Ariel Tail Construction Begins!!!

[julessweetie]

Hey Everyone :)


I am getting started making my first realistic tail :) Yay! I own a Princess Party Company and I have just added a Ariel character to my group of Princesses! I have her booked August 13th for a Pirates and Mermaids Pool Party at my local Country Club, so now the mad dash begins to get this tail finished!!! lol ;) So I figured I should document the process! lol ;)


Here are a few pictures of my Ariel and my concept tail (I AM NOT AN ARTIST!!!lol!) Oh! And my necklace for my Ariel!


My monofin just came in the mail and we tested it out in the pool and it worked well, but I need to modify the straps...


Please give me feedback and advice...as I am really going to need it! lol ;) Thanks ;)


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[julessweetie]

Hey Guys...

I have Neoprene on the way and got a great deal!

From the ebay ad....$42.00 + 19.15 Priority Mail Shipping
NEOPRENE SPONGE NYLON FABRIC 1 SIDE GREY (2MM) .093" (SHARK SKIN) ONE SIDE BLACK NEOPRENE NON SLIP TEXURE.
THIS IS UNDER THE WATER WET SUIT MATERIAL, (BRAND NEW) 42" X 73"



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380356257784#ht_812wt_1060

[APhishOutofWater]

It looks like it's gonna be really cool! Can't wait to see it when it's finished!

[julessweetie]

Thanks! :)

Well...my neoprene just was delivered so I will be cutting out my tail today! Stay Tuned! lol ;)

[julessweetie]

Hey Everyone!

Here is a Photo an a video of my Ariel swimming with her monofin! Enjoy!

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http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150251343982916&comments&ref=notif&n otif_t=like

[LindseyLu]

Julessweetie you are soooo pretty!!! <3 I can't wait to see you as Ariel, you will be PERFECT!!!! :):):)

[julessweetie]

Thanks Lindsey! The picture in my Avatar is of me, but the above picture is of my "Princess Ariel". She is the one in the video and in the picture! I own a Princess Party company so she will be the one doing the swimming for now. Though as soon as her tail is done...I am going to make one for myself! :)

[LindseyLu]

Well, your avatar is gorgeous too my dear ;) you're both true beauties

[LindseyLu]

And what a fun company to own!!! U girls must have a blast!!!!!! ;)

[julessweetie]

Awww! Thanks Lindsey! :) You are so sweet!

We have a lot of fun with our parties! I think sometimes we have more fun than the girls do!!! I have a great group of girls though, and that makes a HUGE difference!!! lol ;)

[Spindrift]

Are you also going to make her the dress she wears when she has legs? I've always liked that dress.

[julessweetie]

Hey Spindrift!

Yes I am going to make her the Pink dress she wears in the castle. Once her tail is done we will move on to that...just gotta get through the summer pool parties first! lol ;)

[julessweetie]

Okay...Here are some pics of my progress today!

Before....I gave myself a lot of extra room on top of the seam allowance to make sure I didn't cut it too small. I cut both sides from one sheet of neoprene I ordered from ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_812wt_1060 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380356257784#ht_812wt_1060)
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After...even my dog Abby got in on the action! lol ;) She was a HUGE help! lol ;)
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I also made a trip to the Dollar Store and found some AWESOME stuff...all for $4.00!!! Can't beat that! lol ;)

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I would recommend buying at least 2-3 baskets of shells depending on what you need them for...there were a lot of broken and unusable shells, but there were quite a few great ones! And for $2.00 you can't beat it!
After sorting through the basket...

Not usable...
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Great Finds!

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[julessweetie]

Okay...1st layer of Alex Plus applied to side 1 of tail. It is 105 degrees right now in Shreveport...so it is drying REALLY quickly!!! lol ;) Stay Tuned!

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[MerAndrew]

Wow you have great pictures of your mermaid tail great job Julie. :)

[julessweetie]

Thanks Andrew!!! :)

[merboy78xy]

I wanted to also give you snaps and kudos for goin for it!
I have been dreaming/imagining and planning for YEARS about making a tail, but have yet to actually start- and as they say: well begun is half done!
So I'd be proud if I were you! :)
Can't wait to see the finished product!

[julessweetie]

Awww! Thanks Merboy! :) I have to say...I would have NEVER attempted it if there weren't such great tutorials and advice on this site! Everyone has been so supportive and I have just been so inspired by everyone's beautiful tails, that I had to make one! ;)

[julessweetie]

Okay...

today I started on the back side of my tail! I applied a thick layer of Alex Plus to the entire tail...waited for it to get gummy and then sculpted rounded scales. So far I have gone through an entire case (12-pack) of Alex Plus. I have put 2 thin layers on the both sides of the tail and fluke and had enough for my scale layer on the back side. I will need at least another case in order to finish my tail...

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[julessweetie]

Hey Everyone...

After 3 days of letting the back side of my tail dry naturally in 105 degree Louisiana weather...most of my tail has dried and cured...there are a few spots in the scales that aren't done, but by tomorrow they should be done. So....I went ahead and started painting the "creases" (which is dried and cured) of my tail Gold Pearlized Createx paint mixed with latex and gold fine glitter. Hopefully...tomorrow I will be able to paint the scales Createx pearlized green. You can't see it in the photos but it shimmers like crazy!!! ;)

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[Little_Orca]

Looking great!

[julessweetie]

Thanks :) Keep you fingers crossed for me!!! :)

[MermaidAubrin]

Wow good job can't wait to see it finished !!!

[julessweetie]

My Mermaid tail...about half painted :)
It glitters like crazy in the sunlight!

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[julessweetie]

I know it's dark, but side #1 is done and it looks Awesome! I just couldn't wait til morning to share them!!!

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Now...work begins on side 2! lol ;) If only I had a larger work space...or I would even settle for another table! lol ;)

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[Little_Orca]

Shiney!

<---- Sea Magpie

[Spindrift]

SHINY!
Wow, how much glitter is there? Is it just gold glitter or green as well?

[julessweetie]

lol! A TON of Glitter!!! lol ;)

I have used 2 small containers of gold iridescent super fine glitter and one small container of green super fine iridescent glitter on the fluke! :) AND...that is just on one side! lol ;)

Here are some better photo's of the finished side of my tail that I tried to post last night....

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[MermaidAubrin]

O_O SO MUCH GLITTER I have ADOS attention deficit oooh shiny :)

[Spindrift]

Any new updates?

[julessweetie]

I did it! I made a mermaid tail...it works and didn't fall apart in the water!!! lol ;) Here are some photo's and a rough video of my mermaid swimming in her new tail. I still have to finish sewing it at the top, add her belt to keep it on tight at the waist...and do some touch up painting, but other than that it is pretty much finished!!! :) Yay!


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIlBDbVi8sM

[jukumerboii]

wow i love the finished work,,its so sparkly!!;)

[julessweetie]

Success! :)

I will have to do some touch ups before our next party next week! The pool water definitely degrades the latex with prolonged exposure...but not too badly :) Everyone LOVED it and the little girls really believed that there was a REAL mermaid in the pool! It was awesome! More pics from the party coming soon! :)

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[Little_Orca]

Those pool pictures are too fun. :) I bet they had a blast!

[julessweetie]

Thanks! They had a ton of fun! The other girl in the photo is my "Princess Belle". I had her there to make sure all of the kids didn't drown my mermaid!!! lol ;)

[Little_Orca]

Mertenders are definitely important! Mr. Orca tends to be mine, especially since swimming in his tail in public embarrasses him. *Giggle*

[julessweetie]

Party 2 was a success! :) Tail is holding up great! I know a lot of people are not fans of Alex Plus, but it has suited my needs PERFECTLY and I have had no issues with it. It is inexpensive, easy to use and looks great! :)

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[Mermaid Saphira]

Ur princess ariel makes a very pretty mermaid! BTW good job on the tail! Looks nice : )

[Spindrift]

I'm really happy for you! :) Any plans for more tails?

[julessweetie]

Thanks Guys :) I am really happy with it! :)

I actually do have plans for more tails! I am planning on having a Mermaid Photo booth at the Texas Renaissance Festival Next year...and have plans for at least 2 more tails for that :) I am thinking a gold one and have no idea for the other one! lol ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

Oooo how about blue? Purple? Silver?

[julessweetie]

Ooooh! Maybe a blue and silver? I think that would be pretty! :) The options are endless! I am even thinking about doing a full sequin tail...as it won't be going in the water.

[Mermaid Saphira]

Yes! Blue and silver! That would be B-E-A Utiful!

[Mermaid Jewel]

That sounds gorgeous! And the Ariel tail turned out amazing! And sparkly :D