Making My Silicone Tail

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Hi everyone im going to start this so I can document my progress and possible failure of making my first silicone tail. I figured I would be more likely to keep with this project if I had a thread I needed to keep updated. If this all goes well then I should end up with a beautiful individual scaled silicone tail, if not then here will be the forum of what not to do when making a tail;) Regardless I will keep up a list of all materials and costs and put that list at the end once I finish the project in case anyone is thinking about making their own tail wants a reference for how much money they could be spending!
Wish me luck!!:D

[Aquos Savar]

Good luck

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I have made scales out of the clay, used one to test for a single mold and then proceeded to make two molds which should be fully cured when I get of work today!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

My molds have cured and I want to upload pictures but my computer won't let me?
hopefully I can get it figured out and post picture updates!!

[Marinus Mortimer]

You need to ither crop or resize ur images to be 1500x1500 pixels

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

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Here is the scale design!! these are the clay scales, I have already made molds and will be testing different pigments in dragon skin either later tonight or sometime tomorrow!!!:D
Unfortunately on of my molds did cure odd and only half of the scale molds on it are salvageable, but the second one turned out practically perfect!!!!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

You need to ither crop or resize ur images to be 1500x1500 pixels
Thank you so much for telling me this!! I didn't realize the images had to be a certain size, but i now know!!!!

[Marinus Mortimer]

No problem thats what were here for! Sorry about the mold i know how it feels its good ur doing small batch remember always test test test. Good luck!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

37966 Here are my sample scales!!! I haven't quite decided on a color scheme but i think im leaning towards lighter purples and blues!!

[Marinus Mortimer]

Omg those scales are adorable i like all of them but preffer the first two rows

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

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So i've decided on three colours!!! Here they are along with a scale that is a mix of two!!! Also please excuse how dirty they look, pouring and pulling silicone scales on a dirty garage floor wasn't my best idea!! but oh well!!!

[Marinus Mortimer]

:jawdrop: :swoon: Love those :swoon:

[Imogen Finnly]

Haha they are all so beautiful!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38056 So my silicone and pigments are already in!!! Shipping was so fast!!!! Now I just need to buy a mono fin.......... But until I can find a good and slightly inexpensive one I will just make lots of scales!!!!!!

[Mermaid Sirenia]

37966 Here are my sample scales!!! I haven't quite decided on a color scheme but i think im leaning towards lighter purples and blues!!
You just totally gave me inspiration for my next tail... That bunch of cranberry, orange, and brown tones on the left reminds me of fall (my favorite season) and my go to eyeshadow colors😂😍

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

You just totally gave me inspiration for my next tail... That bunch of cranberry, orange, and brown tones on the left reminds me of fall (my favorite season) and my go to eyeshadow colors

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
Well if you need to know any exact names of pigments just let me know!!! I have notes with which scales go to which pigment in case I ever make more tails!!!!

[Mermaid Sirenia]

Well if you need to know any exact names of pigments just let me know!!! I have notes with which scales go to which pigment in case I ever make more tails!!!!
Oh yes please pm me! I'm considering making my own silicone tail, so knowing the colors would be great!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38074 I pulled this set of greenish scales this morning!! I love this color even though they are more pigmented than I originally planned! This isn't how the scales will be set but I thought this would help show the contrast in colors. Unfortunately my lavender scales are WAY more pigmented than I meant for them to be:( I honestly don't know if I will use these ones since they are so dark and I wanted more of a light tail. But I already put some more of the lavender in the molds and hopefully they will have the perfect amount of pigment, and if not then I will just try again!! This process really is a lot of trial and error!

[Imogen Finnly]

Prettyyyy! It would be so cute to have a little pink one tucked in somewhere like a birthmark!

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[PearlieMae]

I think that variations make the tails so much more interesting. Why strive to have them all identical? Might as well just paint the tail after you assemble it.

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38081 I got some Lavender scales made that are the correct color!!! Here is the contrast between the dark Lavender scales which I think will actually add some more dimension when they are scattered amongst the light Lavender in the tail!!! I've quickly realized that unless i precisely measure then every batch of scales will be a slightly different shade, hopefully it will look more realistic that way!!!!!:D

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I did a set of scales there that are a mix of the green and the lavender and I love how they turned out!!! 38082 Also I realized that each set is about 25-26 scales, and I can end up making about 75 scales on days where I don't work!! So hopefully I can get mostly done if not completely done with my tail by the time I leave for college!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38098 Yesterday I laid out a bunch of my scales to get a good look on how the colors will all fit!!! Today I laid scales out on top of an outline of my current fabric tail. I was hoping to figure out how I want all the colors arranged and I really like the idea of the white as a piece on my stomach and the green down my back!! Try to ignore the awkward green scales at the top, I was using them since I didn't have anymore of the white scales cast. Another great thing is now I know about how many more scales I'm going to need!!!!! This whole process has been so exciting!!!:dance: 38099

[lynsea]

That first picture is one of the most beautiful blending jobs on a individual scale tail I have seen! Such subtle transitions :)

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

That first picture is one of the most beautiful blending jobs on a individual scale tail I have seen! Such subtle transitions :)
Thank you so much!!! I honestly hope that the tail will look close to that good but as of right now its not really seeming that way...... But oh well!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I'm trying to figure out how to make the drainage channels in my fluke:confused: Does anyone have any advice?? I've heard things from straws to carving in holes and I'm not even sure how I would go about doing that?? Any advice on what to do and how to do it??

Also the monofin is a Finis Foil, I don't know if that makes a huge difference.

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

This worked PERFECTLY for me!!!!!

I didn't make drainage channels- i did at first, but realized really, I didn't want the water diverted all over the place anyway. So what I did was attach the monofin to the fluke (look up the lacing method, that worked great) but at the last minute decided instead of the multiple drainage holes, just to leave i guess about 2-3 inches open all the way from my feet through the end of the fluke, a line right down the center. That way, all of the water is diverted in one way and not putting pressure on any other part of the fluke, and no water is going into the fluke at all, just through that one opening, if that makes sense, so there is no opportunity for ballooning in the first place. I will add a picture later to help explain.

Swimming in it, you don't at all notice the opening, and it swims wonderfully, and the water pour out in its own in seconds when I get out. Very easy:)

p.s. sorry I can't remember and have no time to look at it- I don't think you are using lexan? but if you are, don't use polyzap to attach fabric! It makes the lexan brittle.

Don't take my advice necessarily, because this was my first tail, I know very little about how others are made, but it really works great for me so far, though I have only swam in it 3 times. In theory though, (because I'm more Mensa than Mermaid, so I am not really sure, lol) it should put less wear because there isn't water putting pressure in different channels, and it all goes in a straight line.

Good luck!!!

Do the two sides of the fluke gap at all?? I'm just worried if water were to be flowing out wouldn't it create an odd and noticeable gap?? Also does it stick at all?? I don't know if that question makes sense...... but when i set two of my silicone scales on each other they kind of stick a little, so would that be an issue with preventing water from getting out??

Also thank you sooooooo much for the help!!! Making a silicone tail makes so much sense to me but I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to how to make the fluke and attach it to everything!!! lol oh well!!

[merwandering]

I will post some pictures and a video of it swimming- it doesn't stick at all- I know what you mean, but it doesn't. But things specific to my fluke are that the sculpt is pretty thick, and my monofin is thin, and water naturally flows there because with my feet strapped to it, there aren't like plastic foot pockets blocking the flow of water. There are ways you could address that difference though

[PearlieMae]

If you have enough drainage, like merwandering does, the external water pressure keeps the fluke flat against the fin. If the water can't build up inside, you shouldn't have a problem.

[merwandering]

***NSFW*** opening in tail

jk

so really from the ankles it just goes straight down, then tapers to a few inch opening. Sitting out of the water flopping the fluke around, not noticeable. Definitely not noticeable in the water. Both sides of the fluke stay completely flat, and in the middle it isn't but looks natural. Doesn't gape open. She's about 7 inches shorter than me and weighs a lot less- this tail doesn't even close to fit her, but with the waist folded down she could swim in it fine. But since it is too big, some water was flowing in, but even that didn't cause any kind of ballooning
grr cant attach a video, just a link, and don't have it linked to anything, but I will figure it out.
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[PearlieMae]

Look how cute! And those colors look great on her!

[Imogen Finnly]

QT PIE!

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[merwandering]

Thank you:) I'm about as biased as one could be, but- I think she's pretty darn cute;) though I blame her for this whole silicone tail situation in the first place, so....
random:
1. Becoming a mermaid- I clicked on your name by accident instead of the thread. You were born in 1997. I thought- wait that can't be right- I think I still have a swimsuit I bought in 1997 and I'm only..... (Does math) Now I feel old.
2. I never use emojis and accidentally clicked on them- where would one use an eye twitch emoji???
3. Having a cracked phone screen (againnnnnnn) is all kinds of fun.

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Thank you:) I'm about as biased as one could be, but- I think she's pretty darn cute;) though I blame her for this whole silicone tail situation in the first place, so....
random:
1. Becoming a mermaid- I clicked on your name by accident instead of the thread. You were born in 1997. I thought- wait that can't be right- I think I still have a swimsuit I bought in 1997 and I'm only..... (Does math) Now I feel old.
2. I never use emojis and accidentally clicked on them- where would one use an eye twitch emoji???
3. Having a cracked phone screen (againnnnnnn) is all kinds of fun.

1. I honestly feel old myself!! I'm starting college this fall and am already 18!!! where did those juice box days go:lol:
2. Eye twitch emoji is great for when you spend hours making molds or scales and they don't turn out the way you need them to:) which happened multiple times for me!
3. that's the worst!!! I have to keep an otter box and a protection glass screen on mine so I don't accidentally break it at work
And honestly thank you for being so helpful and kind!!! I've seen some rather unkind mers and was honestly worried how this thread would go, but I appreciate how kind, helpful, and supportive everyone is!!!

[PearlieMae]

I was 37 in 1997.

Fuck, I'm old. :eye twitch:

[merwandering]

Omg yes, you are so right about eye twitch emoji. My new favorite.

And Pearlie,, THAT is why I need to become a real mermaid: you are aging in mermaid years. I am 37 now, but am aging in ' I have 4 kids years' which is an exponential system, which means I'm like 186 (that's just an estimate- the opposite of being a math major is taking a class called "the spirit of math". That's what I took)
Time to switch over.

[PearlieMae]

Hahahaha! In high school, I ended up in 'The History of Math'! :lol:

But I STILL know how to use a slide rule!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

***NSFW*** opening in tail

jk

so really from the ankles it just goes straight down, then tapers to a few inch opening. Sitting out of the water flopping the fluke around, not noticeable. Definitely not noticeable in the water. Both sides of the fluke stay completely flat, and in the middle it isn't but looks natural. Doesn't gape open. She's about 7 inches shorter than me and weighs a lot less- this tail doesn't even close to fit her, but with the waist folded down she could swim in it fine. But since it is too big, some water was flowing in, but even that didn't cause any kind of ballooning
grr cant attach a video, just a link, and don't have it linked to anything, but I will figure it out.
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That tail is absolutely stunning! It looks wonderful on her! :) Maker? <3

And, Becoming_A_Mermaid..... I am in love with your color scheme and can't wait to see this tail ! =D

[PearlieMae]

The maker is MerWandering herself!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Oh wow! How did I not know this! Haha I love it MerWandering! ;) <3 PearlieMae Method I'm assuming? Lol

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38183 So I think I will stop making scales since I already have so many and need to focus on the fluke!! Here is my rough idea of my fluke shape, but when it come to sculpting the fluke out of clay and all that I have no idea what I'm doing!:confused: But I don't work tomorrow so hopefully I can figure it out!! I want to do some ridges to give it a texturized look, and then I would like to have the ridges towards the middle be a different color, but I don't know how hard that will be with pigmented silicone?? All advice is appreciated!! 38185

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

:help:So I've been having major issues with my clay. I've been using Plastalina clay from Michael's but I'm having a hard time getting it really smooth, which i'm worried will look bad if I just let it be uneven and bumpy. Today I may got get a clay that isn't oil based because I feel like it may be easier to smooth out, but if anyone has any recommendations on what to do it would be much appreciated!!
Also I'm using Plaster to make this mold, so I will need to be sure that whatever clay I use can be used with Plaster!

[merwandering]

If you mean bumpy like the sculpt is lumpy, that has a different fix than if the surface is just rough.
I know how you feel and I was like, angry at the clay, and honestly that is the step that is making my take a break before finishing a peacock tail I started working on. I realized I was getting ridiculous- I decided I would paint what I wanted on a thin layer of silicone, and then just attach it to a fluke later. Which is SO STUPID. but I was excited to paint but not excited to sculpt, lol. so taking a break. (thankfully, because I have two paintings for an exhibit that I am excited about that I haven't even touched because I got obsessed with silicone)
Anyway, what I would say about any step, is break it down to looking at the material you are using, and don't worry about it being specific to the context of making a tail.
When this all started, my daughter wanted to buy a mermaid tail, and when we were looking at them I had nooooooo idea what something like that would cost. But the silicone was so, so cool. We stumbled across Pearlie Mae's tail and were incredibly in awe, in my head started thinking I could justify the purchase by using it for a photoshoot, because then the shoot could pay for the tail, and I WANTED ONE TOO NOW!!! lol (and in my ignorance thought I could just like, order one today). But after a quick reality check on that, she told me how it was assembled. There was a gap between when I was insanely excited to start but before I followed her great advice to really research on here, lol. I got about half the information about making my tail from a random youtube video of a teenage girl making a tail, which was done with sheet scales, spliced together with how Pearlie told me it was put together. But if I had a problem with a step, I looked up a youtube video about the material (but usually once I was about to murder said materials)
For ex there are a lot of videos answering specific questions about working with dragonskin in other contexts. On one hand, I so wish I had really looked at tail making threads first. I would have gone about it differently. Especially the fact that I didn't plan things out. But in a way, it was helpful to find that because there really are a lot of just very tiny specific detail explanation videos, and I'm so out of the loop with the real world and tutorial videos and whatnot that before, if I were trying to use a new material, I was just kickin it old school and trying to figure it out, and accept the learning curve.
There is still going to be a learning curve. But a lot of technical help with the materials is out there. I don't use it NEARLY enough. Which is why I end up with issues like resin rage. But I bet there are way more efficient people than me in explaining how to get rid of the bumps;) I was about to try but they will be more helpful!

[merwandering]

Oh wow! How did I not know this! Haha I love it MerWandering! ;) <3 PearlieMae Method I'm assuming? Lol

Awe- Caspiana, I just saw this- Thank you so much!! Yes, Pearlie Mae method lol- SHE'S MY HERO!!!<3

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

If you mean bumpy like the sculpt is lumpy, that has a different fix than if the surface is just rough.
I know how you feel and I was like, angry at the clay, and honestly that is the step that is making my take a break before finishing a peacock tail I started working on. I realized I was getting ridiculous- I decided I would paint what I wanted on a thin layer of silicone, and then just attach it to a fluke later. Which is SO STUPID. but I was excited to paint but not excited to sculpt, lol. so taking a break. (thankfully, because I have two paintings for an exhibit that I am excited about that I haven't even touched because I got obsessed with silicone)
Anyway, what I would say about any step, is break it down to looking at the material you are using, and don't worry about it being specific to the context of making a tail.
When this all started, my daughter wanted to buy a mermaid tail, and when we were looking at them I had nooooooo idea what something like that would cost. But the silicone was so, so cool. We stumbled across Pearlie Mae's tail and were incredibly in awe, in my head started thinking I could justify the purchase by using it for a photoshoot, because then the shoot could pay for the tail, and I WANTED ONE TOO NOW!!! lol (and in my ignorance thought I could just like, order one today). But after a quick reality check on that, she told me how it was assembled. There was a gap between when I was insanely excited to start but before I followed her great advice to really research on here, lol. I got about half the information about making my tail from a random youtube video of a teenage girl making a tail, which was done with sheet scales, spliced together with how Pearlie told me it was put together. But if I had a problem with a step, I looked up a youtube video about the material (but usually once I was about to murder said materials)
For ex there are a lot of videos answering specific questions about working with dragonskin in other contexts. On one hand, I so wish I had really looked at tail making threads first. I would have gone about it differently. Especially the fact that I didn't plan things out. But in a way, it was helpful to find that because there really are a lot of just very tiny specific detail explanation videos, and I'm so out of the loop with the real world and tutorial videos and whatnot that before, if I were trying to use a new material, I was just kickin it old school and trying to figure it out, and accept the learning curve.
There is still going to be a learning curve. But a lot of technical help with the materials is out there. I don't use it NEARLY enough. Which is why I end up with issues like resin rage. But I bet there are way more efficient people than me in explaining how to get rid of the bumps;) I was about to try but they will be more helpful!

I wasn't going to post a picture of the clay because it is a hot mess but I will so you can see the awkward unevenness of it and the odd lumps. I don't know what to do about it? (Also excuse the awkward colors our store didn't have anywhere near enough of just one color, also I was using the blue to patch up where I had dips from popped air bubbles)

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

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Also I cut down the size of the fluke from my original idea because I realized it wouldn't be practical for my first silicone tail.

[Sammi the Sleepy Mermaid]

Oohhh, coming along nicely!!! After you sculpt the fluke, what are you going to use to make the cast? Plaster or something else? I kind of wanted to make something that would last longer than one use and wouldn't get damaged as easy, so maybe some kind of plastic?

Your colors are beautiful! I can't wait to see how it's all going to lay out! <3

[merwandering]

Yep- a rough surface you can smooth with a little oil, but to learn to do a smooth sculpt is about sculpting techniques. Find a YouTube crash course:) it's just the sort of tedious process of working the clay. But it's looking good!

[PearlieMae]

Often, I use a glass blob from the craft store to smooth my clay...you know, like the ones you put in a vase, but the bigger, flat one? They are very effective.

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[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Oohhh, coming along nicely!!! After you sculpt the fluke, what are you going to use to make the cast? Plaster or something else? I kind of wanted to make something that would last longer than one use and wouldn't get damaged as easy, so maybe some kind of plastic?

Your colors are beautiful! I can't wait to see how it's all going to lay out! <3

Im using Plaster of Paris for the fluke, but I used bondo for the scales, and I would probably use bondo for the fluke but it smells to high heaven so it needs to be outside, but of course its been raining practically constantly here and its coming close to move in day for college which is my deadline so I don't really have time to wait on the weather!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Also Merwandering and PerlieMae what type of clay did you two use? Because i've worked with other clay before, like the kind you make pottery out of and I found it so easy to work with but the Plastalina isn't as easy, you can't just water your hands down and rub for a smooth finish :confused:

[PearlieMae]

Plastilina is my go-to clay. It's oil-based and doesn't dry out, works perfectly with dragonskin, and usually pops right out of the resin once you've molded it. A blow dryer to heat it a little helps soften it for smoothing, too.

Pottery clay - to me - is a nightmare for sculpting things like flukes and fins.

These are what I use...no odors! (Full disclosure, I work here.)

Clay: http://www.micromark.com/silicone-compatible-modeling-clay-1-lb,7508.html

Resin: http://www.micromark.com/cr-300-quick-cure-casting-resin-32-fl-oz,7776.html

[merwandering]

I used the same clay as Pearlie but a different brand, and seriously, the ability to keep working on it whenever- SO different that a water soluble clay that dries out. That would be awful. I didn't find out about heat until the very end, but that would make it softer and much easier to work.
I hate that I can't explain how I smoothed it out- I just don't exactly know other than kind of massaging it. The glass is such a good tip!!!! Because I abandoned the tools really quickly, it just seemed like I made things worse except for the little tiny trowels, I used one of those at the very end. But really I got it nice and smooth and then we decided we wanted deep ridges in it, so- we sort of destroyed all that work:/
I got mine pretty smooth, but- I can almost guarantee that I didn't do it the 'real' way or the 'right' way. Like if I were to come up with a way to describe how I did, it would be something out of the DSM, not out of an art class.
Oh, I did use a french rolling pin at one point- though I think by the time you get to the point that you're at, working with your hands (or the glass, that's genius.) is better...

[PearlieMae]

Going to test oil + glass blob when I get home!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I got some of the flat marbles/stones PearlieMae was talking about. Now I have some canola oil(I hope its okay to use that oil) and a hair dryer on standby and hopefully I can get this fluke don't tonight!! If so then I can pour the Plaster before I go to Nashville tomorrow!!!:dance:

[Dancing Fish]

There's also lots of different plastilina brands, too. I found that using Michaels brand for the base and then smoothing on a layer of Van Aken brand on top (very easy to smooth) worked really well. Also getting it softer with heat will help. But yeah, mostly time and patience and OMG I have to try that glass bead method.

[merwandering]

Random and sorry I keep saying totally random things on this thread but dancing fish at first I hadn't really seen your tail and didn't know you made it- but WOW I saw a picture and it's beautiful!!!!!!
I might have already said that somewhere else, lol

[curlycue83]

How did you make these scales?!?! I'm new to this site so still finding my way!!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

How did you make these scales?!?! I'm new to this site so still finding my way!!!
I took clay and rolled it through the thickest setting of a pasta maker, then pressed a seashell in a bunch of spots on that clay strip, and cut out the seashell imprints with a circle cookie cutter!!
from there I made a mold with bondo and am casting them in pigmented silicone!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I have realized that adding detail takes a lot of time, which I guess i should've thought of beforehand!! So I guess I won't be able to make my mold until probably Sunday or Monday :( But on the bright side the tiny bit of detail I was able to add tonight made me way more confident in this fluke!!!

[Merman Andrew]

Not sure if you've chosen your monofin yet or if you will making the fluke without a monofin, but I can recommend ordering a fibreglass monofin from Special Fins. Here is the custom made Mermaid tail shape that he made just for me (it is a similar shape to your fluke!). To get a custom shape like this just contact him once you place your order. I suggested that he put this as a customisation on his website as lots of Mers would be interested! http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160723/d6e869917a9ef4a2c96e884d77b0ded4.jpg

Sent from my SM-G360G using Tapatalk

[curlycue83]

Ok awesome thanks!!!

[merwandering]

Taking extra time on your sculpt is well worth it!!! Glad you aren't trying to rush:) and glad you are feeling good about it! It's so fun to watch these tails come to life!!

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I spent about 2 hours working on my fluke today and the picture doesn't do it justice!!
I added some scored in areas and I don't know if they will show upon the mold but If they do I hope it will add more depth. Though I will probably make the marks deeper after I let it sit for a little while. I would love to know everyones opinion since it is my first fluke!!
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[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

It's been about a week and I wasn't able to mold my fluke util yesterday(got really sick, then dad was in town) but today after work I got the chance to clean my mold!!! And I don't know if this always happens with plaster or what but all of the clay pulled out in one full piece!!!
One downside though was I ended up being very under prepared for the amount of plaster I would need and ended up using 3 8-pound things of plaster of paris! 38466

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

So this morning is kind of frustrating, my mom decided to clean the mold and in the process broke one of the edges off.......
I might be able to fix it but even fixed that area will end up looking very rough and may not match up as well on the silicone pieces :(

[Lili]

If it's like a clean break, it can totally be fixed, my mold was a disaster honestly, I salvaged it with some clay, you just need to add a bit of clay on top of the Crack and smooth it out, it worked for me..I pulled a lovely fluke with zero imperfections..your progress is looking good by the way :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38518 Here is the first side I pulled for my silicone fluke!!! It may not be perfect but I am so proud of how it turned out!!!! I need to get more silicone, I may have just enough to do the other half of the fluke but I will still need more to attach everything together.
On a side note I need advice for sewing my power mesh!! Like do I leave extra spots open on the bottom and glue them to the mono fin??:confused: I'm just not sure how to attach the power mesh and mono fin or if I even need to?

[Mermaid Lieke]

Oh god I love your process! You are going so fast! I have a question about you fluke, how thick is your base? I had a friend who molded her fluke way too thick, and because of her exprecience I think I made mine too thin, woops

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[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Oh god I love your process! You are going so fast! I have a question about you fluke, how thick is your base? I had a friend who molded her fluke way too thick, and because of her exprecience I think I made mine too thin, woops

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ALE-L21 met Tapatalk

I just measured it and the piece I have now is a little less than half a centimeter thick, so when the fluke is all put together it will be about a centimeter thick.
When I made it out of clay I actually used a pasta maker, and I just layered on two sheets of the thickest setting it had.

[Mermaid Lieke]

Thank you for the info. And I decided that I will buy a pastamaker for future moulding. It is so helpfull!

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[Mermaid Lieke]

Whoops, wrong thread. I can't delete it.

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[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

:help:How do I attach my fluke to my tail?? I can't seem to figure out how to do it without leaving gaps, does anyone have any advice??? I'm getting worried, I leave for school Wednesday and I really want to get this done before then. I have all the pieces I just need to put it all together. Also maybe PearlieMae will see this, but what do I use to brush the silicone onto the tail in order to keep the scales fully encased??

[merwandering]

Hey so a lot of times I use voice when I'm driving to post and then later I realize that things got jumbled or that I lost my train of thought so if it doesn't make then let me know also I'm terrible about punctuation and not in a place where I can go back and add it so good luck with that ha ha remember I've gotten nowhere near the experience Pearlie Mae has so you might want to wait but I'll try to help. OK I don't know where you are in the process but go ahead and seal together your fluke and your Finn. Once that's done I laid out my tail and my flute on the dining table. Though that's probably bad advice. But lay it out the way you want the finished product to look. on my tail I still had power message at the bottom but I mean some tails down so I'm not sure that that's important. I lined up my tail that my fluke in place trimmed the power mesh and then laid the extra scales on it to cover the top of the fluke . I worked on one side at a time and sealed all of that together really just making sure that it lined up properly with the flu where my feet should be and then added what I needed to make it look right. I let the first side cure then flipped it over and did the second side and at the end I ended up adding a scale on either side to better seal that area. It's just about making sure that you're putting the fluke on in the right place as far as the length of the tail. I sealed my whole tale first before adding the fluke, and I just used a paintbrush. I would also try it on with the mono fin after you see it all up before you attach the tail to the fluke to make sure you are putting it in the right place I hope you finish that at the same time don't push too hard because it's better to take a little extra time then rush through it. Good luck!!!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[merwandering]

If I can if it's still on my phone I'll attach a picture of when I was putting the fluke on the tail, but I did leave some gaps. you just have to either pull together scales or add scales to fill the space.

[merwandering]

38612

ok I'm sure everything else was an inarticulate mess- my life is kind of upside down right now, but you're so close! so i wanted to help if i can!
When i was putting the fluke and tail together, i just positioned them, and then filled in. so when we put this tail and fluke in position, we still had to add all of the scales that are on the fluke, and then- so you see where the fluke and tail meet? on the side, on the edge of the fluke, there is a scale that is folded over the fluke- it is a little hard to see because of the foam in the water. But just take the scales and keep arranging and pinning them to close the gaps and cover everything.

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

38612

ok I'm sure everything else was an inarticulate mess- my life is kind of upside down right now, but you're so close! so i wanted to help if i can!
When i was putting the fluke and tail together, i just positioned them, and then filled in. so when we put this tail and fluke in position, we still had to add all of the scales that are on the fluke, and then- so you see where the fluke and tail meet? on the side, on the edge of the fluke, there is a scale that is folded over the fluke- it is a little hard to see because of the foam in the water. But just take the scales and keep arranging and pinning them to close the gaps and cover everything.
When you attached your scales did you just attach the very top of the bottom ones?? or how did you attach it so you could add scales underneath?

[merwandering]

My power mesh is connected to the fluke, but other than that it's just one layer of scales like the rest of the tail. It sounds insufficient, but think about it this way- that's how people attach sheet scales, and you are just making your sheet out of individual scales. But the fluke will be connected to you- your feet are in the monofin. I kept feeling like it wasn't going to be well enough connected, but after trying it on once before it was put together, I was briefly obsessed with keepin it in two pieces!its strong enough

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I got my fluke all put together this morning!! just took it for a test swim and my mono fin began to slide out....... So im going to try and pour some silicone on each side of the mono fin and hopefully build up the areas that aren't really attached!!

[Mermaid Fenicia]

Here (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?13748-working-with-(for-me)-me-materials-(pic-heavy)) you can see how I attached my fluke to the body of my tail ;)

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I figured I should update. My tail is incomplete, and will remain so for a while. I finished the first week of classes though, but I don't even have my fabric tail or monofin, plus I haven't found a place to swim....... Swimming would help a lot right now, I guess college just isn't what I expected:(

[merwandering]

Hey- put that tail in the back burner for a while. If it would be fun get your monofin and find a place to swim- maybe even someone at school would enjoy monofin swimming too? But focus on adjusting. It's a huge change. But holds so, so many wonderful things. seek out connections with cool people! They are there! On most campuses there are different supports for tutoring etc to adjust to the work load. And then approach it just like we approach tail making- methodical, do your research, ask for help. Whatever is hard, look it up:) stress? Jump in front of it with positive self talk. Put routines in your day that support you getting what you need- time to study, eat well, sleep, connection, creative outlet. Before you know it you'll be in the swing of things. If it feels hard right now, look at it as a new challenge, a challenge to adjust. You will grow in ways that surprise you. When it gets uncomfortable, realize either maybe that's a place you have an opportunity for growth, and lean into it, and also make sure you are taking care of yourself. But meeting people will help! Don't worry about your tail- it will come, and maybe something about it will be perfect timing:) stay encouraged!!!!
and many, many hugs<3 hang in there.

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Hi Everyone! My tail has still had no progress but I will have a chance to work on it over christmas break, my issue is the only place to work is the garage and I know it will be cold out. Will the cold weather affect the silicones ability to cure??? :confused: I don't want to just end up making a mess and possibly ruining my scales with silicone that won't cure.

[PearlieMae]

The cold will slow the curing considerably, but Dragonskin will cure eventually. But it is better to work indoors.

Can't tell you anything helpful if you're using caulk. ALWYAS DO A SMALL TEST.

[Marinus Mortimer]

^Agree

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

Thought I would do an update even though its been so long since i've worked on this tail!:)
School is over the beginning of next month and then I will be finishing up my tail! I decided that I don't like the fluke I had made, while the scales have a really realistic look and feel to them the fluke to me looks slightly cheesy and extra fake. I'm going to be doing some re-sculpting of the fluke but will need t figure out how to secure it to my mono fin, the last fluke I made would slowly slide down my mono fin when I swam in it. Also I am planning on making a scale mold with some small scales so I can add more variety in scale size as I get closer to the fluke!! I'm hoping this will also give it a more realistic look.
And exciting news!!!!! When visiting my parents I found a flier for a mermaid in the small town they live in!!! Im considering reaching out to her, but since the flier was for her mermaid business i'm not sure the best way to do this. :confused: I figured it could be nice to meet another mermaid and have someone to swim with while I'm down here over the summer!

Also as usual any advice is welcome, especially when it comes to sculpting a new fluke, securing it to my mono fin, and reaching out to this fellow mer!!!!:dance:

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

:help:Also! I was considering adding hip fins or ankle fins! I've been trying to find a forum where someone really explains how to make them and add them to an individual scale tap, but I haven't been finding much of anything. If anyone has any advice on making them and attaching them to the tail I would love the advice!!

[PearlieMae]

It's easy, introduce yourself, tell her you're a new mermaid and say exactly what you said above... "it could be nice to meet another mermaid and have someone to swim with while I'm down here over the summer"!

[merman Harley]

It looks so beautiful that mermaid tail looksAmazing

Sent from my LGLS676 using MerNetwork mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=95032)

[Becoming_A_Mermaid]

I am no longer going to be finishing making this tail:( After going to college and my parents moving I really didn't have the time, or a place to finish this tail. Also I've decided I am not a strong enough tail swimmer to move to a full silicone tail yet! Because of this I have everything up for sale! You can find the scales and everything under classifieds and I am more than happy to negotiate on the price as well as help in any way for someone buying the materials to complete the tail for themselves. I realize it made more sense to sell everything instead of making a tail in my measurements that could only be sold to a select few people. I am really interested in selling so don't be afraid to reach out to me with an offer!!!