It begins...

[Mermaasai]

Here it is... My tail design.. I know its not to scale (no pun intended) yet but its a vision..
I will be going and buying the materials within the next few weeks, and I will document my progress..
I will be using ALEX/neoprene for this tail until I can master the wonders of silicone...

Colors are probably going to be bronze/black with some flecks of red in there some where.

Starting from the top.. I am toying with the idea of sewing a durable and stretchy fishnet or the like- material onto the top of the tail to hug my body around the upper waist and keep the tail from opening if it isnt snug enough at my hips.. Maybe attaching the fishnet to an elastic that is easy to replace once it wears out from use.
And then crusting the top of the netting etc with pearls (dark freshwater pearls or something) Maybe even just a spandex material idk yet.. just toying with the thought..

The base color of the tail will be bronze, with black fading. The tips of the dorsal and other fins as well as the fluke will be more red than bronze.. like a brick color..

There will be a discolored, pinkish harpoon scar about midway up the tail on either side to indicate entrance and exit wound.

Also I was toying with the idea of encircling the tail at the bottom near the fluke with strings of pearls and gems etc just for decoration.

I'm thinking of going with a very light scaling pattern.. small scales.. and very gently applied so that they are just barely visible and the tail is mostly smooth.

I made the fluke pretty big too, I just like the larger style..

SO... Thats my vision..

Any suggestions or ideas are welcome!
I cant wait to start the creation process!

[Odette]

i like the color idea. i think it will look stunning.

[Mermaid Saphira]

Sounds fin-tastic! I can't wait to see your progress :D

[Mermaid Sirena]

Sounds like it's going to be beautiful! I can't wait to see it :)

[Mermaasai]

Just placed and order for a finis wave monofin.. should be here next week.

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Woot!! :yay:
BTW what is the back story on that scar?? :)

[Spindrift]

I love your harpoon scar idea! I hope it works out amazingly :)

[Prince Calypso]

omg i love it and colors are to die for. great work i can't wait to see the progress you make

[SweeteSiren]

What a creative idea! I love how you've made a back-story for your tail!

[Mermaid Star]

I really love your concept! The tail looks beautiful and I really love the color scheme! :) Be sure to test the small netting on a "small scale" (pun) before doing the whole tail. I have seen some people who have used the smaller netting and if they are too small the net will just pull the alex up and not leave a scale at all. I can't wait to see your progress! It is going to look awesome!!! Great Drawing!!!! (I know I can't draw that well!)

[Mermaasai]

thanks for all the encouragement mers!
I am so excited.
I just got back from jo ann fabrics with some supplies, mostly to make a fabric tail first so I can have something to practice with in the pool or beach until my ALEX tail is all done.
I did see neoprene (the one with the starburst thingies) at the store too! I'm a little unsure about it, has any one used it yet?

As for the harpoon scar- I will be posting up my mer-sona tonight on the 'mermaid persona' thread and all the gritty details will be there!

Since I'll be making the fabric tail first, I'll keep updates of that, with pics etc, and then when I get all the supplies I need for the ALEX one I'll start on that one.
I'm so flippering excited!

[Mermaasai]

~Nanyokie (aka mermaasai) and how she got her scar~ **also posted in the mersona thread**
(This is my mersona.. or at least.. a smidgen of it, and since every one was asking how I got my scar.. here it is... just a warning: the story is a sad one, but Nanyokie lives on!)

Named after the red color of the breaking dawn, Nanyokie was born and raised just off the coast of east Africa, most specifically Kenya.
The waters there were safer for her small pod than other parts of Africa, though not by much.

The African merpeople were hunted almost to extinction by the continents human inhabitants, thanks to superstition, for their bones, scales, flesh, and hair..
Only by avoiding humanity and keeping their homes in the deeper waters of the Indian Ocean did her pod survive as long as it did.
Her pod consisted of her father and mother, a small sister named Enkaii and an elder brother named Malees, as well as a few uncles and aunts and their children.

Nanyokie was a curious young mermaid though, and as you can imagine, the shores of Africa couldn't be ignored for ever.
One day, while her family was busy going about their day to day meanderings she managed to slip away unnoticed.

She found the shore of Mombasa and reveled in its underwater volcanic rock caves and soft white shores.
Nanyokie laughed, watching children play in the surf from behind a coral outcropping, and caught the dorsals of dolphins in a great game of tag.

While exploring a partially submerged cave, the tides began to turn, and unbeknown to Nanyokie, she became trapped in a pool within the cave.
When she realized she was trapped within the cave, she laughed and decided to wait out the tide with a the few other fish that had been the same misfortune.
But it became late and she became hungry and impatient, as well as worried that her family might miss her and be upset at her for leaving them for so long.

Just as she was pondering whether or not to drag her tail across the sharp, black glass rocks that lined the bottom of the cave between her pool and the open ocean, she heard the sound of men approaching.
Frightened she dove into the water, hiding as closely to the bottom as possible, even kicking the sand up around her to settle on her body and camouflage her at the bottom of the pool.

Men entered the cave, holding flashlights and carrying various scuba gear.
The laughed and joked as they walked through the cave, ignoring the pool and moving deeper into the black maw.

Nanyokie just watched with large eyes, both worried and fascinated.
Fortunately no one took notice of her as they went spelunking deeper into the cave and their sounds dwindled off.

Time passed and the tide began to turn, finally filling the caves floor enough for Nanyokie to scootch over it with out damaging her tail or hands.

Reaching the mouth of the cave she dove into the surf.
Surfacing a few yards away from the mouth of the cave she scanned the horizon and saw boats, at least six of them, pulling in what she thought was their days catch.
As she drew closer she heard shouting and saw them jabbing their long spears into reddened water in between their boats and nets.
Nanyokie worried what friend of hers may have been destined to die at the hands of these men but as she drew closer, horror took her over.

There, tangled lifelessly in the nets of the fishermen, was her elder brother Malees.

Forgetting herself, the men, the boats, the netting... she swam furiously to her brother.
Screaming she tore into the nets with her teeth and nails.
She didn't hear the men as they shouted gleefully at each other about their luck and pointed into the water at her frantic form.
She didn't see them pulling nets around her, nor the man in an opposite boat lifting a spear above his shoulder.
All she saw was red.
Red and her brothers pallid face.

Nanyokie scrabbled at the body, pulling the nets from it and twisting it from their unforgiving grasp.
The men tried to pull the netting up to ensure their catch but she managed to pull him and herself away from the tangled mess.

Then pain rippled through her tail. There was a sharp yank and her body was dragged a foot to her left.

Nanyokie screamed out in anguish, the weight of the spear protruding from her tail dragging her down at first, but then once the rope attached to its end became taut she was being slowly dragged toward a boat.

Again she screamed, and dropped her brothers arms, letting him drift to the ocean floor as she scratched furiously at the rope and spear.
She grabbed a length of the rope and began to gnaw, using everything she had to keep herself as far below the surface as possible. The blood from her brother and now her tail was sufficiently masking her from another well aimed spear, though the possibility of a lucky thrust was not far off.

Her carnivorous teeth did the job, the rope ripping to shreds in her mouth and she felt the weight of the spear in her tail weighing her down.

She dove then, as deeply as she could, using her hands to swim rather than her tail. She caught up with Malees' lifeless form and grabbed his hand.
It was cold.
She pulled herself into his chest, and held his arms around her shoulders as they sank into the darkness both below them and in her unconsciousness.

When Nanyokie finally gained consciousness, she fought to keep her eyes closed.
But glittering light and pain won her over, and she let herself observe her situation.

She was resting on the beach of a small cove, the water was warm and there was light trickling through the thick foliage above her. Her brother was no where to be seen.
There was tight, foul smelling seaweed wrapped around her tail, The spear was removed and even though it was painful, it wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it would be..
She tried to move her tail and nearly blacked out in agony, muffling a cry in her hand, because at that moment she realized there was some one watching her from a perch to her left..
She wasn't alone...

[Mermaid Photine]

What a well-written backstory! Please, tell me what happens next!

[Mermaasai]

I tested the stuff i got at joanns tonight!
The stuff i was really curious about was the Tulip glitter spray paint.

I tested it on a small piece of fabric, dried it, soaked it in water and moved it around etc.. Some sparkles did come off, but i think its because i didnt let it dry completely before submerging it. It was fairly minimal though..
And then I pulled it out and dried it off with a hair drier.
It maintained sparkliness very nicely!
I'm going to use it on the fabric tail im making, and I'll let you know how it holds up after being truly used in a pool.
If anything- even if the sparklies do come off after a while, its a spray.. so it can just be reapplied later!

The first photo is the dried unwashed sparkles and the second photo is the dried-washed sparkles.

Also- just out of curiosity, how heavy do you guys paint your fabric tail? is it a pretty heavy coat or just a little?
Do you see a lot of seeping paint behind the fabric on your work space?
Do you hang up the tail to dry or leave it on the work space?
What about heat setting? I used a hairdryer for the test spots, just to speed the process along...

[Mermaasai]

What a well-written backstory! Please, tell me what happens next!

I'll be keeping a bit of a mer-journal here shortly, it will include more about this particular event in nanyokie's life, as well as her other adventures around the world.
The fun part- to me- is that since Ive done such extensive travels, it will actually be real accounts of my life, just with a mertwist!

[Mermaasai]

ALSO:
I just made this new fabric tail design... its what I'm going to make to practice in until i make an ALEX tail... (though i have been considering making the leap into silicon first... considering..)

ehem... SO I'm going with a slightly mer-dragon/eel-like fluke!
I'm going to make an insert (that can be attached to my monofin, once its inserted into the fabric, with a velcro strap) that will keep the spines fairly spread out, but maintain the flexi-ness and flow with out buckling :D

The grey looking fluke part is going to be a scarf material that will be opaque and a bit sparkly... and the yellow will be gold lumiere painted, with black scales painted into certain areas, and the gold faded into the black material (though the whole thing will be sparkly of course)

the top will be fishnet (like a stocking kind) that has gold lumiere faded into it as well, topped with an elastic band. (as well as an elastic band in the top of the actual tail fabric part) to keep everything in place while I swim.. I imagine I will crust the fishnet top and tail top with various sparkly crystal stuff or pearls... or something sparkly... SPARKLIES *big boogly eyes*

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Mer-mazing!!! Glad the glitter spray worked out, I was curious abotut that 2 :)

[SweeteSiren]

I can't decide which I like better - your story telling or your drawings. Good luck on the tail!

[Mermaasai]

Ok so I got the bejeweler thingy at joanns and I tested jeweling a piece of spandex and while admittedly I did burn a hole through the spandex the first time i tried it, because i held the iron on too long, the second attempt was flawless. The sparkles dont come off, they are attached firmly and are fine in water and during stretching. I even rubbed them together and used my nails to try to pry one off and no go.
So awesomeness.

[Toxotes]

Your design of the grey-yellow mer-dragon-tail is awesome!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Ok so I got the bejeweler thingy at joanns and I tested jeweling a piece of spandex and while admittedly I did burn a hole through the spandex the first time i tried it, because i held the iron on too long, the second attempt was flawless. The sparkles dont come off, they are attached firmly and are fine in water and during stretching. I even rubbed them together and used my nails to try to pry one off and no go.
So awesomeness.

Thank you so much for testing this out! Now I can continue on with my plans of sparkley gems on my tail! So glad it worked out! :)

[Mermaasai]

me too, I was hoping i could sparkle out my nieces tails when I make them, and it shall be done!
I used the Tulip iron tip thingy and the gold crystals to practice with.

I used a baking pan as a backing..

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Sweet! Thanx for the info! Not I can be-dazzle my tail and my little cousins tail! :) About how much did it cost??

[Mermaasai]

^ Sweet! Thanx for the info! Not I can be-dazzle my tail and my little cousins tail! :) About how much did it cost??

oohhhh gosh, just those two items were probably around 10 or 15? You can buy a pack of gems for much cheaper than just this little test pack, like 300 or something gems in assorted colors for something like 25$ but you still have to buy the iron for around 10$. They also have metal ones which I might use on my fabric tail. You have to remember that when you touch the gem on the spandex, only to hold it down for like.. 3-4 seconds.. 5-6 TOPS or it could burn through your spandex.
ALSO!!!:
They have iron on sparkle sheets that you could cut out a stenciled design and iron onto the tail... I'm going to test that next time I get to joanns.
Updates to follow with pics of COURSE ;)

[Mermaasai]

Had an idea for how to make my tail spines flexible and moveable but ridged enough to not crumble into a nonshape.
the fanned out fluke area is made up of long thin spines that need to retain the fanned out shape but still be flowy and not provide a ton of drag while I'm swimming...

So I thought maybe I could cut out the fanned spines from this ---> http://www.amazon.com/FLEXIBLE-TRANSLUCENT-POLYETHYLENE-PLASTIC-STENCIL/dp/B003M09SJ4 and have the fabric sewn around it, so it would be very flexible but still maintain the fanned out form... If it breaks or as issues I could always remove the plastic from where the monofin is being taken in and out, and replace it something else more durable/flexible..

Any suggestions?

[Mermaid Saphira]

oohhhh gosh, just those two items were probably around 10 or 15? You can buy a pack of gems for much cheaper than just this little test pack, like 300 or something gems in assorted colors for something like 25$ but you still have to buy the iron for around 10$. They also have metal ones which I might use on my fabric tail. You have to remember that when you touch the gem on the spandex, only to hold it down for like.. 3-4 seconds.. 5-6 TOPS or it could burn through your spandex.
ALSO!!!:
They have iron on sparkle sheets that you could cut out a stenciled design and iron onto the tail... I'm going to test that next time I get to joanns.
Updates to follow with pics of COURSE ;)

Sweet! I have just enough $$! YAY! I'll be picking mine up tuesday :)

[Mermaasai]

I just got done cutting my stencil for the scales out! I decided to go with more of a snake scale design.

I cut it from cardstock then reinforced it with a coat of acrylic paint.

im going to do some practice runs tomorrow.. ^.^

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Sweeeettttt ^_^

[Mermaasai]

here is the cloth i got for the fluke. Its sheer and very lightweight as well- in my experience- fairly waterproof/rot proof

As well as the two colors I got to paint the tail.. I'm thinking one more color (just to give it more depth..)

aaaaaaaaaand I found this crystal shell!!! it has some SERIOUS sparkle ^.^

I'm going to sew swarovski's and other golden shimmery things all around the top of the tail, as well as the netting..

[Mermaasai]

spaaarrrkkllleeeessss i found these in my costume jewelery box :)
perfect right?!?!!

[Mermaid Sirena]

Everything is so sparkly :O I can't wait to see more updates!

[Mermaid Saphira]

SPARKLES!!! *BIG GOOGLEY EYES*

[Mermaasai]

you wont believe...

So I went and bought the supplies I need to start airbrush practicing but i didnt get a hose. Which wouldnt have been a big deal IF I had decided to open the packages and see that they didnt come with the hose I needed BEFORE I cleaned the house..
but now its after closing time and I severely doubt walmart has a hose I can use...

[Mermaid Saphira]

awwwz :(

[Mermaasai]

ok so i got my hose finally and did a first try. It was a little too fuzzy even with the stencil but I'm going to give it another go with out watering down the paint as much. I really watered it down.
Use a few more colors to give it more depth.

This was the first time I have ever used an airbrush so i cant wait to practice some more to get some skillz.

Fun!

I have an Iwata Neo airbrush with the Iwata compressor.
I also went ahead and got an Iwata pistol grip filter to keep the airflow water vapor free :D

[Mermaasai]

my monofin came in.. my monofin came in.. highho the dairyo my monofin came in :yay:

[Mermaasai]

i finally did the outline for the tail with measurements and all... next stop- cutting material and sewing ^.^

[MafaldaMermaid]

What a fantastic design you made for your tail!!
Extremely artistic! Can't wait to see it all complete! :D

[Mermaid Saphira]

WOOHOOO! Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[SweeteSiren]

By the way Mermaasai, I wanted to warn you that we had a recent incident of someone's tail design being stolen, so be careful putting your pictures out. If you can, you might think about putting a watermark over the image.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Please do be very careful. My design was the case in point and I'm still dealing with it. Though it is technically copyrighted to you, it still helps to have a watermark or a (c) symbol to scare people off.

[Mermaasai]

I know, I have been keeping up on the thread about that. I have all my timeline documentation as well as a wonderful family lawyer, and I shall watermark it (probably tonight at some point tonight.. TY ladies for lookin out for a mer ^.^ I've been contemplating what to do to keep the tail from crumbling in on its self.. so far I've thought of plastic sheeting cut to fit that will keep them taught but still flowy, or lines of neoprene in the spines...idkkkkk and I need to figure it out before I set it to the sewing machine so I can leave space for it in the spines OR sew it in what ever it is..Dilemma..

[Nim]

Sparkles,I L.O.V.E. Sparkles *w*
@Lorelei I never thought to the copyright…I'm too naive <_<" awww (I don't know if this is a merit or a defect)

[SweeteSiren]

I've been contemplating what to do to keep the tail from crumbling in on its self..
I'm in the process of sewing a vinyl lining into mine - the kind that you can buy to make furniture covers out of. It seems to be working, but I don't have anywhere for a test swim until May.

[Mermaasai]

FIRST EVAR SWIM IN MONOFINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN ^_^;

**my lovely hubby took this vid foar me :D i swam for about an hour it was awesomeness.
The fin fit great I DID wear some socks with them to keep from getting blisters but no big deal.
The only dumb thing was the amount of chlorine in the pool hurt my eyes for hours afterwards...
I went and bought some swim goggles...
NEXT stop... buying a sewing machine and putting my tail together yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5WN2_qZHUg&amp;feature=youtu.be

[MafaldaMermaid]

Goshh! :D Seeing this makes me wanna swim with my tail (Which I have never tried yet)
It seems to be soooo much fun :D

[Mermaid Saphira]

"FIRST EVAR SWIM IN MONOFINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN ^_^"
Wow! Your firt swim? Really? You did a heck of a lot better than I did XD

[Mermaid Annariea]

just a thought, Mermaasai, for the spines... perhaps you could use the sort of plastic boning thats used in corsets? then cover it in the material.

[Mermaasai]

"FIRST EVAR SWIM IN MONOFINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN ^_^"
Wow! Your firt swim? Really? You did a heck of a lot better than I did XD
Yeah! I was proud of myself. My community pool is right down the road and kept at a toasty 82 degrees.
I am actually surprised I did so well too- you see two years ago I was hit by a car on my motorcycle (a perfect Tbone into me) and my foot was crushed between the bike and the car.
I was lucky to get away with only a few scratches and a crushed foot but still- the bones were too small to use pins and the foot was pretty mangled inside.
I still cant walk with out pain and swelling. BUT its been getting much better and the monofin didnt hurt too much, infact I think that the exercise and the water will really do my foot some good.
With how close my pool is I'll be swimming every day and THAT excites me to no end.



just a thought, Mermaasai, for the spines... perhaps you could use the sort of plastic boning thats used in corsets? then cover it in the material.

I was thinking about doing that, but the problem is I want a really flowy bend but no collapse. So the boning would be too stiff for that flowing bend.
I DID however pick up some pretty thick vinyl and I think I'm going to cut the spines out of that. All connected in a U shape and sewn into the edge of the fluke.. I'll draw up some of the idea in a bit, and of course let you know how it goes. ^.^

BTW every one- I got my heavy duty singer 4411 yesterday!
I have been getting used to it but i did bend a needle earlier on accident and feel a bit like a dip-sh...

As soon as I'm comfortable with it, I'll start sewing together my tail!

[Mermaid Annariea]

@Mermaasai, oh okay, haha. that sounds awesome :D

[Mermaasai]

I swam for the first time in my tail today!
Its a very unfinished tail, I just wanted to test it out.
It fit really well and was snug all around and wasn't difficult to swim in at all.
Its a work in progress though, and I plan on making another one since now I have the basic ideas down and I can elaborate.
Here is a brief vid of me talking about the tail (not swimming in unfortunately, I went to the pool alone today)
and a few pics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ5hXyrCRCQ&amp;feature=youtu.be

[Mermaid Sirena]

I love the design! Love love love love love! It's just so creative and it looks so awesome. You might find this thread helpful for the spines (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1376-Stand-up-Dorsal-fin&highlight=stand+dorsal).

[Prince Calypso]

i love the way it moves in the water which (in my opinion) is the sign of of a great mermaid tail whether fabric, latex or silicone. its beautiful, honestly and it brings to mind some kind of dark fish that ive seen but can't quite remember at the moment.

[ShyMer]

That looks fantastic! I like the transparent fabric- what did you use?

I hope you can get a video of yourself swimming in it soon :)

[merboy78xy]

that's fantastic! It is such a cool look. And I think that I agree with the idea of boning for the spines. Just create thin long pockets for the boning, and slip it in, and you got the "struts" that would provide some stiffness. THe same as corset making (and I've boned my fair share of corsets! oy!) you'll want to build the pockets to continue well into the large circular area where your mono-fin is. The fin will provide the stable base for the boning . So you'd want them to begin half over the monofin and continue out into the sheer fabric area. As for whether you want them at all, is up to you. I thought it was a neat look the way the fabric moved around the monofin. Reminded me of the undulations a jellyfish makes! so cool!

[ShyMer]

Do you think the boning would need to be fastened in some way to the monofin? I wonder if the ends on the monofin side would stick up when she kicks, what with the monofin not being glued to the spandex and all. I hope that makes sense to someone other than me :/
Do you think it would have something to do with the stiffness of the boning?

[Mermaid Star]

I am not sure how small your ankles are as compared to mine but I have sewn my monofin into my tail but it is still removable. You sew a pocket for the monofin to fit into and when you want to put your monofin in, you just roll it up like a taco (pulling the sides into the center) and once it is in place. You just let go and it will open up and fit into the pocket. You might have to wiggle it around to make sure it is in place. When you want to take it out. Roll it up like a taco again and work the monofin out. I think that might solve your problem of the monofin peaking out.

[Mermaasai]

mermaids and gentlemers!

I finally got a brief swimming vid!
Above water and not the best shot but heeeeey its something until I can get my hubby to the pool with me (that was my bro in law this time and he was half asleep >.o)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Eqc1MNsMs&amp;feature=youtu.be


The material I used for the sheer part of the tail was just something I found at joanns, when I go back I'll look it up, they had all sorts of pretty colors and it glistens, I think its pretty durable as far as water rot is concerned. The only issue is that if you dont hem the edges of it, it tends to fray. Which actually doesnt bother me at all, I like the worn look.

I thought about doing the boning but im still unsure, I even thought about sewing a thin(ish) cut sheet of plastic (like for tracing stencils) into the tail for the ultra flowy bendy-ness because I just dont think I'll get the bendyflow from the corset boning idea.
THOUGH I think that using corset boning for a dorsal may just be in the tea leaves for me.

Star- I have been thinking about that, but the monofin is very stiff and I do have tinsy ankles. Though as soon as I make another tail I may try it with the old one to see how it holds up.

I've decided to paint this tail on the weekend. The pool I go to is closed sun and mon so those are perfect days for me to paint it and add gems and other assorted beautifuls to it.

I've been wearing goggles and a nose pinch at the pool but dag, open your eyes under water even once and its hell for the rest of the day.. sooo much chlorine!

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Looking good! ;) :D :)

[Mermaid Nyla]

I've kinduv been stalking this thread but omygosh! this is looking so amazing! i love the fin and it looks amazing in the water! i can't wait to see it painted. :)

[Mermaid Jewel]

I love the way the fluke looks when you're swimming! I think if you use boning, it will be too stiff and won't flow like that though

[Mermaasai]

I love the way the fluke looks when you're swimming! I think if you use boning, it will be too stiff and won't flow like that though
Ty! yeah i agree on the boning..


I've kinduv been stalking this thread but omygosh! this is looking so amazing! i love the fin and it looks amazing in the water! i can't wait to see it painted. :)
Thanks! I feel honored ^.^
I'm going to paint it today so I'll definitely be posting up tonight :D

[Mermaasai]

ok so I know I was gonna post a few days ago buuutttt life gets in the way some times..

So here are a few photos... front side of tail, first pass with my airbrush.
I've since done some hand painting to the scales with copper and bronze colors to make them have more depth as well as darkened up the lines with some black.

I still have a ways to go (I stuffed it with a sheet and a pillow so its a lil lumpy looking..)

[Mermaid Jewel]

Ooo shiny!! I love the colors, they pop really well :)

[ShyMer]

Looking fantastic! How thick is the paint on the tail so far?

[Mermaid Sirena]

:O that is amazing, you are defiantly going places that's for sure.

[Mermaasai]

Looking fantastic! How thick is the paint on the tail so far?
Thanks! Its pretty thin, I'm trying to keep the thickness to a minimum and really work the paint into the material in a way that wont chip off.
Its definitely a different texture than just the fabric but the inside has little to no paint leakage so far so its still soft and supple.
Airbrushing seems to leave the lightest paint but when I get into the details the paintbrush leaves heavier deposits so its definitely going to get thicker as I add more for depth etc.
Once I get all the color depth I want I will probably go over the black again to make everything pop.



:O that is amazing, you are defiantly going places that's for sure.
Thanks so much!

I really appreciate all the support mers!

I'm going to be opening an etsy soon (not for merthings, though if I occasionally get merspired I'm sure I'll throw some merthings up there..) with airbrushed tshirts of memes or movie quotes etc... I'll link it soon ^.^

[Mermaasai]

I made a silicone bra top and posted some info up about it under another thread -----> http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1506-Silicon-bra-possibilities&p=15668#post15668

Its not done but I just wanted to share the progress.

I'm still painting the tail, pics coming soon.

And I SERIOUSLY eyed the neoprene at joanne fabrics today....
Alex tail may be coming sooner than I thought ;)

[Mermaasai]

found this gorgeous opalized ammonite fossil pendant from earth rocks you.

Its so little mermaid-y I had to have it :p

2017

[Odette]

its all coming together so well!!!

[Mermaasai]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYq9My5ZF58

[Alveric]

Looks nice, very organic and flowy. Does it hinder your speed any?

Alveric

[Kanti]

Wow I really like it! O:
The whole thing is something I've never seen before.
The fluke design looks awesome in the water and I love how you used alligator/reptile scales~
Not to mention black/gold is an awesome color combination.

Great tail :'D

[Mermaid Marla]

I just have to commend you on making such a non-traditional fluke! I find myself staring at it because it is so unique and flowy... I really like how you did the extension and the see-through parts. I think the whole concept is very cool! Kudos to you!

[Mermaasai]

Looks nice, very organic and flowy. Does it hinder your speed any?
Alveric

Thanks! Not that I've noticed, I mean there is a bit of drag (the drag that comes along with the general tail fabric) but its minimal.
The whole thing is very light in the water and I can scoot along pretty quickly.
Keep in mind I have a shattered foot that I'm workin with so my ankle and top of my left foot isnt very strong so I dont think I can swim as quickly as I would if I was 100% functional.


And thanks for all the support mers! I loved making the tail, and keeping things different or unique is something I strive for. The fluke was kind of inspired by dragons to be honest. I enjoy organic design, and keeping things flowy and allowing for maximum smooth lines is just fun.

The tails fluke (for any one curious) was made by tracing it out with the thick black 'spines' and not the opaque part. Then after cutting out and sewing the top of the tail I sewed the opaque cloth onto one side of the spines (inside bottom) leaving the top spines loose (i would recommend touching the edges of the opaque material with a fray stopper unless you WANT it to fray like i do), then sewed velcro along the edge of the thick part to keep the monofin hidden inside. Super easy and it makes a really great effect under water.. layers.. also its easy to remove the monofin when you want to ^.^
Also, getting no-fold elastic band and sewing that into the top of the tail keeps it in place very nicely while still maintaining its awesomeness :p
Oooh and I also found that touching the spots where you finish your thread lines (where you knot your thread so it wont unravel) with the fray stopper helps to keep your sewn lines nice and secure, especially if you aren't a confident seamstress(seamster??) yet.

Just throwin some random knowledge out there ^.^

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Loving it, especially the scale type!

[Nim]

Beautiful the Mer-Top!

[Mermaasai]

So I made a scaled top from an old bathing suit and alex plus.. and some acrylic paint...

Its curing atm but I thought I would share a sneak peak of the before-paint top ^.^
I'm going to find some other things like pearls and sparklies to sew into it too once everything is painted and lovely.

2245

Also I did mah nailz ^.^

2246

And lastly, I think I'm going to make some merclaws (set inside webbed hand gloves) for my scary mermaiding ^.^

2247

[Mermaasai]

painted the top with golds, coppers, and even a hint of black.

2248

to be honest I'm a little unsure of how long to allow it to cure/dry..

I did heat set the whole thing.. so it should be good to go (paint/colorwise) but how long to wait until its drydrydrydrycured?
I have heard a week, but im unsure.

[michellerobison]

wow SUPER cool!!!!!! I love the swiming vids. Amazing,I wish I could make a tail....

[Mermaid Sirena]

Wow that is amazing! I love the top, you are very talented :) I should think let it cure for a week to be sure and then just let it dry as much as possible before using it.

[Mermaasai]

My Review of my Mermaid Parties Tail!
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1771-Mermaid-Parties-Review-(pic-heavy)&p=18987#post18987

[dreadfairy]

The tails fluke (for any one curious) was made by tracing it out with the thick black 'spines' and not the opaque part. Then after cutting out and sewing the top of the tail I sewed the opaque cloth onto one side of the spines (inside bottom) leaving the top spines loose (i would recommend touching the edges of the opaque material with a fray stopper unless you WANT it to fray like i do), then sewed velcro along the edge of the thick part to keep the monofin hidden inside. Super easy and it makes a really great effect under water.. layers.. also its easy to remove the monofin when you want to ^.^
Also, getting no-fold elastic band and sewing that into the top of the tail keeps it in place very nicely while still maintaining its awesomeness :p
Oooh and I also found that touching the spots where you finish your thread lines (where you knot your thread so it wont unravel) with the fray stopper helps to keep your sewn lines nice and secure, especially if you aren't a confident seamstress(seamster??) yet.

Just throwin some random knowledge out there ^.^

Looks SO great, my favorite fabric tail ever BTW!

So I just want to be sure I understand completely. You cut the spines out of your body material on both the top and bottom pattern pieces, but only sewed it to the transparent fluke material on the bottom pattern piece? Doesn't the top pattern pieces spines flop around in the water and not stay lined up with the bottom pieces spines? It doesn't look like it in the video, just wondering how they stay lined up together...

[Echidna]

And lastly, I think I'm going to make some merclaws (set inside webbed hand gloves) for my scary mermaiding ^.^

2247

:thumbs-up:
Very unique and cool.
You're a real artist, and that tail must be one of the best I've ever seen.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I know, I have been keeping up on the thread about that. I have all my timeline documentation as well as a wonderful family lawyer, and I shall watermark it (probably tonight at some point tonight.. TY ladies for lookin out for a mer ^.^ I've been contemplating what to do to keep the tail from crumbling in on its self.. so far I've thought of plastic sheeting cut to fit that will keep them taught but still flowy, or lines of neoprene in the spines...idkkkkk and I need to figure it out before I set it to the sewing machine so I can leave space for it in the spines OR sew it in what ever it is..Dilemma..
You could use the material they use for pool noodles and such. That styrofoam stuff. ;) so excite obese he finished ptoduct!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Sorry Imeant excited I see. Lol