena]

Thank you so much!! :tear: I'm almost finished with the fluke mold. I can TASTE it...

It tastes like dirt and a little like chemicals. Am I supposed to lick this?


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Hahahahaha!!! Please dont eat it!!! Then youll have to redo it all again!

7 days FEELS like forever!!!

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[AelianaNympha]

Okay. So finally finished my fluke. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/ab08b6b17a9a780f1a920f65549b77b5.jpgChanged the design of my scales AGAIN. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/c53db066ef2bf00306295a9560c80028.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/00a62b6436b041c4599f31ce2ac7bb51.jpgAnd started pouring resin. Had a half gallon which I thought would be enough since it's pretty thin, but he detail on the top of the fluke meant it was in fact NOT enough. But I've been sniffing chemicals for too long. So I'm taking a break. All the important bits are covered so I'll just pick up some more resin later this evening when I meet my husband to see how our new house is coming along. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/e240350819eefcb5e6fa996308afbe11.jpg the sun in central Georgia was just too dang much today and started melting the edges of the mold wall - crapcrapcrapcrapcrap! So I had to make a ~super profesh~ shade for it. And move a fan outside to keep the clay cooler. I know what you're thinking. Amazing job! Next week I'm gonna start repairing cars. I've already bought THREE rolls of Duck tape and one of them is SPIDER-MAN. #winnerwinnerchickendinner #BOOM

**EDT** feel I should clarify. I used protection (HEYO). I had long sleeves, pants, gloves, goggles, and a mask and worked outside. I ain't fiddlefartin around here. But I did still smell some (maybe my mask didn't fit perfectly).


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[merwandering]

Yay!!! Love your ideas! And excited to see some interference used! I bought some and didn't use it, so now I'm trying to think of all of the random things I could do with it, lol. Good luck with your resin!

[AelianaNympha]

Yay!!! Love your ideas! And excited to see some interference used! I bought some and didn't use it, so now I'm trying to think of all of the random things I could do with it, lol. Good luck with your resin!

Thanks!! I've been INHALING your fast and furious thread. Laughing my butt off (wouldn't that be nice. Just made my tape dummy and... Girlfriend what happened to yo butt?? Couldn't possibly be the Cocoa crispies I had for breakfast...) plus your tail is just GOWGEOUS.


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[AelianaNympha]

Y'ALL. I just got the rest of my pigments in and the shop I got it from on etsy is THEBOMB.COM. First off, I gotta give credit where credit is due. The shop is called altered attic on etsy and she sells pearlex in 6 gram jars. Perfect for if you're not a pro tail maker and just wanna dabble with colors. So she had pre-set bundles of 6 and 13 for slightly discounted prices (they're normally $8 USD for one 6-gram jar). I had narrowed my options to 8 colors, so I messaged and asked if she'd be willing to set up a custom 8-color bundle for me which she did - the DOLL. THEN when they arrived today, I received THIS. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/343e20f117a33ff92a583d9f74efb868.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/60732a8a089344f5a10ebee51d8767bb.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/6a0fbffdfb9f8d7e8e9eddd67e2e0afa.jpg
How adorable and sweet is that?? Smiley face confetti AND a lifesaver mint? WITH A FREE SAMPLE?! And the lifesaver was wintergreen which we all know is the better flavor! Like not only is it awesome to give away free samples because it makes me happy but look at what I'm doing now? I'm promoting her business because that thoughtful little gesture sold me on her! PLUS how pretty is that blue? Anyways. This is all the pigments - bad lighting I know, but I do what I can. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160620/04fb47fec43da18abb96a5489fa92a15.jpg
From the left top of the V around it's carbon black, pearl white, spring green (which I'll mix with the next color to get an olive color), sunset gold, then grey lavender, super copper, super bronze, and duo red blue. Then the interference shades are gold, blue, and blue-green-purple.


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[AelianaNympha]

Alright. Slight hiccup. A few parts of my resin mold did not cure. Only thing I can think of is that I didn't use enough hardener (even though I measured it exactly). When I poked a Popsicle stick into the gooey parts only the surface was uncured. So I went to lowe's to ask an expert. There wasn't one. So I bought some extra hardener to experiment. I squirted extra hardener in the gummy areas and mixed it up with the Popsicle stick. Then poured resin over the areas at the top of the mold where I ran out. The mold is warping just a tad, but when I pressed on it it gave so I think I can straighten it out some when it finishes curing (and after I've finished laying the fiberglass cloth over the other uncured bits). So. To sum up. More resin poured at the top of the fluke, cloth laid there. Extra hardener mixed into bottom of fluke. More resin standing by to level out mold when/if hardener cures the gummy parts. Wish me luck!


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[AelianaNympha]

It all cured!! (As far as I can touch anyways) I'm going to flip the mold and start scraping clay this afternoon, but adding the extra hardener solved the problem. Next I just have to finish making scales and then make those molds, which should work out just fine now that I know how to troubleshoot with the resin. It looks like I have all the supplies I need except thinner for the silicone. And that's where I have questions. I read somewhere that I can buy certain paint thinners to use to thin my silicone, but I don't know what to and what not to use as far as thinner ingredients go. I have also seen a lot of recommendations for NOVOCS - I know I read that Theobromine used it for her sea serpent tail which was bangin - but I'd rather not have to drive three hours to get it or have to pay a crap load in shipping again. Is there something I can purchase from lowe's or Michaels? Anyone?


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[merwandering]

Did you find something other than the NOVOCS? how's it coming- I'm dying to seeeeeee!!!!!
And I didnt read it before but thank you:)
And girl- cocoa krispies are obviously fuel for amazingness.
obviously.
p.s. if it is any motivation I will totally send you confetti in the mail to celebrate when you finish your tail, lol

[AelianaNympha]

Dude, merwandering, cleaning clay out of molds is NO JOKE. I've got a ma-hu-ssive crick in my neck and I've been working on it for days. My goal is to finish it tomorrow and maybe pour silicone tomorrow night. Pointers for any noobs like me reading this - vegetable oil really helps break down monster makers.
Also, be careful about securing your sculpture to your surface - I made the mistake of sculpting mine precisely on the poster board I used as a stencil of sorts. When the resin finished curing I ended up with some wicked awful undercuts. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160629/7f2cd7590167d4d3932cc742245d5e2d.jpg
Took about five hours to pop off all the extra pieces. And I haven't even finished cleaning out the clay yet.
Also having some issues with the areas that didn't cure immediately. They're cured now but they cured all dimpled and lumpy. I don't want to have to remake the mold (it's too expensive) but if I pour the silicone in the mold the way it is now, there will be some weird lumpy bits. I read somewhere that you can mash and smooth monster clay over areas like that and the silicone will still cure. So I may try that.
As for the thinner, I read that you can use mineral spirits. It was on a special effects site though, not here, so I'm hoping it will still work.
Girl if you sent me confetti I'd probably save it. I've been inhaling you and pearlie's individual scale threads and they're AMAZING.


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[Lili]

Oh my god u had the worst time cleaning out my mold, I ended up leaving some pieces in and just spraying it down with shellac since I used a different type of clay

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[AelianaNympha]

Oh my god u had the worst time cleaning out my mold, I ended up leaving some pieces in and just spraying it down with shellac since I used a different type of clay

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What kind of shellac spray did you use? I've been trying to find one on here but searching through so much takes forever!!

And how's your tail going? Been keeping an eye on your partial!


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[Lili]

I used one I found in the garage, it had no mention of sulfur and it apparently can be used on multiple surfaces, my silicone cured in it just fine, I advise you wear a mask and do this outside or in an area with open windows because this stuff seriously smells, it's all acetone so be careful !
My tail is coming along great, I've just been sewing all day every day haha http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160629/5d6ab1eae250d1aabe3c82e1802c6009.jpg

[merwandering]

Oh no! I just started sculpting a new fluke, and realized I think why the clay in my fluke mold came out in about 30 seconds in ONE PIECE but my scales took for.ev.er. might be temperature? It was much warmer when I was cleaning the scale mold, it's cold today and the clay I'm using is hard but also holding together differently...
maybe cover with wax paper or saran and try some ice packs?
<3

[AelianaNympha]

I used one I found in the garage, it had no mention of sulfur and it apparently can be used on multiple surfaces, my silicone cured in it just fine, I advise you wear a mask and do this outside or in an area with open windows because this stuff seriously smells, it's all acetone so be careful !
My tail is coming along great, I've just been sewing all day every day haha http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160629/5d6ab1eae250d1aabe3c82e1802c6009.jpg

Thanks! I'll see if I can find it!


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[AelianaNympha]

Oh no! I just started sculpting a new fluke, and realized I think why the clay in my fluke mold came out in about 30 seconds in ONE PIECE but my scales took for.ev.er. might be temperature? It was much warmer when I was cleaning the scale mold, it's cold today and the clay I'm using is hard but also holding together differently...
maybe cover with wax paper or saran and try some ice packs?
<3

I'll try that for the scales because I FINISHED THE FLUKE! It took days. Eons really. But I got the daggum thing (mostly) clean! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160630/adf99283120b50fd6e1658af055175c1.jpg
I do have a few concerns though:
Concern 1: I'm going out of town the 1st through the 5th and I don't want to pour the silicone before I leave (i.e. Today) and not be able to paint when I get back because it's past the green period. I mean, I'd literally be pouring it and leaving it in the mold until I get back. So it wouldn't even interact with air during that time. Should that be a concern?
Concern 2: I've got this nice lumpy bit where the resin didn't cure right and it's precisely along the edge of the fluke where it's supposed to be scalloped prettiness.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160630/6fc325a4e24ed6b4c7bb522da5a8e667.jpgIf I mash some monster maker's up in the and smooth it out before pouring silicone, will that solve the problem? Or do I have to just pour anyways and tell kids I have a birth mark? On both sides of my fluke?


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[Lili]

I think if you mash some clay in there to smooth it out, it'll solve the problem, my mold had cracks and bits where some of my detail got lost so I just recreated it with the clay and sprayed it down with the shellac, voila problem solved, the silicone cured just fine, the only annoying thing was that when I pulled the silicone it had dried clay stuck to it so I had to wash the whole thing in a sink which was somewhat of a pain in the ass but it all came off fine so I can't complain lol

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[AelianaNympha]

I think if you mash some clay in there to smooth it out, it'll solve the problem, my mold had cracks and bits where some of my detail got lost so I just recreated it with the clay and sprayed it down with the shellac, voila problem solved, the silicone cured just fine, the only annoying thing was that when I pulled the silicone it had dried clay stuck to it so I had to wash the whole thing in a sink which was somewhat of a pain in the ass but it all came off fine so I can't complain lol

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Okay good! Cool, I'll do that! Thank you so much Lili!!
I want more than anything to start pulling the clay scales out of that mold, but I REALLY need to pack for our vacation. I originally (i.e. A few weeks ago when I started this) wanted to have my tail done to take with me. But stupid resin is stupid. So that obviously didn't happen. Maybe a few weeks after we get back!


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[Lili]

You're welcome! I hope you have a good time on your vacation...I'm sure you'll be happy to get back to your tail when you get back, it's sometimes good to take a break from the project though

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[AelianaNympha]

You're welcome! I hope you have a good time on your vacation...I'm sure you'll be happy to get back to your tail when you get back, it's sometimes good to take a break from the project though

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Yeah, I hear that. I'm gonna try merwandering's ice pack tip on the scales today, but I could use a rest for my neck - hunching over like that is brutal.


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[AelianaNympha]

Alright! It's been ages, but we're finally in the new house! AND I have a garage in which I can pour silicone! It's supposed to be hella hot today, too, so maybe that will help it cure faster.
I have silicone, and at merwandering's recommendation, I purchased NOVOCS for thinning purposes. I know a mask was necessary for working with mineral solvents WITH vocs, but if I'm working in an open garage and using NOVOCS, is a mask still necessary? And if not, are there any fumes that might harm my dog? Cause I know he'll go ballistic if I have to shut the door to the house and he can't see me. I'm wondering if I can leave the door open and have him just sit inside the door (he's super obedient).


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[merwandering]

YAY YOU"RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did my whole project in my dining room with no mask. But don't take my advice. In fact, that might be what's wrong with me in the first place.

[AelianaNympha]

Lol and you have pets right? And yes yay!!! I'm back and my husband bought me roller blades - unrelated but I'm excited! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160720/d0e8a0709d715c1559bc4b0510401b5d.jpg

I'll leave the door open and just tell him to stay. He hates the smell of nail polish remover and always leaves the room when I use it. If he hates silicone enough he'll leave. ;)


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[AelianaNympha]

Trying to open silicone buckets and so many swearwords. OMG HOW DO YOU GET THESE EMEFFERS OPEN?! My husband is not here so I'm on my own and I'm wielding a screwdriver and a hammer like WTF AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!


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[Lili]

Aw man I feel you, I'm the weakest person on this planet, I had a fun time opening those too

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[Mermaid Whisper]

Lol and you have pets right? And yes yay!!! I'm back and my husband bought me roller blades - unrelated but I'm excited! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160720/d0e8a0709d715c1559bc4b0510401b5d.jpg

I'll leave the door open and just tell him to stay. He hates the smell of nail polish remover and always leaves the room when I use it. If he hates silicone enough he'll leave. ;)


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Just wanted to swim by and say I have those leggings, too, but you definitely rock them much better than I do! [emoji5] good luck!


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[merwandering]

Did you cut the bucket lids?

[merwandering]

If not, get a utility knife and stick it in each space around the rim and cut the little piece that is outside the space. Once you have them all cut, pull hard on each section one at a time until it pops open

[PearlieMae]

Wire cutters will snip the bucket lids nicely, too, and you are less likely to cut yourself with a utility blade and slippery round buckets. You'll see the small indents on the lid edge where you're supposed to cut. There's 6...maybe 8.

[merwandering]

Lollllllll pearlie, but what if you want it open RIGHT DAMN NOW and the closest thing to you is a steak knife??
Aeliana whatever I tell you to do, run it through your head and think, okay in the same vein how would pearlie Mae do it?
and that way you can have a more professional product, not ruin your stuff, and not risk your life

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I can't wait to see this done! I love your inspiration fish and photos!!! :D <3


Lollllllll pearlie, but what if you want it open RIGHT DAMN NOW and the closest thing to you is a steak knife??
Aeliana whatever I tell you to do, run it through your head and think, okay in the same vein how would pearlie Mae do it?
and that way you can have a more professional product, not ruin your stuff, and not risk your life
Words of wisdom. Bahahaha

[PearlieMae]

Lollllllll pearlie, but what if you want it open RIGHT DAMN NOW and the closest thing to you is a steak knife??...

You look at the scar across your thumb where you nearly severed it CUTTING OPEN A STUPID GOLF BALL WITH A POCKET KNIFE AND HAD TO SPEND YOUR ENTIRE 14th SUMMER IN A CAST UP TO YOUR ARMPIT, and then you take a deep breath, get off your ass and go find the wire cutters.

[AelianaNympha]

Okay! So I've sort of poured it in layers - maybe not the best way, but I needed certain base colors in certain places. And it's a little messy, but I really just needed the base colors there. SO! The surface of the fluke (i.e. The back) is smooth and non-sticky. But I peeled back the corner and the side that touches the mold is slightly tacky. Forgive me, but is that normal? Or did I eff something up? Cause there's no part that is gummy like it won't come off on my hands, but it feels reminiscent of a sticky hand you throw on a wall, but way more solid. Is that normal or do I have to do it all again? [emoji24][emoji24]


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[Lili]

I'm guessing it's just uncured silicone, when I pulled my fluke, dome parts were randomly tacky and wet, I let it sit for a day or two and it was fine...one of two things is happening, the silicone needs more time to cure or there's something preventing it from curing fully

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[AelianaNympha]

Ughhhhh... NOT what I wanted to read. Well there's another layer on the very top to back it up so I'll have to wait overnight for that to cure. Then I'll pull it and hope it's all okay.


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[Lili]

Yeah I'm sure that'll do it...silicone is tricky to work with...I know

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[AelianaNympha]

Just wanted to swim by and say I have those leggings, too, but you definitely rock them much better than I do! [emoji5] good luck!


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Thank you so much Whisper! I'm actually super self conscious about my thighs. I used to be thinner, but chickfila. [emoji20]


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[AelianaNympha]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160721/c50a8c27f8630a43d9c5c3d877dd16aa.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160721/5eee2472e0549dbf0b4e6a8f28a39d7b.jpg

Whee!! It's super messy color wise, which is fine. Cause I just wanted a base of black, white, and translucent to build other colors on top of. But it came out and it's in one piece and I haven't trimmed it and it's awesome!! [emoji846][emoji4][emoji51][emoji16][emoji3][emoji2]


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[AelianaNympha]

So, it is about to rain. I want to pour silicone so badly but I don't want to do it in the new house and risk damaging something. Our garage is not temperature controlled (or probably air tight) so I'm pretty sure if it was raining outside it would affect the silicone. I'm DYING.


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[merwandering]

Bad influence here-
DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!
Put something down, and know that I have spilled silicone on everything and the only casualty was several pairs of yoga pants.
It isn't like horrible evil resin.
I"M SO EXCITED! YAY for your fluke!!!!

[merwandering]

Lol and you have pets right? And yes yay!!! I'm back and my husband bought me roller blades - unrelated but I'm excited! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160720/d0e8a0709d715c1559bc4b0510401b5d.jpg

I'll leave the door open and just tell him to stay. He hates the smell of nail polish remover and always leaves the room when I use it. If he hates silicone enough he'll leave. ;)


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You are so supercute and I love the new rollerblades- I really liked your leggings and was like, but whats on the knees?
OOOOOOOOohhhhhhhhh- safety equipment.
(oh, yeah, THAT.)
lol

[AelianaNympha]

You are so supercute and I love the new rollerblades- I really liked your leggings and was like, but whats on the knees?
OOOOOOOOohhhhhhhhh- safety equipment.
(oh, yeah, THAT.)
lol

Aw thank you merwandering!! Lol they're actually boy's rollerblades - they were 20$ less and came with elbow, knee, and wrist pads. It's the only way my husband wouldn't make me wear a helmet. (I know - safety. But I don't move very fast! Lol)


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[Sammi the Sleepy Mermaid]

I just started working on my silicone tail as well! I can't wait to see your completed piece! :D

[AelianaNympha]

I just started working on my silicone tail as well! I can't wait to see your completed piece! :D

I'm gonna pour the other side of my fluke today!
And I just subscribed to your thread - very exciting!!


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[Lili]

So exciting! I can't wait to see it :D

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[AelianaNympha]

Alrighty! Got the last of the second side of my fluke poured, and I poured one set of scales in two differing shades of that golden olivey color (one more gold than the other). I cut the excess from the scales from earlier and then poured some copper scales and now I'm finally resting - back's killing me! I promise I'll line up some scales and photograph them tomorrow in the sun. Tonight, it's time for a bubble bath and some time with the Hubz. [emoji7] it's been a good day!

Also, duonua1s, can't quite understand what you wrote, but I see exclamation points, so I'm assuming enthusiasm!?


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[AelianaNympha]

[deleted]

[Mermaid Whisper]

Duonua1 has actually been spamming quite a bit...all the same thing on several popular posts. New member, too.

Good luck in all your endeavors! Can't wait to see your final work!




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[merwandering]

SLACKER! What do you MEAN you will post TOMORROW???
TOMORROW??? :/
post at 2am like all the cool kids.
jk
excited you got your fluke all poured! And SCALES
yesssssss:)

[merwandering]

Plus-
a bath??
Where is your tenacity?
The first day, a person might say OMG- are you ok??
and you look at the alarm on their face, glance at your arm, and say "oooooohhhhh, no, that's just silicone, not a bruise."
but then the second day, what may or may not be the same silicone is still on your arm, you honestly have no idea which, and they might wonder if silicone doesn't wash off, but at least they don't scare you.
At least now they know to keep their mouth shut.
Because really shouldn't they have learned their lesson a few months ago when they thought your head was bleeding, but you just had red paint in your hair??
hypothetically?

[AelianaNympha]

Thanks, whisper! I wondered - I'd seen the same post but thought it was a translation error or something.

Merwandering - we just moved and I have a big gorgeous bathtub that even covers my BOOBS when I'm in it. So I'm kind of obsessed with it. And after a day of hunching over molds and cutting out scales I NEEDED a nice spearmint and eucalyptus soak! Haha but really, I'm legit finding silicone everywhere. I found some stuck to my elbow and behind my ear!
Hypothetically, you'd think they would understand the difference between creativity and injury, but when one so often leads to the other, it's somewhat hard to tell. Can we blame them for questioning us? Or our sanity?


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[Mermaid Whisper]

That tub sounds fintastic *is quietly jealous*.

I've messed up a lot of my clothes with this cursed "creativity"! India ink on my pajamas, sparkly acrylic paint on my only jeans...when will I learn? Art has a price, and it's up to you to make it worth paying for!

Merwandering, go to sleeeeep. I always wonder how much coffee you've had [emoji5]


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[PearlieMae]

I wear my art spattered clothes as a badge of accomplishment.

And I wonder the same about MerWandering! ;)

[AelianaNympha]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160723/89fcc8b44a017e0347c20d4dee66bf16.jpg
Scales! The pinky ones are supposed to be copper. And that's not the pattern I'll use, just wanted to show the contrast in the colors. I'll have to put a slime coat over them when I finish securing them to the body, and I'll use more pigment when I do, but I'm so excited!!


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[Sammi the Sleepy Mermaid]

Ohhhh, so cool! What is a slime coat and why would you use it? :) I'm learning so much from everyone's process!

[AelianaNympha]

So after you pull your silicone from your mold, it's a little dulled (usually if you use an unsealed mold from plaster or resin). But you notice when you've poured the silicone and it cures in the mold, the surface layer (the back of whatever's in your mold) is super glossy and shiny. So when you've put everything together, you can pour another thin layer of silicone on the outside to give it that glossy shiny look. It's easiest to thin that coat down with a solvent so you can paint it thin enough.


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[Sammi the Sleepy Mermaid]

Oh nice! That makes sense. I had a feeling that was what you're doing, but I've never heard of it being called a slime coat :D

[AelianaNympha]

Just laid both sides of my fluke back to back and it matches up almost perfectly!! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160723/436f8334fe9032cf945f38f356fae6c1.jpg
The scallop pattern got messed up toward the middle of the fluke - that's where the mold didn't cure right and I had to put clay in to try and recreate it. Didn't quite work. BUT scissors are a thing. [emoji51] I just poured some pearly champagne scales for the belly of the tail. I'm LOVING the slight difference in scale colors with each pour. It creates such depth!! Pearlie Mae was truly inspired with individual scales. I remember thinking it was such a cool idea when I first dreamed of making a tail - I hadn't found mernetwork and didn't even know how it could be done. I hadn't seen anyone else do it and had no clue how to figure it out. Then a few years ago I found Pearlie's threads and holy poop! I was so in awe. I never dreamed I'd be able to make something that beautiful myself and here I am!!
On a slightly negative note, I think I'm gonna get rid of the pectorals from my original pattern - the left mold I made got broken in the move and the more I looked at it, the more I felt the design really didn't match what else I have going - i.e. Fluke shape and scale design. I think I'm just gonna keep it streamlined and go with that. I'm worried about it, but with the trouble I had with the fluke mold and then the second pectoral breaking... I just don't want to deal with that again.

*edit* look at my pretty granite counters in the new house! (I hope no one thinks I'm boasting or anything. I'm just super excited; it's me and my husband's first house and I literally want to lick everything so everyone knows it's mine. If I talk about the house too much just tell me to shut the eff up.)

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[Mermaid Caspiana]

I love your fluke!!! :) And the granite counters!!! That's exactly what my mom and dad want in the kitchen. ;)
I seriously can't wait to see you finish this! <3

[AelianaNympha]

Yay!! Thanks caspiana!! We went smaller on our house so we could go bigger on upgrades. :) and omg I can't wait to paint the fluke!! I may be able to do some tomorrow - I'm playing the music during the offertory at church tomorrow so I've spent most of tonight practicing until my fingers fall off. But painting will be a great way to celebrate being done!!


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[merwandering]

Congrats on the new house! So exciting:) I love love looking at houses. Each time you take a picture of the scales, you do it in a different room with a full view, so that I can see it all. Yes?
excellent.
DONT LET YOUR FINGERS FALL OFF>
I saw a video if an incredible African woman with no arms taking care of her baby, rocking and feeding and changing it- but I don't really trust that your toe painting skills are quite there yet. Keep them fingers.

[AelianaNympha]

Oh my gosh merwandering, your comments bring me life. Haha. I'll see what I can do - master bath next? [emoji38]
I pulled my last pour a little early. Three scales have gummy spots. I'll leave it on the counter over night and hope it finishes cause DUDE like HELL am I wasting 3 scales.


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[AelianaNympha]

Whelp. Won't be playing the piano at church anymore... Only been preparing for it all summer. My dad went biking with a friend this morning and they got hit by a car. Now I'm on my way to urgent care.


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[Sammi the Sleepy Mermaid]

Whelp. Won't be playing the piano at church anymore... Only been preparing for it all summer. My dad went biking with a friend this morning and they got hit by a car. Now I'm on my way to urgent care.


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Omgosh! I hope they're okay! Positive vibes for ya today! Here in Charleston people on bikes get hit a lot downtown. My fiance's brother has been tore up before, so I hope this isn't anything too bad for your dad!!!

[merwandering]

Oh no!!! Honey! I'm so sorry:( How scary. Hope everything is okay.

[AelianaNympha]

He's alright. Been in the hospital for almost eight hours but they're sending him home. He's got some real deep bruising around his ribs and his shin - he's walking a little shaky. He's in good shape so he's doing okay for his age. But his buddy's blood pressure dropped and he almost passed out when he was about to be released. Some dumbass in a suburban said he "clipped them with his mirror", except there's a huge dent in his front bumper and both my dad and his buddy were sent airborne over the curb and their bikes were drug fifty feet up the road. Moron. Don't worry we are totally pressing charges. But dude. Seeing my dad almost crying like four times - way too much. The only good thing is my husband is a rad tech at the hospital so we got to see him at work when he took my dad back to CT.


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[AelianaNympha]

Alright. My dad's super sore today, but he went into work for a half a day. He never stops working. He even works on his day off.
Yesterday I poured some neutral colored scales to use for the belly. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/574d0a8281b7476c31b7278f771ed4bf.jpg
They're the two rows on the bottom. So I now have two shades of green, coppery pink, pale pink, and neutral-shimmer. I poured some black and painted the duo red-blue over them today. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/34c82aa8690ff3d95d519053bdd86dc3.jpg
I only painted the duo over the last two thirds cause I didn't mix up enough and I wasn't sure how it would turn out. But I like it! Lastly, I've started to paint my fluke!
first I did a thin layer of red-blue and a thick layer of copper.http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/b3bc396bcd09c2f125f06d3b413eafe3.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/6ec1df397d073a600a76dbe427007dd5.jpg
Then I did another layer of the red-blue and blended it into the copper. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/cc1edf16b4857d4a2dbd101eb3e8ee7a.jpg
Lastly I added a thin layer of the blue-green-purple interference which I can't capture on my phone evidently. But here is my best shot. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/4a070c222db153b575d43e0e1c42f63f.jpg
I'll definitely be painting another layer of that. And some gray purple and gold will be blended somewhat streaking between the interference and the copper. I just wanted to have a base of the interference to blend the last two colors into. :) it's looking so great I'm losing my mind!

Only thing I'm nervous about is sewing the mesh sleeve for the body. I have a body double to pin if around, but I am by NO means a seamstress. The last time I sewed ANYTHING was a finger puppet I made in sixth grade named Bubba the Rappin' Worm. (I'm quite proud of that venture though. Rappin' Worms became a craze in my class and I had a full-time after-school gig sewing my friends' worms and writing raps for them. Don't judge. We were in private school. We were a little weird.) I don't know what sort of stitch I should use or how tight I should stretch it around the body. Or what kind of thread to use. Or how stiff I need to stuff the body. Any pointers?


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[Lili]

Hey, so I have a few questions and suggestions,
1. Are you air brushing or painting with a brush?
2. Regarding the sewing, I used a zig zag stitch, not sure what it's technically called but you know what I mean, that stitch helps stretchy fabric hold up well, as far as the shape, I found that tracing legs is the most efficient way to do it...and quickest (make sure to leave at least an inch on the sides for seam allowance
3. As far as the actual dummy, I am trying to figure out what the best way to go about it is as I'm nearing the the part of my tail that actually needs to be stiff for me to glue scales on...I would make it as stiff as I could, but use fabric or some sort of foam, I wouldn't use paper to stuff it only because it's not soft enough for the pins to penetrate through, as in they'll just fall right off probably


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[Lili]

Alright. My dad's super sore today, but he went into work for a half a day. He never stops working. He even works on his day off.
Yesterday I poured some neutral colored scales to use for the belly. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/574d0a8281b7476c31b7278f771ed4bf.jpg
They're the two rows on the bottom. So I now have two shades of green, coppery pink, pale pink, and neutral-shimmer. I poured some black and painted the duo red-blue over them today. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/34c82aa8690ff3d95d519053bdd86dc3.jpg
I only painted the duo over the last two thirds cause I didn't mix up enough and I wasn't sure how it would turn out. But I like it! Lastly, I've started to paint my fluke!
first I did a thin layer of red-blue and a thick layer of copper.http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/b3bc396bcd09c2f125f06d3b413eafe3.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/6ec1df397d073a600a76dbe427007dd5.jpg
Then I did another layer of the red-blue and blended it into the copper. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/cc1edf16b4857d4a2dbd101eb3e8ee7a.jpg
Lastly I added a thin layer of the blue-green-purple interference which I can't capture on my phone evidently. But here is my best shot. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/4a070c222db153b575d43e0e1c42f63f.jpg
I'll definitely be painting another layer of that. And some gray purple and gold will be blended somewhat streaking between the interference and the copper. I just wanted to have a base of the interference to blend the last two colors into. :) it's looking so great I'm losing my mind!

Only thing I'm nervous about is sewing the mesh sleeve for the body. I have a body double to pin if around, but I am by NO means a seamstress. The last time I sewed ANYTHING was a finger puppet I made in sixth grade named Bubba the Rappin' Worm. (I'm quite proud of that venture though. Rappin' Worms became a craze in my class and I had a full-time after-school gig sewing my friends' worms and writing raps for them. Don't judge. We were in private school. We were a little weird.) I don't know what sort of stitch I should use or how tight I should stretch it around the body. Or what kind of thread to use. Or how stiff I need to stuff the body. Any pointers?


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Also, that copper is SO beautiful

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[merwandering]

O.
M.
G.

HOW did I miss this information about the worm puppet??????????
Bubba the sixth grade legend.
thats fantastic.
yeah fabric would be great for the form- the best areas of my form are made of pool noodles and a million plastic shopping bags (but in responsibile cities they arent a thing.)
stuff it pretty firm
do you have any pictures??
sorry,
I can't focus on anything but this worm puppet

[AelianaNympha]

Lili: I'm painting with a brush - I didn't want to spend any more money on something like an airbrush and I have a lot of experience painting by hand so I knew it would probably come out better that way. I actually need to buy a few more, but the ones I bought were from the dollar tree and they worked like a dream! All different sizes, no natural hairs, and all for a buck!
Thanks! I'll have to stuff my dummy a little more I think...

Merwandering: isn't it? I'm so enthralled. Luckily I think I have a few more sheets that we used moving so I'll just jam 'em right in! I had a bunch of bags, but we just used them to pick up all the dog crap in the yard so...
I'll go see if I can find Bubba in a little bit. (We had my brother and sister and law over last night and I'm down one bottle of champagne. So I'm feeling a little sub-par.) I made a house for him out of a shoe box and built furniture out of Popsicle sticks and fabric scraps. I destroyed a faux leather jacket so I could make him a biker vest. [emoji23] I think most of that is at my parents' though. Bubba may be here somewhere.


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[AelianaNympha]

Here you go, Merwandering. A peek into Aeliana's bizarre childhood.
I give you
Bubba the Rappin Worm
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/8b76bd7bb4496dfd003e33d88cac81b4.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/7e8326082b525a245cffc22a76f77e39.jpg
Here's the story. My friend's grandparents are from Germany. They were old and couldn't really live alone so they lived in her basement. But every time they visited Germany, they would smuggle her a case of Kinder eggs back (they're illegal in the US because they have small parts in them someone could ingest or choke on) they have these little eggs inside with a toy in them: http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/7a1098affa679821b285f7d0dd7463f4.jpg
Well she used to open them at lunch and we were all in awe. One of the toys she got was this creepy little pink Cousin It looking finger puppet with like Tasmanian devil's mouth but no other facial features. It creeped her out so she gave it to someone else who wore it on her pinky and called it Pinky (because it was also pink). All the girls got obsessed with it because she would wear it all day and make jokes about it and I got jealous and was like "I can make something way better than that." So I made Bubba. Then everyone wanted one and a rap to go with it! (Bubba was from Japan, his girlfriend LuLu from Hawaii, Ikey from France, Tallulah from Canada, etc.) every time my friend ate a kinder egg she would give the plastic part of the egg to someone with a Worm so they had a handy carrying case. We would make shoebox houses for them with Popsicle stick furniture and sew clothes out of fabric scraps (next time I go to my parents' I'll see if I can find his house). I made him into a jalapeño pepper for Halloween. He had funky shag carpet and a "lava lamp" I made with hot glue and puffy paint that my idiot cat eventually ate. And that's the story of how I invented a weird finger puppet craze in the sixth grade.


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[Mermaid Keena]

Hahaha hes so cute!

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[PearlieMae]

I luv Bubba!

[AelianaNympha]

Thanks Keena and Pearlie! He's a gangster little thug. [emoji23]

Got a video showing the iridescence of the fluke.

Edit: let's try this one...
https://vimeo.com/176334447
[emoji14][emoji14][emoji14][emoji14] (drooling?)


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[AelianaNympha]

Crap hang on.


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[AelianaNympha]

DELETED


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[AelianaNympha]

Okay that was messy. But jump back up to #104 and I've got it fixed! It's SO PRETTY!

Side note: since I'm a teacher I'm not allowed to have crazy dyed hair. During the summer I decided to put purple in - let it fade and before school started I'd make sure to get all the color taken out. My sister works at a really high end salon so she does it for me. Well. School's about to start and I just got out of my appointment to take the purple out and make it blonde all over again and I feel significantly less magical. ☹️[emoji882]


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[Lili]

Yaay I thought I was the only one using a brush, I always just see mers airbrushing, I thought you were painting but I wasn't 100 % sure, the iridescence of that fluke is mind blowing, also Bubba is adorable :)

[AelianaNympha]

Thanks Lili!! I think Theobromine used a brush on that awesome dragon tail. And it looked incredible. So I think using a brush is 100% fine. Plus it's working for me!


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[Lili]

Awesome, I'm glad, I found it working pretty well for me as well, it gives it a nice texture and more realism

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[Mermaid Summerlilly]

That fluke looks AMAZING!! :swoon::swoon::drool::drool::drool::swoon::swoon:: swoon::swoon:

[AelianaNympha]

Thank you Summerlilly!!

I bought some cheap-o paintbrushes at the dollar tree and, shocker, they don't work very well with silicone. So I'm gonna have to make a trip to Michaels to buy some better ones. [emoji58] was trying to avoid spending too much on them but oh well..


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[AelianaNympha]

Aight. Two things home skillets.

One. Look at the gold and the subtle purple! (I will be adding more of both, and the gold will extend down a little further. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/36e6416fa0742cc4ee32da1d203edcc9.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/d5f5a76139988f154620caa78498898f.jpg
And my SUPER SPARKLY GOLD SCALES (the gold interference ended up being more of straight up gold than a subtle interference #whoops. I'll just only do these scales with it and sprinkle them sporadically through the tail.. [emoji51])http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/b4bb7d31c997025a5c50ea21f7106b90.jpg

Two. Can I use this glue to secure the seashells to the clips? And if so can I use it to secure the fluke via lace method to the monofin? http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/457620df62d20b4fec55c025ab9f2c7c.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/f5c3b6a8bc7bf597267e5d987c13c3b9.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160726/fcb798dc346f65c1f869fa446bdc837b.jpg
Thank you for your valuable input. (Why are there no finger guns emojis??)


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[AelianaNympha]

I started pinning. And I'm lacking some shades here I think may be beneficial. Anyone else think it looks a little weird? http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/69b232f595063235a98b6c2d96273ce4.jpg
The problem is moving between the duo red blue and, well, any other color...
Maybe I should pop those off and swap to the back - place all the variants of green and see what I'm working with from there? I still need to paint some of the greens with the blue interference, though..
Maybe I could mix up a thicker slime of the copper and match the peachy ones I've got now to the fluke? That way I can incorporate them more like the original sketch I did? The reddish color? http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/7c6f76c2fb90d7063b548b93a534d074.jpg
Idk. I'm stuck. And I have a meeting at 1 at work tomorrow in the heat of perfect silicone curing-conditions.. [emoji1361]


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[merwandering]

Hey!!! I have a million things going on right now, so I sorta suck at checking in now- but-
as far as the color transitions, how does it look next to the fluke? Look at it in context, because teh fluke could make it make sense. Plus, if you love the transition on the fluke, how could you more closely replicate it in the scales going up the tail?
It's hard to tell without the scales totally finished, but looking at your inspiration fish, there is so much variation among the scales, it isn't a gradient- I sometimes like the scattering of different colors:) And I also like making different batches slightly different, but that could mean that you need to have most of the scales done for it to really make sense. Don't WORK tomorrow!! what?? Aren't you a teacher? Those kids are still playing and you should to. Just tell your boss that.
lol

p.s. I LOVE love love love scattered gold scales.
love.

[AelianaNympha]

Lol you're fine, Merwandering! No one is obligated to comment or check in. [emoji5] I'm just happy some people do, and happy for the help! I found a new purpose for the crazy gold ones on the back of the tail. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/e4d269b7e34dd813ad7e54b89a2415df.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/3a63e4a97a5148da191db948ccf61e03.jpg
I'm still trying to figure out the bottom part into the fluke. I definitely wanna put a more pigmented copper slime coat on those peachy ones. But I'll switch those out when I get them done.
I was feeling a little down about the tail yesterday evening and this morning when I was pinning scales. I know part of it is those peachy ones and that I don't have the blue interference ones yet. Those will come and I will feel better. But doing the ridge stripe down the back made me feel better - that's something I do like. And when I asked my husband what he thought he said, "well as your merwrangler, I think you're gonna be pretty badass." The fact that he remembered the word merwrangler (which I've never called him myself) and is so supportive made me feel a lot better. I may also be PMSing. And I really don't want to go to that meeting. But I have to. It's tech training. I'll just go and come back and work on my tail the rest of the day. Ugh. I just want junk food and need a cry, you know? Like watch a sad movie for the hell of it kind of thing.

Also, Merwandering, since you seem to know your way around the adhesive world, did you by any chance see the post with my questions about glue? I found this adhesive at homedepot that seemed promising and I'm wondering if it will work to make seashell clips.


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[merwandering]

No, not at all out of obligation, more out of- it so fun and cool to watch your tail come to life, and for that reason it's irritating for a bunch of muggle stuff to interfere with what's IMPORTANT in life lol
Plus, now you're my mermaid friend, and, blech, I know how I get when I'm down on a project, especially when it's in such stark contrast to when I'm high on a project;) SO- for that reason I want to say RAH RAH RAH!!!!!

And...girl. SO about 10 years ago, I think, there were a ton of ads on tv and the radio ll the time that were like "if you think YOUR pms is MORE than pms, you might have PMDD!!" (or something like that) and my husband would kind of raise his eyebrows and look at me, and sometimes I would be like "I know:(" and other times I would want to smack him. Because sometimes... yep.
But NOW he always says his favorite thing about me is how deeply I feel, because it is what makes me passionate in everything I do. But, yeah, with that sometimes comes a bit of a monthly up and down, ha

I love the back!!!!!! The transitions at the bottom look awesome too! Plus, you can always work with the colors- they always look really different with the second coat...

OH- one more thing re: pms and movies (I definitely have my go to list)
songs can be super efficient! listen to a couple, get a good cry in, in a quarter of the time
tip of the day from the overemotional pragmatist....
lol

[merwandering]

sorry- about the adhesive- I have used that before for something totally different, something we put together to use with our canoe, and it has held up perfectly, with a lot more wear and tear than a hair clip;)

[AelianaNympha]

Aw thanks so much Merwandering. You're my mermaid friend! Yay! I have friends.
Yo friend just got into a fender bender cause her breaks went out. She had a full blown panic attack in front of a state trooper, and cop, and a little old Asian man who kept assuring me that no one was hurt but if I didn't breathe I was going to end up in an ambulance. I hate today.


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[merwandering]

HONEY!!! Holy cow:(
If you lived in Texas I would come kidnap you and give you a hug and buy you ice cream!
38365
but you are in Georgia, and the last time I drove to Georgia was as a driver of a bus full of teenagers for a service trip, and I brought 3 of my kids, and my littlest was a baby, and he was on a feeding tube and breathing treatments and it was kind of crazy but THEN on the way back, the bus broke down, and it was Friday afternoon, and no where could help us til monday
but what on earth would we do with 40 teenagers for three days in the middle of nowhere???
so we packed them all onto the other bus, and moved all of their stuff to my bus, and I drove the rest of the way back to Texas at under 20 miles an hour, because it was the transmission, and as long as I stayed in a low gear it was okay, with my three little kids, and it was....really something. And I was so tired and at one point the kids were hungry and it was the middle of the night, and I didn't want to wake the baby, and couldn't leave them alone, so I decided to drive through Dairy Queen and forgot I was DRIVING A GIANT BUS and I tore off their roof.
I might not be welcome back down that route.

[Lili]

Oh my god I just got a good laugh merwandering, I used to work at a dairy queen (first job) I despised it, the working conditions were bad, management was worse, and it just was a nightmare, so secretly I feel very happy to hear this story [emoji48]

[AelianaNympha]

HONEY!!! Holy cow:(
If you lived in Texas I would come kidnap you and give you a hug and buy you ice cream!
38365
but you are in Georgia, and the last time I drove to Georgia was as a driver of a bus full of teenagers for a service trip, and I brought 3 of my kids, and my littlest was a baby, and he was on a feeding tube and breathing treatments and it was kind of crazy but THEN on the way back, the bus broke down, and it was Friday afternoon, and no where could help us til monday
but what on earth would we do with 40 teenagers for three days in the middle of nowhere???
so we packed them all onto the other bus, and moved all of their stuff to my bus, and I drove the rest of the way back to Texas at under 20 miles an hour, because it was the transmission, and as long as I stayed in a low gear it was okay, with my three little kids, and it was....really something. And I was so tired and at one point the kids were hungry and it was the middle of the night, and I didn't want to wake the baby, and couldn't leave them alone, so I decided to drive through Dairy Queen and forgot I was DRIVING A GIANT BUS and I tore off their roof.
I might not be welcome back down that route.

Thanks girl. I have anxiety - I get panic attacks all the time and have medicine to stop it. They just make me really tired and I didn't want to knowingly take a pill that would make me too tired to drive. It was not a fun day. But knowing you've been there makes me feel so much better! Thanks for the laugh! With luck I'll survive. My sister in law came to help me out cause everyone else in my life is not available today.

Ugh.


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[AelianaNympha]

This is so close to how I want it, but it feet like it's missing something. My sister in law said I should do something to blend out the purple and gold a little more, but I'm not sure how I want to accomplish that. I could always put a coat of the iridescent over top, and maybe bring it all the way up to the duo red blue at the top, but idk how much that will affect the other colors I have going on. I just feel like if I only blend it over the gold and purple it'll look disjointed. Any suggestions? http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/38effe079c0d61d79dbe6feba7723d07.jpg


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[merwandering]

Pearlie Maes life changing advice to me in all of these threads has been- test test test. Figure out a way to try on some scales, layer a few different ways and see what you like-

[AelianaNympha]

Bahhhh no want... Can't you just answer for me?? Make it look good for me! My brain no work! Too tired!


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[Lili]

I would honestly add the purple to the tips of the fluke and blend it upwards, it'll sort of bring it together

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[AelianaNympha]

Thanks, Lili. Not sure I wanna got all the way to the tips - really wanted to leave that somewhat iridescent and translucent. But I definitely think it needs more lavender. [emoji53]


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[mermaidenspins]

Wow! I have been just reading all of your hard work with this tail! It's gorgeous. I am a teacher (first grade) and have pink and blue hair, I guess I am lucky, because my principal never blinked an eye when I showed up, some days it would just change, and be a whole other color. She had been dying her hair Ariel Red, so, maybe she felt she had no way to tell me not to dye my hair...this year, new principal. So, walking in on the first day with no apologies and see what I can get away with...
Anyway, I was going to offer a suggestion about the pink scales (i also am a painter) I was loving how you blended the heavy copper color and the blue/purple on the fluke-- what if you took those pink scales, and painted them over with the brighter copper color? You could do it just with the one color, but my other thought was do a ombre scale like on the tail fluke and blend the blue to the copper over those pink scales! I think that may be so pretty, plus, you can still use them, just deepen the color you already have with colors you are already using, I hope that makes sense... I am so jealous of all of the artists out there brave enough to begin this endeavor. I hope you keep posting....I have been watching some other tail making posts that just stopped, some years back, and I want to see what they did!
Merwandering and Pearlie, you are also SO great to help everyone out with suggestions and advice!

[AelianaNympha]

Thank you mermaidenspins! I appreciate the suggestions. It's looking like I'll need to order more silicone (I'll do that tomorrow). But I did make some more vivid copper scales. I pinned more green on the ridge along the back and I have another batch to cut out. Will most DEFINITELY need more though.
On the car note, insurance informed my parents today - was trying to avoid that as I just got on my hubby's insurance. Got yelled at by both rents. Course my husband was furious because his 25 year old wife was being bitched out by her parents. But I think we've got it all worked out now. And I got sushi for dinner and watched the intern. (Very cute movie by the way.)
Probably won't be able to work on the tail until tomorrow afternoon, but I'm trying to be patient!! The other side of the fluke will have more green to blend into the ridge on the back of the tail. Wish me luck!


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[merwandering]

Sorry about the car:( excited to see the new scales and stuff though!

[AelianaNympha]

Progress:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160730/88d161648d2d01d2eaaadafccf8b8ca7.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160730/aae14711679226b1bae530164922ec30.jpg
I did two more pours of green scales (one more dull than the other for variety), and still need a little more. I had to open the sample pack I bought with the gallon units as I ran short of part A. Figures. Anyhoo. I ordered two more sample units of shore 10 medium. Figure that will be enough. If not I'm going to go all Oedipus with these straight pins because KILL ME NOW.
I'm still not delighted with the sides. You can see on the drawing I intended to bring to coppers and duo red blue up the sides a tad.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160730/ae9e0d0595a9e899e27a50c67337c6d1.jpg But I think I need to move some things around. I definitely like these richer coppers better. I've decided to use the peachy ones on the front on the edges of the pale belly scales to blend. I may also slime a few of the belly ones with the iridescent from the fluke to blend it in. With luck I'll be able to paint the whole back of the fluke tomorrow.
I'm surprised I got anything done today - we've been celebrating my mom's birthday and I've hardly been home! It's been a huge week. I'm ready for a break and I'm about to go back to work. [emoji30][emoji30][emoji30]


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[merwandering]

Lots of progress though! I'm excited to see it- are you TOTALLY out of silicone? :(
I bet going back to school will be fun though, once the kids are there- do they know their teacher is a MERMAID????

[AelianaNympha]

Not COMPLETELY. I've been painting by the tablespoon. I blended the purple more and painted the iridescent over the end of it but I didn't get a good pic before the sun went down - tomorrow! I also poured two more "sheets" of green scales in different shades. I'm cutting out one of them now, and the other is curing, but it may be a few hours since the sun's down.

No my students don't know - haha. With luck they won't find out. I have a feeling my superiors wouldn't be pleased to find out about my alter ego... I'm sincerely hoping this year will go much smoother than last year cause it was pretty brutal being my first year. Messy messy messy.


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[merwandering]

If you were close I would invite you for a sleepover/create the perfect class bootcamp, lol. What grade do you teach? I bet this will be a great year. Too bad your superiors don't realize the perfection of a class being led by a magical mermaid...

[AelianaNympha]

Ugh! Freaking Texas! That would be perfect! I teach high school Latin. Yes, the dead language. I teach at a private Christian school which is pretty conservative. I imagine they wouldn't be too excited. Haha.
We have a new interim principal this year, whom I don't know very well. I'm nervous! I'm hoping working on mermaid things in my off time will be enough to keep me sane!


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[Stormy]

Looks amazing

[AelianaNympha]

Looks amazing

Thanks so much! I started painting the back side of the fluke last night; gonna do more today and see where I stand!


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[merwandering]

Sooooo?? How's it coming?
I think working on mermaid things to stay sane sounds glorious:)

[AelianaNympha]

Well it thunderstormed all afternoon when I got back from church so I when office supply/ grocery shopping instead. Horrible mistake - tax free weekend. It was complete chaos. Then when I got home I set about making a macrame ukulele strap - if I ever end up doing parties and events I have a set list of children's songs and old jazz that I've figured out by ear on the uke to sing to. So I'm doing a nice little strap with some neutral string and sea glass beads. I'll post pics when I get to the beaded part. :) hopefully it won't rain tomorrow and I can do some silicone. Plus the extra silicone I ordered arrived at some point tomorrow!


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[merwandering]

Dang girl!! I was going to ask whether you were gonna work on maybe a top or a headpiece, and you are making a custom ukelele strap??
I can't wait to see this whole situation!

[AelianaNympha]

Well I'm gonna do a hair clip for sure... But that adhesive is no joke! I'm kinda afraid to work with it yet..
And I definitely need a top, but idk if I'll have enough extra silicone to make a scale bra type thing.
Have you seen Pearlie's lily pad tops on Instagram!? Drooling!!


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[mermaidenspins]

Omg, I wish we could meet, I am a first grade teacher, and I play the ukulele too! I should learn some 'sea shanties'.... I am so hoping you have a good 2nd year! We are getting a new principal, and have no idea what to expect...
I love having pen-pals across the country with my first graders (usually after Xmas break, when they can write) but maybe you'd be interested in trying that out with me? I have done it twice, and it's fun for the kids to get mail!
I am dying to see your finished outfit too, you are brave diving in with the silicone. I don't even have a fabric tail yet, but working on changing that! Now, going to look at Pearlie on Instagram....

[AelianaNympha]

Omg, I wish we could meet, I am a first grade teacher, and I play the ukulele too! I should learn some 'sea shanties'.... I am so hoping you have a good 2nd year! We are getting a new principal, and have no idea what to expect...
I love having pen-pals across the country with my first graders (usually after Xmas break, when they can write) but maybe you'd be interested in trying that out with me? I have done it twice, and it's fun for the kids to get mail!
I am dying to see your finished outfit too, you are brave diving in with the silicone. I don't even have a fabric tail yet, but working on changing that! Now, going to look at Pearlie on Instagram....

Omg yes please look at pearliemae! She is SO AMAZING!
As far as pen pals, I actually teach high school Latin.. So that may not be too beneficial for your little ones! [emoji51]
Thanks for reading! I'm about to go paint the back of the fluke now!


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[AelianaNympha]

Okay. So I poured more green scales, and started painting the back of the fluke. Here's what I got so far: http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160801/d0e0c2c14b11bba3619e4dcf4060ce83.jpg
And then here's what the finished front looks like:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160801/c7f2017ef1f418615c9032fc3fde0dd9.jpg
It's got a weird shine on it cause of how it's hanging on the garbage can... Classy, I know. But the extra lavender really helps!


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[merwandering]

So shiny!!! And seems a lot more blended
are you excited??

[AelianaNympha]

So shiny!!! And seems a lot more blended
are you excited??

Yeah! It looks so much better! I'm excited to get so close to finishing!


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[mermaidenspins]

Oops! I must have confused you with another mermaid I was talking with that teaches First Grade. I did read the fact that you work in a private school... sorry for the confusion!

[AelianaNympha]

Oops! I must have confused you with another mermaid I was talking with that teaches First Grade. I did read the fact that you work in a private school... sorry for the confusion!

No problem! Haha if you taught Latin I would be all over that idea! Haha


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[AelianaNympha]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160802/70c2a41ab8f1384fa562f9d549ebf885.jpg
Mer on the move. Cutting out scales in the car.


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[AelianaNympha]

Alright. I know it's been a bit. But I finished pinning the back! (I may shift things around but this is what I've got so far.)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160807/7b6d415bef56ba4c470f47aea3b4c9f7.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160807/f854f066dcf199ab2da1e3aa870b0ce8.jpg
And here's a video showing the whole thing, with guest star Noah. https://vimeo.com/177941648 let me know if it doesn't work!
In this light it looks somewhat drab, but there is so much dimension to the green and olive and the blue interference REALLY pops in sunlight!


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[Mermaid Lieke]

It looks amazing!

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[AelianaNympha]

It looks amazing!

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Thank you so much! I feel biased cause I've put so much work into it... I don't know if it's actually as awesome as I think! But I'm SUPER happy with it. [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4]


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[Mermaid Lieke]

It is as awsome as you think :-) I'm currently also working on my tail, and it is so much work but so worth it in the end. Although I'm stressong a bit about the fit because the material will act differently in the water.aaaaa

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[AelianaNympha]

It is as awsome as you think :-) I'm currently also working on my tail, and it is so much work but so worth it in the end. Although I'm stressong a bit about the fit because the material will act differently in the water.aaaaa

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I'm worried about that too! Particularly around the ankles.. [emoji51]


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[merwandering]

I recognize you aren't taking requests, but.... can you please take a pic of the tail with the fluke?? It is making me dizzy trying to scroll up and down to envision. thanx
I'm so excited! It's looking great!
You are going to need way more pins than just enough to finish...if it's like mine you will be using several per scale when you adhere. You'll work in small areas at a time, and once you're done it will free up all the pins you've been using on that area, but- nothing is more frustrating than not being able to keep going because you ran out of pins. except deciding you are going to KEEP GOING ANYWAY and start scavenging for earrings and safety pins and tacks. And they don't work and then you have a mess.
hypothetically.

[AelianaNympha]

Lol I went ahead and bought like 1500 more. [emoji38] a pic with both will have to wait until tomorrow - it's about to storm here so it's too dark and the back is still curing outside. That may be the last layer though! Im now trying to figure out the great secret of securing fluke to monofin. [emoji848]


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[AelianaNympha]

Did some rearranging. More solid blue on the sides and the copper is moved to only the front. Here's the front, but I've rearranged the left side a tad since I took this. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160808/e2b893e8a74ee6485dda4cb17d5554cd.jpg
Here's the whole back, all green, gold, and blue interference. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160808/d9f20c8645b22bbec30e0c3f5b6e7765.jpg
And the left and right sides with green and duo red-blue and bronze. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160808/701764e3614f0e5a4240426b48eb14d6.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160808/b81546823f590afbd5f9c3644bced8ba.jpg
And also my super messy office. Please ignore any boxes or bags or garbage. I'm working on it.


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[Mermaid Lieke]

You're so brave for working in an area with carpet. I would mess the carpet up in a blink.

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[AelianaNympha]

You're so brave for working in an area with carpet. I would mess the carpet up in a blink.

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Oh I'm only pinning in here. I've been pouring in the garage.


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[merwandering]

I KNOW IT ISN"T DARK IN GEORGIA WHERE ARE THE PICTURES WITH THE FLUKE???????????????
lol jk
not kidding
reeeeeally want to seeeee it!!!!
Pouring in the garage? what happened to solidarity? What happened to destroying our homes in the name of art? Wasn't that a thing?

[merwandering]

Sacrifices must be made, Aeliana. If they don't like actually naturally have to be made, then you will just have to force it.

[AelianaNympha]

Sacrifices must be made, Aeliana. If they don't like actually naturally have to be made, then you will just have to force it.

Omg Merwandering I just flippin moved! I don't wanna destroy the carpet so soon! Wait for me to get a panic attack and throw up everywhere - I promise you'll get the destruction you crave. Haha okay I have back to school night tonight so I won't be home until after 8 but I will BRING THE FLUKES INSIDE TONIGHT. Hold your seahorses. [emoji38]


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[merwandering]

But I have to come up with some alternative reality construct that justifies or even glorifies MY mistakes, right?
lolllll

[AelianaNympha]

But I have to come up with some alternative reality construct that justifies or even glorifies MY mistakes, right?
lolllll

Hahaha they're not mistakes, they're happy little accidents.


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[merwandering]

Even Bob Ross would be like- girl, whut???

[AelianaNympha]

Even Bob Ross would be like- girl, whut???

God bless you for getting that reference. Hahaha


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[PearlieMae]

Looks FINTASTIC!

(Has anyone mentioned to you how long it's going to take to adhere the scales to the body? Be prepared...it's slow going.)

In the video, I love how your dog looks up like 'uhhhhh...was I supposed to have a speech prepared?'

[AelianaNympha]

Looks FINTASTIC!

(Has anyone mentioned to you how long it's going to take to adhere the scales to the body? Be prepared...it's slow going.)

In the video, I love how your dog looks up like 'uhhhhh...was I supposed to have a speech prepared?'

Thank you so much, Pearlie! That's such a huge compliment coming from the FIN-spiration herself!

And no, but I had a feeling it would be awful. I'm bracing myself. I still may have to pour one or two more sheets of scales to finish up.

Yeah! Every time I aim my phone at him he's used to me being like, "look here! Puppy! Hey sweet boy!" So he'll look at me. It's probably become habit for him to stare at the phone. [emoji38]


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[LouLouBelle]

This is looking amazing! Can't wait to see more!


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[AelianaNympha]

This is looking amazing! Can't wait to see more!


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Thanks so much Lou! And right back at ya!


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[MermaidClaudy]

Soooo fallowing this , this looks like it's going to be stunning!!!


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[AelianaNympha]

Soooo fallowing this , this looks like it's going to be stunning!!!


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Thank you Claudia!!


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[AelianaNympha]

Alright merpeeps (particularly Merwandering, you needy thing you). Here's a pic of the back with the back of the fluke! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160809/34b7fa743ddc9766a5112533b8e6fb1f.jpg
The body WILL be a little longer as I haven't done the ankle part yet where it will connect. But there you have it! I just poured some more peachy scales for the front - not sure if they're darker or lighter than the ones I just pinned an hour ago. If they're lighter I'll just make them the next row. If darker I'll have to un-pin and repin these in their place. I think I'm gonna pour some lavender-grey to blend into the tummy next. And maybe paint some iridescent over some of them? Or maybe I'll pull them and see if they're darker or lighter than the greyish-pink I have now and paint a few scattered of one or the other.
I've accepted that I'm not gonna finish this before school starts (i.e. Tomorrow) and with all the car crap going on and AT&T causing us issues I don't have the money to buy the extra silicone I'm gonna need immediately. It's gonna have to be a "little bit every paycheck" kinda thing. But it stays warm well into October here so I'll have time that the garage stays hot enough for silicone to cure well in. I'm making it work and I'll be a mermaid by thanksgiving (hopefully)!


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[merwandering]

Me, demanding?? Or what did you say? Needy??
Girl. All I asked is that you PLEASE stop what you are doing, go out into the garage. Move your tail that is hard to move because it is full of pins, move your heavy fluke, find a way to posiition them together, get out a camera, position so that the impossible colors show up properly, probably resize, upload picture to the forum....
and anyway I was kidding
mostly
sort of
full disclosure I really did keep trying to scroll up and down to envision it
BUT WITH THE FLUKE ON It LOOKS SO PARAGOURAMI-ISH!!!!! And I can't wait for the front- the pinks and corals and neutrals will look so pretty and the greens and golds so fishy:)I'm excited! And you were talking about layering with some iridescent- yessssss
so worth it
even to be called out for my ridiculousness.
im so happy!!
and looking back at your beginning and your inspiration fish you said you wanted something different- it's unique and shiny and-
isnt looking at it exciting??

[AelianaNympha]

Now that I've put them together, I'm sorry to say that I can't stop looking at it. I blame you!! Haha. I poured more coral-y copper and some lavender and cut them out this evening but I have to be up at 5:30 and all I want is to pin more scales! Ugh. I can't wait to start pinning more of the front tomorrow. Except I have to make "what do you remember" quizzes tomorrow... [emoji58] can't I just be a mermaid instead of teaching a foreign language?
I'm so happy it looks paragourami-ish. Haha. I was worried I'd strayed too far, but now looking at it again the colors are all consistent - except maybe the lavender but I LIKE PURPLE OKAY. I'm excited!


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[merwandering]

Girl! Why are you worried about the wrong thing?? You are making a 'what do you remember' quiz?
write on the chalkboard (wait is a chalkboard still a thing?)
Write on the digital whatever it is "write on your paper everything you remember from your other Latin class."
and then give them the whole period to do it.
And guess what you do while they write?
PIN SCALES.

[MermaidClaudy]

This is going to be soooooooo pretty!!!

[AelianaNympha]

Girl! Why are you worried about the wrong thing?? You are making a 'what do you remember' quiz?
write on the chalkboard (wait is a chalkboard still a thing?)
Write on the digital whatever it is "write on your paper everything you remember from your other Latin class."
and then give them the whole period to do it.
And guess what you do while they write?
PIN SCALES.

Lol if I give them no direction, they remember nothing, Merwandering. I asked one of my smartest students Monday night what she remembered about subjunctives and she goes, "sub-what? Is that a noun or a verb thing?" And it was the biggest portion of their final last year. Summer drains brains. Haha. I have to give them SOME guidelines to help them remember and relearn.

And what are you suggesting that I bring my tail to school? You want me to get fired? Haha


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[merwandering]

But it would be so FUNNY:(
But I know. and I would never do that...though if something came up and I were desperate I might slap that final on their desk lol- it's comprehensive, in a format that is familliar and also which might spark their memory since it's the last thing they did in your class, and of course... It's already created! Lol
I may or may not have, when I was in college and teaching a kids art program, done a textile project with them because I was trying to finish my own version of it for my cousin's baby shower ...(don't judge- it was one of their favorite projects all summer and if I'm going to have to demonstrate something like eight times it might as will be productive ha ha)

[AelianaNympha]

But it would be so FUNNY:(
But I know. and I would never do that...though if something came up and I were desperate I might slap that final on their desk lol- it's comprehensive, in a format that is familliar and also which might spark their memory since it's the last thing they did in your class, and of course... It's already created! Lol
I may or may not have, when I was in college and teaching a kids art program, done a textile project with them because I was trying to finish my own version of it for my cousin's baby shower ...(don't judge- it was one of their favorite projects all summer and if I'm going to have to demonstrate something like eight times it might as will be productive ha ha)

Oh that sounds so cool! I would have loved a textile project in high school. Most of my stuff was drawing/painting. We made one pot out of clay. That was pretty awesome. Haha.


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[AelianaNympha]

Small update. Coming along. https://vimeo.com/178680444
Probably gonna rearrange the blend into the coral/red and purple and green on the sides. But I'm super pleased with the middle part! Need some more nudey scales to blend into the waistline. Et cetera. But it's coming along! Sorry for the lack of updates for the last few days. You know. School and students and job and adult. But at least I have this to keep me (in)sane!


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[merwandering]

How did I miss this???? Small update???? um- thats a ton of work! IT'S SO EXCITING!!!!!!
I am a fan of blending, if you are trying to decide, about the transition on the coral, that's my vote, but-
lady, wow! It's getting so close!!!
And sorry you're sick:( but hope school is going well!

[AelianaNympha]

Yeah I'm definitely gonna blend the coral. But I want to leave the navy black the way it is. That's the only part I want as a definite stripe. :) and thanks! I feel like it's a small update cause I'm gonna end up changing part of it. Most of it. Ugh. But I have some creamy scales with iridescence I'm about to trim!
I've been using zycam like crazy and drinking a ton of OJ. I dont have any more symptoms than scratchy throat and slight stuffy. But I'm not about to let it get worse than that!!


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[AelianaNympha]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160814/f27a7f5ae125526baab052d1504cf9f9.jpg
Mmmm more iridescence. Next pour is gonna be nude and I'm gonna paint iridescence over it. Blend that into the nude of the waist. Soon as I finish all the big scales of the body I'll rearrange the coral and other things to make it more scattered and not a harsh line.

Need to finally clean out my med-small scale mold as I haven't poured any of those size scales yet and I'm DEFINITELY gonna need to. I've realized that the green of the back is uneven - one side is decidedly higher - so I'm gonna have to pull some of this and rearrange to make sure the color blends evenly into the nude waist.

But things are looking great, and I'm definitely feeling positive.


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[AelianaNympha]

Another update! Still haven't rearranged the coral and red, but I poured some nude scales and painted iridescence over them and swapped them out for the first layer of plain nude on the front and back and then scattered the iridescent into the matte. (Please ignore beachfront bargain hunt in the background)
https://vimeo.com/178838786
https://vimeo.com/178838860
Also, JUST FOR YOU MERWANDERING, here's a pic of the front with the front of the fluke. It's covering the bottom and I didn't wanna move the chair so I only held out one side but YOU CAN USE YOUR GOSH-DARN IMAGINATION. Hahaha
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160814/2205f5a3f0673e5c5a01f893329e52e5.jpg
So. Next step is to clean out the med-small scale mold. After that's clean, I'll pour some duo red-blue, some green, some nude, maybe some bronze, and while those sets are curing I'll work on rearranging the coral.
And all of that will have to happen on another day because a) I need to order more silicone, and b) I need to grade 22 diagnostic translations and plan for this week.


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[merwandering]

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG WITH THE FLUKE SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!! Are you excited???
Thanksgiving my ass, lol

[AelianaNympha]

You're welcome. Haha. And yeah! I'm getting there!
But I say thanksgiving because during the week I'm to exhausted from teaching to do much. Like I come home and sleep until I have to make dinner. Grade while it's cooking, and sleep immediately after. I'm giving myself until thanksgiving and if it's not done before then I'm gonna have some serious issues to address haha.


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[merwandering]

You can blame me all you want, but-
with the fluke<3
It even looks a little bit swimming-ish the way one half is side swept.
welcome to silicone addicts anonymous.

[AelianaNympha]

Merwandering I worry about you. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16] yeah I do like it a lot with the fluke. It does make a huge difference in how I look at it. But I still have a lot of work to do!!


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[merwandering]

No I totally agree with you about deadlines- any time my daughter would say "but do you think maybe it might be ready by..."
and I would SWIFTLY turn and reply sharply "NO DEADLINES."
no. deadlines.
(NO CAPES.)

[TheSaltySiren]

Holy S***, that is seriously so gorgeous and is really, REALLY making me wanna try my hand at making a silicone tail of sorts. I have never made a mold before and it honestly scares me a little. But I am really good at sculpting with clay :)

I cannot wait to see more of this tail's progress! Amazing job!

[TheSaltySiren]

OMG No capes!!! I am laughing so hard..Edna is my fav!

[AelianaNympha]

No I totally agree with you about deadlines- any time my daughter would say "but do you think maybe it might be ready by..."
and I would SWIFTLY turn and reply sharply "NO DEADLINES."
no. deadlines.
(NO CAPES.)

Bahahaha you made me die laughing with no capes!! The incredibles used to be my favorite movie ever!! [emoji38][emoji38][emoji38] I was literally thinking of responding with that quote before I read you'd written it! Haha


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[AelianaNympha]

Holy S***, that is seriously so gorgeous and is really, REALLY making me wanna try my hand at making a silicone tail of sorts. I have never made a mold before and it honestly scares me a little. But I am really good at sculpting with clay :)

I cannot wait to see more of this tail's progress! Amazing job!

If you like clay (and you've saved up for the silicone cause girrrrl it ain't cheap, haha) you should TOTALLY try it. I mean, take it from Merwandering if not from me - it's ADDICTIVE. Haha but if you do your research beforehand and "test on scrap silicone" -PearlieMae you should do fine. I haven't worked with a clay that was as hard to manage as monster clay before - I didn't have the patience once I'd been messing with it for long enough to get the level of detail I wanted. If I'd gone with plastilina you'd be looking at a very different tail. Haha. But thanks for the compliments! I appreciate any and all encouragement haha.

[AelianaNympha]

Alright. It's been a while. Haven't made much progress because job and adult. But I've got a pretty good rhythm going at work so I may be able to get back into it.
Another reason I haven't made much progress is because I need more silicone. Again, I don't have the money to order a whole gallon unit so I order two more trials. Should be okay, and should be shipped to me by Tuesday-ish. So this evening or tomorrow I'm gonna clean out that small scale mold and have it ready to go. I also may finally rearrange those red-copper scales I wanted to move.

In other news, I picked up brush lettering http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160903/5b53b30195240eded04d5e7419920fc2.jpg
Edit: those weird words are all Latin. Mirābile is wonderful and strange, optimē is excellent, and bēnē factum is well done. :)
And my husband's best friend from the marines and the guy who made us kiss in the first place just moved down from Tennessee and into our spare bedroom. (Not my office.) luckily he thinks my tail is awesome. I got him a job working maintenance at the school I teach at and now I have a carpool buddy. :)

So life is getting busier but I'm still aiming to have my tail finished by thanksgiving!


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[merwandering]

You're back! Yay!! I hope this school year is off to a good start:)
I was scrolling down to say this and saw your tail again- with the fluuuuuuuke- it's so pretty!! Yay! I'm glad you're back at it!
And also- I recognize that that is parchment but it first it looked like slightly hairy skin, and I was like- what hobby is this??
lol

[AelianaNympha]

You're back! Yay!! I hope this school year is off to a good start:)
I was scrolling down to say this and saw your tail again- with the fluuuuuuuke- it's so pretty!! Yay! I'm glad you're back at it!
And also- I recognize that that is parchment but it first it looked like slightly hairy skin, and I was like- what hobby is this??
lol

It is! Thanks! Yeah the silicone is unfortunately on back order. :/ but I'm in no rush. I'm trying to do really well this year - not let anyone down. So far it's going really well! I'm just trying really hard not to get behind.
Hahahaha - omg I laughed so hard I hadn't realized how much it looks like a hairy leg!! Haha! Oh yeah, my new hobby? I write Latin words in brush calligraphy on tanned human flesh. NBD. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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[AelianaNympha]

You're back! Yay!! I hope this school year is off to a good start:)
I was scrolling down to say this and saw your tail again- with the fluuuuuuuke- it's so pretty!! Yay! I'm glad you're back at it!
And also- I recognize that that is parchment but it first it looked like slightly hairy skin, and I was like- what hobby is this??
lol

It is! Thanks! Yeah the silicone is unfortunately on back order. :/ but I'm in no rush. I'm trying to do really well this year - not let anyone down. So far it's going really well! I'm just trying really hard not to get behind.
Hahahaha - omg I laughed so hard I hadn't realized how much it looks like a hairy leg!! Haha! Oh yeah, my new hobby? I write Latin words in brush calligraphy on tanned human flesh. NBD. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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[merwandering]

Hey lovely- just curious as to if you have done any more on your tail- hope this year is going well!!!
it's so pretty!

[AelianaNympha]

Hey lovely- just curious as to if you have done any more on your tail- hope this year is going well!!!
it's so pretty!

My gosh I'm sorry I just saw this! This year has been CRAZY! I've got someone at the school who wants to book me for a bday party on October 29th. But idk how that's gonna work as far as my job at the school goes. Also I've had super bad viral bronchitis for the past three weeks and have missed a crap load of work. I mean really it was only three days, but I missed the high school retreat I was supposed to chaperone. I just went in on Friday to the doctor again (third time) and had to get a steroid shot and prednisone. I'm never sleeping again. Haha


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[Merman Lir]

love the colors! The blending on the fluke is especially cool

[AelianaNympha]

love the colors! The blending on the fluke is especially cool

Thank you so much!! I'm still working on it, slowly but surely. I've got some small scales that have been waiting for me to cut them from the sheet for about two weeks. Goal is still by thanksgiving!!


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[Mermaid Alea]

Somehow I missed this thread but you are doing lovely work! I love your color scheme and I hope you are able to finish this tail before Thanksgiving. :)

[AelianaNympha]

Somehow I missed this thread but you are doing lovely work! I love your color scheme and I hope you are able to finish this tail before Thanksgiving. :)

Thank you!! Me too!


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[merwandering]

Yay!!!! So glad you're still working on it!
It would be fun to do the 29th- are you considering it?
Hope all is well! I've had a really crazy couple of months too. Reeeeeally crazy. But thinking about jumping back into some tail making in a month or so:) I love your tail and can't wait to see it all come together. Did you ever do anything with the ukelele?

[AelianaNympha]

The ukulele? Oh you know. Just one of those crafts I started this summer but didn't finish - I'm refusing to let that happen with my tail, no matter how busy I get. I don't think the 29th is going to work out. I don't think I can be finished by then, and I'd have to go through so many channels to get that approved at school. Idk if it's worth it. Plus I REALLY don't want students finding out about it. They just found the commercial I did for my dad's work four years ago. That was a mess and it wasn't even marginally inappropriate or scandalous. Haha


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[merwandering]

Just in case you were trying to hit the 29th deadline I had to come see if you posted progress. Wise not to be trying to knock it out in a hurry though- the last thing you want is to rush. NO DEADLINES was my constant mantra. But here to cheer you on!!! Hope the school year is going well. And I still think it is insane that you can't tell the school. If I were the head of school I would DEFINITELY pay extra for mermaids.

[AelianaNympha]

Just in case you were trying to hit the 29th deadline I had to come see if you posted progress. Wise not to be trying to knock it out in a hurry though- the last thing you want is to rush. NO DEADLINES was my constant mantra. But here to cheer you on!!! Hope the school year is going well. And I still think it is insane that you can't tell the school. If I were the head of school I would DEFINITELY pay extra for mermaids.

lol I've rearranged approximately 5 red scales. School takes a lot out of me. I'm actually very introverted. So having to be "on" for five days in a row, 11 hours a day takes all of my energy, both creative and otherwise. I get home, nap for a while, make dinner, do a tiny bit of work, and go to sleep. But when I have time before thanksgiving I'm gonna take home a space heater to set up in the garage for speedy curing and finish it up. I also have some questions still about securing scales down and sealing the fluke so I need to figure those out after I finish rearranging all my big and little scales. :)


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