HELP! Newbie making realistic COSTUME tail...

[Simply Enchanted]

Hey all! Newbie here, but I'm SO glad I found the Mernetwork! Such helpful advice! My problem is that I don't really want to swim in my tail. :$

I own a fairy tale entertainment company (Simply Enchanted) and I'm looking to take my Ariel to the next level for my bigger events. So, I want a realistic looking tail but it doesn't have to be water functional at this point. Maybe in the future I'll look into really swimming, but for now I just want to be a "perching" singing mermaid.

Looks like I want to use neoprene and ALEX or Siliconized acrylic caulk?? I love Merbellas and Mermaid Raven's tails. I've ordered the neoprene. If this is a "dry" tail, what should I use?

Also, do you think I need a monofin to give the fluke shape, or do you think something else could be used??

Any advice would be much appreciated!! Thanks all!!

[AniaR]

you should check out https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kae-Leah-Royal-Purple-Mermaid-Princess/253963584623799 as she has a great beautiful dry tail that is walkable and doesn't have a monofin. It looks really good! And if I saw it at an entertainment company Id think it was a waaay better Ariel tail than I usually see! Im sure she can tell you all about it, and you could order your own in green if interested! Good luck

[Spindrift]

Doesn't lexandrian also make dry tails? I think this is her Deviantart: http://lexandrian.deviantart.com/gallery/28353938#/d41tmu3
I -think- she goes by Saphira on the forums here.

[AniaR]

yes she does too! dry and wet tails!

[Winged Mermaid]

Just be aware that all of the materials we use to make tails are really hot when you're dry! You can cut way down on that by using a base fabric other than neoprene. Lexandrian made hers with lycra but there ended up being some fabric puckering issues if I remember right. You could use neoprin instead of neoprene- it's cheaper and more light weight. As for the fluke, you surely don't have to have a monofin if it's a dry tail. They're a big expense, and then you end up with trying to hide the monofin tells, like the ridges and such. If I were you I'd use a thick foam insert cut to shape instead. You can make a foot pocket to hold your feet out of cloth or rubber, could even make it to secure with velcro or hook and eyes sine it doesn't need to be as secure as it would need to be with swimming. Also if it's a dry tail I'd go with ALEX/tin cure latex. It's cheaper than the tin cure silicone, and the big issue with it is that water breaks it down, so for a dry tail that wouldn't be an issue. Hope that helps!

[Simply Enchanted]

Thanks all!!

Winged Mermaid, thank you for the advice!! So helpful!! I was thinking the same about the ALEX....it shouldn't be a problem if I'm not swimming in it! I'll probably go with a foam insert...I didn't want to spend the money on a monofin unless it seemed necessary. Unfortunately, I already ordered the 2mm neoprene so we'll see how it goes...I'm sure I'll be sweating! I'll keep the neoprin in mind for the future, especially if I'm ready to die of heat exhaustion!

Thank you again! I'll try to post pics when I'm done!

[malinghi]

In case you missed it, there's a lot of info here too:
http://mernetwork.com/index/content.php?135-Tutorials-and-How-to-Guides
http://mernetwork.com/index/faq.php

[Delilah]

I have made both wet and dry tails, my current wet tail is using neoprene and alex. I used sintra and flat shoes to create a monofin , sintra is great but can break if you are rough with it.

[Arella]

ALEX is a good choice for dry tails