Quick prototype midrange hybrid tail for a possible etsy store

[mermaid mazu]

Hello again lovelies. I put my green dragon tail on hold this week and made this tropical fish inspired tail. I've been considering opening an etsy store selling mid range hybrid tails that are neoprene/spandex blended fabric and silicone caulk. This is what I've done and I would appreciate some feedback. Ty40037 neoprene sewn to my measurements and fit to my monofin

[mermaid mazu]

40038 fluke shape sewn on
40039 started my paintjob on the neoprene
40040 adding a skin of silicone with glitter

[mermaid mazu]

40041 free sculpting my fluke over the neoprene

[mermaid mazu]

40042 adding depth with paint

[mermaid mazu]

40043 added fins to finish it off

[Mermaid Clara]

40043 added fins to finish it off
Wow, that looks amazing! I love the blended waist! Does this have a zipper in the back?


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[mermaid mazu]

No, the neoprene is stretchy and the silicone didnt take out too much of the stretch. It's not as easy to get over my butt as ot was before I skinned it but it'll still go. I had considered putting one in but after experimenting I thought it would be ok. I figured if it wouldn't go I could open it back up and put it in.

[Robartt]

Oh wowww!!!...Fantastic jobbb...well done...thanks so much for posting this :D

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[Ilyena]

These are gorgeous, but I don't know if its just me, but the fabric doesn't look like neoprene. Does it have the rubber in between?

[Robartt]

I have to agree with Ilyena...I was just thinking of the same thing...It does not look like neoprene to me too

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[mermaid mazu]

As I said in the description it's a neoprene/spandex blended fabric. It's not rubbery like a wet suit but it's way thicker and foamy feeling than spandex

[Hydra1337]

Beautiful work! The stripes are my favorite part.

[polyhymnia113]

Wow! That turned out great. I love the ridged fluke you came up with and your painting / shading is really well done.

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[Mermaid Summerlilly]

Will you ever sell these? This is beautiful. (Only asking cause you put in the title "for a possible etsy store") haha

[mermaid mazu]

It is what I'm considering. I was planning on taking it for a swim a couple of days ago so that I could get some good pictures of it but I've been sick so that got put on hold.

[mermaid mazu]

I was thinking of offering a basic tail with custom paintjob and a traditional fluke shape sculpted in silicone with the options of three fluke upgrades, fins, and skinning the entire tail as add ons. These tails would range from $350 for the basic to $600 for the works and options inbetween

[Mermaid Summerlilly]

Ooooohhh! XD Go for it!

[Obelia]

Love the idea!! And for those commenting about the fabric - my money is on it being 'Scuba Knit' (look it up) - not a true neoprene but with many similar characteristics, minus the rubber.... :)

[mermaid mazu]

Thank you for the support :) yes, in the title of the fabric it called it scuba neoprene and then in the description it said it is a neoprene/spandex blend. There is no rubber but it's thicker and there is a foam like layer in the middle

[Mermaid Marius]

It kind of sounds like you're using neoprin. In which case, your tail is going to pretty badly disfigure over time as neoprin has low elasticity. It'll stretch but it won't snap back. I'd highly recommend getting several swims and uses in and monitoring how your tail is holding its shape before you start selling these. Don't want angry customers.

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[mermaid mazu]

Ty for your feedback. The company I purchased it from didn't say neoprin but I will look into it. Although with this prototype, I skinned it in silicone so I don't think it will be able to really loose it's shape. Perhaps I will change the options and skin all that I make?

[mermaid mazu]

I just watched the video on the reference thread on here about neoprene verses neoprin and put a scrap piece of the fabric to the same testing as she did and it retained it's shape even after I twisted and pulled it in every direction. I know it's not pure neoprene but it didn't act like the neoprin in the video but now I'm nervous about the idea of selling something that won't hold up. I think I will only offer the tails with the silicone skin just to be safe. It'll make the base price higher but I don't want to sell a bad product. My koi tail has held up nicely made of this material with the silicone over it.

[Mermaid Marius]

I saw your koi tail! It was lovely!

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[Mermaid Momo]

It's so pretty! Would you also be having scale add-on options for an additional cost?

If I was you, for good professional photos I would invest in 2-3 yards of a solid colored cotton fabric, that way you can use it as a backdrop for your photos and it would look really professional without leaving your workspace/ hiring a photographer, and it's a lot easier to edit the photos afterwards (for me anyways) because sometimes with a non solid background making a photo brighter will wash out certain aspects of the background.

[Ilyena]

I agree, test for a while first. Scuba knit is ok, neoprin is often marketed as a cheap ( kinda alternative) "neoprene", (much like a certain tailmaker) which it's not and so many mers have gotten confused over this, as said you wouldn't want such a gorgeous product ruined after a few swims due to fabric. If at all possible to have a close up of one of the edges of the fabric?

[Natacia Rothero]

it is gorgeous

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[mermaid mazu]

I tried to get a good picture of the fabric edge but you can't really tell the details. I've also been looking at various distributors of the "neoprene" and can't tell from their pictures either which means I would always be nervous so I think the best thing would be to only offer it skinned in silicone. That way I know it will hold its shape. As for offering a scaled version, maybe down the road. I'm currently working on a tail for myself that I am scaling. It takes a lot longer so my turn around would be slower. We will see after I finish mine how I feel about the idea of doing more like it lol

[mermaid mazu]

Oh, as for pictures, I want to get pictures of it in the water but I got sick right after I finished it so we didn't go swimming.

[LouLouBelle]

The design and colours are absolutely gorgeous. [emoji173] Was it a Coral Beauty Angelfish you based it on?


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[mermaid mazu]

40049 I don't know what he is, but he is beautiful

[Mermaid Wesley]

Looks wonderful! I would keep testing your prototype and stress test some fabric swatches without a coating as well. It may not be actual neoprin OR neoprene, but fabrics do strange things in water. Always better to do lots of tests. Great work!

[mermaid mazu]

After looking into all of this I honestly think I will only offer it with the silicone coating. I know from my koi tail that it holds up made that way and I'd rather be safe than sorry. I think they look better with the silicone anyway. Ty very much everyone for your feedback, you very possibly saved me from having unhappy customers. That's the last thing I want! I want to make beautiful tails that'll take a beating lol

[mermaid mazu]

40131 40132 40133 a few pics of it on