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Morticia Mermaid
09-10-2012, 11:52 AM
Mermaid Tory and I have decided to have a friendly little competition to see who can finish their tail first. We are doing our tails almost exactly the same, all except for design. Both are being made of cloth and will have sequins glued on. I thought it would be a cool idea to start a thread so everyone could follow us through the progress of our tails. We will be posting photos of materials, building progress, and tail design (not sure about Tory, but I will :)). She is waiting on her fabric coming and I am waiting on my fin.

This wont be a contest to see who can finish faster. Since we are both making our tails the same way, we thought it would help encourage us to get finished if we had a little competition. Tails wont count as complete until photos of it being worn are posted. Swimming photos not required, but would be really cool to see :)

Comments are welcome from everyone. Let the tail making commence! :yay:

Mer_Adella
09-10-2012, 11:59 AM
Thanks Mermaid Lexia...I WILL be posting pictures to the best of my abilities. And you are right, this is the perfect way for us both to start and finish with a little friendly competition and to give others a chance to see that two newbies are dedicated and having fun while doing it.

Let the battle BEGGINNNNNN!!! sorry. lol i will post pics i already have of "some" of my materials. the rest are all at home and i will have to post tomorrow of those.

Mer_Adella
09-10-2012, 12:03 PM
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I chose design #2 with sequin pattern resembling design #1

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my sequins of choice

My materials: (pics tomorrow)

ribbed shelf liner
acrylic folk art paints
e6000 glue
monofin rapid

Morticia Mermaid
09-10-2012, 12:08 PM
No worries Tory :) I have my designs saved from my facebook page.

I'm going to use a whale shaped fluke, with smaller fins. I've not decided yet if I am going to do more like fish fins or a feathery type fin design. Possibly similar to this
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Morticia Mermaid
09-10-2012, 12:12 PM
My sequin scale idea~ I'm not sure yet if I am going to do it all over, or in a scattered kind of pattern. I'm leaning more towards all over

Atlantis
09-10-2012, 01:31 PM
Where did you guys order such great sequins?

Mer_Adella
09-10-2012, 01:44 PM
Mine were off of Cartwrights website. They have ALOT at very good prices and they were fast at getting them to me too i am VERY happy with their business

Morticia Mermaid
09-10-2012, 02:40 PM
Lol. Thats where I got mine too :)

And also, my merfin came in today :D Can't wait to get home, try it on and take pics of it. Will post pics once I have them :yay:

Little_Orca
09-10-2012, 02:52 PM
♫ It's the final countdown! Ma na na na!!!! MA NA NAH NA NA!!!! ♫

Mer_Adella
09-10-2012, 03:13 PM
ha ha thanks lil orca....lexia said that she would wait till i had my fabric so it would be fair. so we shall see :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-10-2012, 03:23 PM
Yep :) I will wait. But I am going to make my pattern tonight when I get home. You should get yours made so you can be ready to go once your fabric comes in

Mer_Adella
09-10-2012, 03:29 PM
oh that is SOOOO happening when i get home...don't you worry :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-10-2012, 03:32 PM
Good. I'm getting mine made up too :D

Mermaid Saphira
09-10-2012, 05:13 PM
The tails r going to be beautiful! can't wait to see! good luck everymer ;)

Morticia Mermaid
09-11-2012, 01:07 AM
:D I got my pattern done. I'll update this post with pictures when I get to work tomorrow. I think it looks pretty wicked so far. Haven't got the pattern together for my side fins just yet, will probably get them on after my shoot for my kickstarter

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 08:56 AM
I got my pattern done too :) even my flex fins (as i call them) i still have to piece together my pattern though. so i will post pics of it all complete.

Morticia Mermaid
09-11-2012, 09:02 AM
I gotta do mine in stages. Doing a photo shoot in it before I put the extra fins and the sequins on. Hoping to do it this weekend so I've got photos by sunday

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 09:05 AM
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/304486_10151066280522183_1112656578_n.jpg My fluke desgin




http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560957_10151066279782183_977053170_n.jpgmy MANY supplies (ps i need more of the shelf liner )
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/399156_10151066283767183_70184639_n.jpgmy drawn flex fluke :) i cut it out this morning but didnt have time to get a picture before work

Morticia Mermaid
09-11-2012, 10:14 AM
Very nice Tory. That looks awesome. Your trace turned out so much better than mine xD I had to try 3 times to get a decent outline for the base pattern

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 10:25 AM
ha ha ha what you DONT see is the mutliple erase lines on the right side of the fluke. i can draw the left side perfectly but not the right lol

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 10:51 AM
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/399089_10151066950782183_430333090_n.jpg

Morticia Mermaid
09-11-2012, 10:52 AM
My fluke design is pretty simple, I think I'm going to copy the end flair of the fluke into the fin design. I don't have any patterns drawn out for my fins yet, wanted to make sure I had my main portion done. I'll probably draw them out tonight. I also included a pic of my merfin, I put a shoe next to it for size comparison. I have a 9" foot and those shoes fit perfectly. The fin is around 2 1/2'x 2 1/2' in the medium size :)
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Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 11:04 AM
awesome!

Morticia Mermaid
09-11-2012, 11:52 AM
It's a simple fluke design. But I may be adding extra flair off the end. I've got some pretty, long, spiral beads that I want to string and put on a strip of fabric to sew onto the end :) I'll post pictures if I decide to do it

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 01:57 PM
im havin a small problem with figuring out how to attach my "fringe" out of shelf liner to the bottom and back of my tail? anyone have any ideas? I am painting my fluke so i would like it to be as discreet as possible

Azurin Luna
09-11-2012, 02:46 PM
I used soft PVC, and I sewed it to my neoprene tail. If you got a sewing machine that can sew denim and you have a strong sharp needle you can try to sew it too, but go very slowly with a long stitch.

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 03:15 PM
Well i understand the sewing part but how do you get it to mostly stand up when gluing/sewing it? i would like it to stick upright so it looks better instead of lying flat

Mer_Adella
09-11-2012, 05:22 PM
so i couldn't help it i felt that i didn't have the right color sequins for my tail...but since my fabric is taking SOOO LONNNGGG I ordered new sequins to add too it as well. heres the colors
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of course i will use my clear iridecent ones and maybe a few blacks for a deep color...i couldn't help it:headwall:

Azurin Luna
09-11-2012, 11:58 PM
My tail construction (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1982-New-tail-in-the-works-D/page2), maybe it can help you some with the fins

Morticia Mermaid
09-12-2012, 04:52 PM
I'm baaaack!!! (stupid comcast) And I love those colours Tory! I ordered more of my black sequins on monday, they are at home waiting for me! Have to stop at the fabric shop and pick up another stretch of fabric. Hadn't realized how big the fin was going to be, ended up not having enough to get started xD

Mer_Adella
09-12-2012, 05:05 PM
Thats ok Lexia I realized i hated the sequins i had so i ordered new ones now i am unsure if i have enough but i will start with the top of the fluke and the hips first and fill in where i need it :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-12-2012, 05:27 PM
I'm doing the same. Still haven't determined If I am going to do them all over the tail or in a pattern. :)

Mer_Adella
09-12-2012, 05:32 PM
Hey. MY FABRIC IS SHIPPED!!!!!!!!!!

Mer_Adella
09-13-2012, 07:57 AM
Ok so probably not the best idea...but i used an old bra, cut off the straps and used fish net as the new halter straps

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and then i started gluing on some sequins
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AND AGAIN
I have another idea for a top :D this one comes from me being a dancer...but shhh i am keeping it a secret :yay:

Morticia Mermaid
09-13-2012, 09:47 AM
Lol. I was looking at doing the same thing. May be going home early from work today, not feeling good ^^' So I'm going to see what I can draw up when I get home :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-13-2012, 11:57 AM
Finished sewing the sides of my tail last night. it fits the fin, and me, like a glove. So excited :yay: photo of it on me is a bit blurry, was kind of wobbly (ignore the messy studio around me, studio is also my room. Has floor to ceiling mirrors on the closet doors xD). So happy it fits right. Was worried it wouldn't fit properly. Fabric kept stretching funky

Mer_Adella
09-13-2012, 12:08 PM
now that doesn't count right? lol jk

Morticia Mermaid
09-13-2012, 12:10 PM
lol. It doesn't. I just wanted to be sure it fit and thought I'd share that it does :)

Mer_Adella
09-13-2012, 12:14 PM
sweeett! lol i was just kidding anyways. i figured that you meant wearing i with a "finished" look as far as sequins and everything else. oh an look what i found in my yard last night form the lady that lived there before my boyfriend and i
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heehee hee i can make accessories while waiting for my fabric now :yay:

Morticia Mermaid
09-13-2012, 12:27 PM
Awesome! I use jewelry wire a lot in my accessories. It works really well if you don't have a dremel to drill holes

Mer_Adella
09-14-2012, 08:23 AM
My seashell bra just started last night :D

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then both were painted :D I had added a little orange to give it a "pop"

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and then i added my rinestones (below) and then i added some of the items i had to see how it would look when finished (bottom picture)

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and finally i figured that i need something else. so i added a few pearls i love them so far. i just have to clear coat tonight

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Mermaid Zaffiro
09-14-2012, 08:42 AM
Oooh beautiful shell top *_*

Mer_Adella
09-14-2012, 09:40 AM
Thank you :) its good to know that my painting abilities weren't just thrown into the wind :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-14-2012, 09:46 AM
Wow. That looks really great. My top is probably going to take a while to get finished xD

Mermaid Narina
09-14-2012, 09:50 AM
[QUOTE=Mer_Adella;40534]My seashell bra just started last night :D

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Where did you get the seashells? I have had SO much trouble trying to find some!! :O

Mer_Adella
09-14-2012, 09:50 AM
Ya it was a thought in my head and actually the shells were tied so that they pointed up but i wanted them sideways so i cut the string painted added my accesories and tonight i have to clear coat and then add more accessories and then the strings. i am excited this is the first "girly" thing i have made and i love it. I decided that I wanted pink and orange. because I never have anything that is prink and orange. so i think that is my color scheme.

Mer_Adella
09-14-2012, 09:57 AM
[QUOTE=Mer_Adella;40534]My seashell bra just started last night :D

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Where did you get the seashells? I have had SO much trouble trying to find some!! :O


I actually got lucky and found some at the local halloween store in town. they had one pair left for 4.99 but i also ordered some offline on ebay. i will try and find the link for you :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-14-2012, 10:05 AM
I'm ordering my Lion Paws this weekend. Probably going to be close to $20 total, but it will be worth it (assuming they are big enough). 5-7" for a DD cup. If not, I doubt ANYONE will complain >.>

Mer_Adella
09-14-2012, 10:11 AM
BAHAHAHAHAHA i love it lexia! that is kinda why i turned mine sideways. I put them on and showed my friend at my hosue and she said "nice side boob action" i looked and sure enough most of my boobs were hanging out the sides. so when i turned them sideways it pushed them togehter lol

Morticia Mermaid
09-14-2012, 10:40 AM
Lol! Thats what I was planning on doing with them xD Creates more of a push-up type top instead of a compression top

Mer_Adella
09-14-2012, 01:23 PM
i would rather have push up than a push out lol

Morticia Mermaid
09-14-2012, 01:26 PM
Same!! I have a LOT that would "push out" and it wouldn't be pretty at all xD Darn my bustiness

Mer_Adella
09-15-2012, 03:03 PM
I got all my sequins today fabric today or monday

Morticia Mermaid
09-15-2012, 04:37 PM
>.< I'm going to have to get different fabric. The fabric I had was ok enough for the shoot, but I won't be able to swim in it :(

Ashe
09-15-2012, 05:17 PM
Looks like you two are having fun! good luck and nice shells btw, Adella! <3

Mer_Adella
09-17-2012, 09:32 AM
Looks like you two are having fun! good luck and nice shells btw, Adella! <3

THANKS Kalani :)

Oh no Lexia, your fabric won't work ? why not? That's kind of my concern too.

I have a photoshoot this saturday :yay: and I have to come up with my "mermaid's story" and questions that kids may ask and my answers to give to my photographer. WE are working together to do kids events/field trips in the winter to teach kids about conserving water, not polluting lakes and oceans, and endangered sea creatures and what they can do to help. So I have to work on my business proposal...as well as my tail...and get it done all by friday AHHHHHH 0.o

I am having problems with the questions though. I have a lot but I can't think of some questions that kids may ask me. ( i got general ones, "how long can you live out of the water" "where do you live" etc)

Morticia Mermaid
09-17-2012, 10:34 AM
Lol. I know the feeling of being crunched on time Adella. I was the same last week. I ended up being late to the shoot cause I didn't get my tail finished friday night.

And the fabric, lets just say it couldn't hold up to my.... strong, womanly legs :headwall: Darn my curves. I need a material with a bit more strength and sturdiness to it. So I'm looking at ordering some neoprene. I ordered some samples last night.

Also, I searched EVERY big store that might carry halloween stuff, even the halloween bootique, and found shell bras NO WHERE. The bootique had coconut bras, but no shell bras! But don't need to worry about that, I ordered some giant lion paws yesterday and they should be here by the end of this week :yay:

Mer_Adella
09-17-2012, 10:49 AM
i guess i dont understand why the fabric didn't hold up...what happened to it?

Morticia Mermaid
09-17-2012, 11:45 AM
It ripped out at the seams. But I guess that is what I get for buying cheap fabric from Joann's ^^' I've got neoprene samples coming in hopefully this week from... O.o I can't seem to remember right now xD I'll have to check my email

Mer_Adella
09-17-2012, 11:49 AM
my mom is going to show me how to use her surger machine. that way the thread stretches with the fabric and it makes the loose ends tight so it wont fray

Morticia Mermaid
09-17-2012, 11:57 AM
Awesome. I wish I had a surger, but all I've got is my mums old machine

Edit: Ok, so I finally found the company I ordered (free) samples from. It just happens to be the company that Is on the not recommended list in the materials thread due to recent credit card fraud reports. Which sucks cause they had really great prices, But I would rather not risk credit card fraud just for cheaper prices. I'll check out prices at foam order or Seattle Fabrics. This tail is turning out to be somewhat expensive, but its worth it :)

Mer_Adella
09-18-2012, 09:55 AM
Soooo ok....here it goes...

My fabric is coming today to my house. I was supposed to go to my moms and she would show me how to surge it so the edges dont frey on the material.....
BUT.....

my Grand father had surgery to replace his hip and my dad's oldest brother barred my parents and I and my aunt Shelly from coming to the hospital to see him....(family drama) So my mom and dad are going to the hospital with a court order to see him. (with a police escort no less). So the sewing of my tail is pushed back a day :'( which also means that i only have 2 days after that to get my tail ready for my photo shoot (isn't family drama awesome).

And here's the kicker....my mom is hoping that they can see him tonight. If they can't I am going down saturday....and my dad's brother specificially told the hospital not to let me in. There is no reason why I cannot see my grandfather, i mean him no harm what-so-ever. The problem is that my grandparents are in their 80's and are slowly dying. My family has always been there for them. And the older uncles were never there. But now that they [my grandparents] are dying slowly, they want to be in the picture as the ones who care.

Lets just say that i needed a place to vent (i am not only upset about my grandparents and being banned from seeing them by other family memebers, but also for the fact that I am stressed about my tail). My mom is hoping that they can lift the ban on me from seeing him because if they can't I will be going to see him on saturday before my photo shoot. And trust me lady's and gentlemen I may be a 5'4" 128lb girl, but when I am P.Oed about something I come out swinging and drawing blood.

Ashe
09-18-2012, 10:10 AM
I'm really sorry about that, Adella. That is insanely unfair to you that the hospital may not let you in. I just hope that everything works out and you get to finish your tail by the photoshoot date. Hugs and Kisses! <3 <3 <3

Mer_Adella
09-18-2012, 10:16 AM
thanks kalani and its all my dad's brothers fault. he put the ban on us. and i am willing to be arrested in front of my gpa just to see him so he can see all of what is happening (my dad's brother hasn't told my gpa whats going on, my gpa keeps asking why me and my brother and my aunt shell and my parents haven't come to see him and my dad's brother keeps telling him "because they dont love you as much as the rest of us do") utter BS and its going to get solved very quickly.

Azurin Luna
09-18-2012, 12:12 PM
Oh, good luck trying to finish your tail in time. I hate family drama like that

Mer_Adella
09-18-2012, 05:23 PM
So ok mer-ladies...

my fabric is at the house on the porch...and now i have to rush home to make sure that the box doesn't get wet and ruin everything. great.

my question is if i cut out the patter and have it ready to sew tomorrow by machine...can i add my fin fringe tonight and sequins tonight??? just in some areas ??

Morticia Mermaid
09-18-2012, 05:33 PM
I wouldn't do too much on the sequins. Might make it a bit difficult to turn right side out, not to mention the risk of popping some of the sequins off, or having some break, when turning right side out

Mer_Adella
09-18-2012, 07:09 PM
Ok so my fabric isn't at my house it is at the post office in my town. And it states that I should expect it in a day or two. Are you kidding me?? Two days is Thursday and I have my photoshoot Saturday!!!!!

Mer_Adella
09-19-2012, 09:09 AM
Okay...here goes....Although I have had some major set backs here trying to get my fabric, finding the right sequins, trial and error of everything going on in my life....

I have a plan set for the next few nights. (since i work 8 hrs every day). I have my to do list made up of everything I have to do in the up and coming nights before my photo shoot on saturday night. I even sketched out a small scale look alike of my tail and drew little circles representing the scales (sequins) and how I would like them placed. (very hard for me to do because I need to look at things in front of me and i can do it. I can't imagine it without fabric in front of me to design the scales the right way since they are diff colors).

But i have done it :) so now fabric better get here today so I can get started tonight. I am excited that I saw a break in the dark skies long enough to have this get through my brain and onto paper. wish me luck mers!

Mer_Adella
09-19-2012, 09:10 AM
Oh P.s. Lexia........


ITS ON!!!!!!

just think if i can get my fabric tonight and do most of the sewing and sequining tonight I will be that much closer to finishing lol. heres hoping fins crossed

shimmygoddess
09-19-2012, 10:04 AM
My fluke desgin




my MANY supplies (ps i need more of the shelf liner )
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/399156_10151066283767183_70184639_n.jpgmy drawn flex fluke :) i cut it out this morning but didnt have time to get a picture before work

I am working on my first tale too and was wondering how to do the fluke. You use the shelf liner to fill out the fluke and attach the monofin to that?

SilverSiren
09-19-2012, 10:11 AM
If I were you, I would just walk right into that hospital and see your grandfather. He's not under custody or anything. Just, go really early in the morning or later in the night so no one sees you and let him know whats going on. It's easy to sneak into a hospital to see someone. Heck, you can just tell them "I'm so and so, a grand daughter of this mans (your grandfather) close friend and I just want to say hello and give him my best, 10 mins I promise" Or something along those lines. It's not right to not let you see him. I hate manipulative family members. You have to wonder how on earth your related sometimes. Good luck with your tail.

Morticia Mermaid
09-19-2012, 10:59 AM
xD you're going to get finished long before me. I gotta re-order fabric and can't get it ordered until I can afford it. Plus still waiting on my neoprene samples. Hopefully I like the samples I ordered. If so I am looking at close to $100 for neoprene.

Mer_Adella
09-19-2012, 12:24 PM
I am working on my first tale too and was wondering how to do the fluke. You use the shelf liner to fill out the fluke and attach the monofin to that?

i am using the shelf liner as a "filler". not really replacing my monofin or covering it. It is to fill out the fabric of the fluke so it has some ridgitity to the fabric so it holds a realistic shape for land photo shoots. I didn't want my fabric just flopping over my monofin. I am basically just trying it, not sure if it will work tho. I am sewing it into my fabric on the inside and hiding the seams with sequins. no attachment to the monofin. also remember if you do this to leave some "water room" in it. don't sew the whole thing together, leave some holes for water to escape so it doesn't drag you down.

shimmygoddess
09-19-2012, 04:31 PM
thanks for the info. I know the whole fluke needs to be 'filled' just wasn't sure what to use or if it was glued to the monofin

Mer_Adella
09-19-2012, 11:35 PM
Okay so most of the tail is sewed. My mom left the fluke open so I can get my monofin in and out but of course this has set me back while she finds a right sized Zipper. And of course I got home at 9:30 so I painted my fluke and that was it. And it's only one side of course. So I have a lot to do and I am getting stressed. I may just do the fluke and the black/ dark pink sequins on the ankles and that be it before my photoshoot

Mer_Adella
09-20-2012, 12:52 AM
after surging my tail together i rushed home and started adding the paint on the fluke....unfortunately my mom didn't have a zipper long enough so i had to use velcro to close the fluke :'( i was almost in tears. but this is how it looked

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and then i was playing around with some sequins to see how it will look. i have a lot to do before saturday.

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and of course now i checked the weather and its supposed to rain saturday i am not sure if Jeff is going to cancel or not...rain doesn't bother me so i hope not.

Jadestone
09-20-2012, 10:28 PM
Velcro works fine to close the tail! I'm using that for mine, actually. It lets the water move through the through the tail so it doesn't form little pockets and create drag. As long as the velcro is strong enough, it should be fine :) Your tail looks quite nice so far though!

And sorry to hear about your family troubles. Hope all goes well for you, dear.

Mer_Adella
09-21-2012, 08:27 AM
hand sew my fringe into the back of my tail
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and here you can see i was halfway up the tail before i had to go and get fresh air.

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I finished this side this morning before work...tonight i will be working on the other side. i have to finish the fluke and sea shell top and i will be done! ON TIME!

Azurin Luna
09-21-2012, 12:53 PM
Nice looking! Good luck!

Mermaid Saphira
09-21-2012, 01:41 PM
looks great so far! Looking forward to seeing the final tail :) Good luck with your top as well

Mer_Adella
09-21-2012, 01:43 PM
Thanks saphira :D i have the rest of the tail to do tonight.

also tonight (thank god its friday)
-finish top (adding straps)
-cut fringe for fluke
-make shell necklace

tomorrow morning

-surge the fluke pieces (keeps the edges from fraying and destroying it--think a run in pantyhose)
-sew fringe on while sewing fluke shut
-makeup
-hair

Mer_Adella
09-21-2012, 11:08 PM
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TAIL IS FINISHED!!!!!


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Top too

Morticia Mermaid
09-22-2012, 01:00 AM
:O It's so pretty Adella

Azurin Luna
09-22-2012, 01:23 PM
Oooh! Nice! Can't wait to see you wearing the tail :D

Ashe
09-22-2012, 01:38 PM
Yay!!!!! It looks beautiful!

Mermaid Saphira
09-22-2012, 02:19 PM
looks awesome!! :D

Mer_Adella
09-23-2012, 12:13 PM
I had my photoshoot yesterday and I have seen some of the pictures but I haven't gotten any yet. Once I do you guys will see them.

Ashe
09-23-2012, 12:17 PM
We cant wait! <3

Morticia Mermaid
09-23-2012, 07:13 PM
Was playing with my scales for my tail trying to figure out how I wanted them to transition to the scales for the waist. I think I am actually going to sew them on because I am going from fluke to waist. Here are the 2 ideas I came up with. I'm actually going to do the one on the top, it seems a lot more natural

Mer_Adella
09-23-2012, 08:17 PM
I would sew those too it's going to look beautiful

Morticia Mermaid
09-23-2012, 10:10 PM
Thanks Adella :) Going to be working on buying my neoprene. Thinking one sheet with my paycheck next week and then the other sheet with the paycheck after. Sadly, I can't afford to buy them at the same time :(

Mer_Adella
09-24-2012, 04:42 PM
Ok so i just got a sneak preview of my pictures from the photographer. But i am weary of putting them up just yet since he hasn't fixed them all up. So just for now to let you all know....i have seen them....but they are not mine yet. here is the link to see 3 of them...

--------> http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.499180713425688.126663.146224175388012&type=1


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE these are still his images...don not copy and steal just a friendly reminder :D no offense intended :D

Mermaid Saphira
09-24-2012, 04:56 PM
Ok so i just got a sneak preview of my pictures from the photographer. But i am weary of putting them up just yet since he hasn't fixed them all up. So just for now to let you all know....i have seen them....but they are not mine yet. here is the link to see 3 of them...

--------> http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.499180713425688.126663.146224175388012&type=1


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE these are still his images...don not copy and steal just a friendly reminder :D no offense intended :D

You are a very beautiful mer and that tail is just incredible! You did a fabulous job :D

Mer_Adella
09-24-2012, 04:59 PM
Thanks saphira...lol i am glad that it looks good for literally an 18 hr job lol. but that means a lot to me. no one really has taken my pictures since i was a senior in high school so i was nervous but jeff kept me laughing the whole time. and like i said these are just 3 of the pictures that he took. so hopefully by later tonight or tomorrow I will have more. and soon i hope to have the brochure for our events too.

Morticia Mermaid
09-24-2012, 05:08 PM
They are gorgeous :) And your tail looks absolutely fantastic

Mermaid Saphira
09-24-2012, 05:18 PM
Thanks saphira...lol i am glad that it looks good for literally an 18 hr job lol. but that means a lot to me. no one really has taken my pictures since i was a senior in high school so i was nervous but jeff kept me laughing the whole time. and like i said these are just 3 of the pictures that he took. so hopefully by later tonight or tomorrow I will have more. and soon i hope to have the brochure for our events too.

Your very welcome ;)

Mer_Adella
09-24-2012, 06:44 PM
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Morticia Mermaid
09-24-2012, 06:46 PM
You look so pretty Adella :yay:

Mer_Adella
09-24-2012, 06:51 PM
Thank you LEXIA :)

Morticia Mermaid
09-25-2012, 03:32 PM
Ok, so my abalones came in a day earlier than expected. They are absolutely perfect. They are much "deeper" than the lion paws I got, much better for a busty mer. And instead of being round, they are oval shape, again, perfect for busty mers :D I can't wait until my seaweed I ordered gets here and I can work on getting it finished.
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Also included a "depth" comparison

Mer_Adella
09-25-2012, 04:51 PM
they look perfect and they look beautiful :D

Mermaid Saphira
09-25-2012, 04:53 PM
pretty pretty :D

Morticia Mermaid
09-25-2012, 05:10 PM
Thanks mers. Anyone know what kind of resin would be best to put a clear coat over it? It looks like it already has at least one on the top, but none on the back side

Mermaid Arianna
09-26-2012, 04:10 PM
Try the brush on thick glaze and get some cheap brushes, works well underwater but let it dry a few days

Morticia Mermaid
10-04-2012, 11:47 AM
I know its been a while since I added anything from my tail, money has been really tight on top of trying to save up to go see my fiance next month. I got my new sequins in the other day and finally sat to play with them last night. They discontinued the Light Coral shell sequins, so I ended up ordering a few similar colors in the round sequins. I have 2 8mm sizes, one in nude the other in light coral, and one size 10mm in Light Ecra (spelling sucks). Here is the results I came up with. I think the round ones will work well with the shell sequins

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Mer_Adella
10-04-2012, 11:57 AM
I think the colors are FAB-U-LUS together and i like the round sequins....from far away they would probably look no different than the shells :)

Morticia Mermaid
10-04-2012, 12:45 PM
:) Thank you. I was hoping they would work ok. They are 3 different colors, but I think they blend together well. I took the pictures at a couple angles so everyone could see all the colors in the iridescent scales

Mer_Adella
10-04-2012, 04:40 PM
I launched my kickstarter about oh 5 minutes ago. Here is the URL:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839915843/mermaid-against-pollution

this and in the forum under "Everything else" is the only place i am posting it on mernetwork. so please help me out by sharing this link with someone you know. I want to help clean up The Great Lakes and maybe even work my way throughout the Oceans :) Thanks everyone for your support and sharing

Winged Mermaid
10-04-2012, 05:05 PM
Thanks mers. Anyone know what kind of resin would be best to put a clear coat over it? It looks like it already has at least one on the top, but none on the back side

Unless you feel it's too fragile with only one coat I wouldn't put another on the back side. It will make it really hard to adhere to anything. I saw the red one Raven made up close, and she ended up having to do a lot of sewing to anchor the thing on to the bra, and she detests sewing and avoids as much as she can. Maybe why it took her a year and a half to get around to making it :P

If you want to, just get clear casting resin. They carry it at Michaels around where all the glues are. Read the warnings and be careful with that stuff. Use disposable brushes. Keep in mind that resin does scratch visibly. (On the red one there were already a hand full of scratches.) But if it gets too bad they make kits where you can polish most scratches out (mostly for contact juggling balls). Just be careful how you lay on rocks with it and such!

Morticia Mermaid
10-04-2012, 05:25 PM
Thanks Iona! I wasn't planning on gluing them to anything, so I may just try an extra coat on the front, the edges just seem very frail to me. And since they weren't exactly inexpensive, I'd hate to have them break the first time I try to wear them

Morticia Mermaid
12-04-2012, 09:24 PM
Finally got my neoprene today. Will try to post pictures as work progresses, but not sure just how much I am going to be on anymore. If you want to see progress, I'll be posting it regularly on my mermaid page

Morticia Mermaid
12-10-2012, 12:16 PM
I know this thread has pretty much died down since Adella finished her tail. I'm going to be posting pictures later tonight of my progress so far on both here and my facebook page... Not even sure if anyone would want to bother though

Mermaid Saphira
12-10-2012, 01:00 PM
I know this thread has pretty much died down since Adella finished her tail. I'm going to be posting pictures later tonight of my progress so far on both here and my facebook page... Not even sure if anyone would want to bother though

Are you kidding? I for one would love to see your tail! ;)

Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!
12-10-2012, 01:57 PM
Your scales look lovely, Lexia, and though I've just discovered this thread, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it. Cute tail, too, Adella!

Morticia Mermaid
12-10-2012, 02:03 PM
Thanks you guys. I got my pattern cut out and am going to be cutting out the neoprene tonight. probably start doing paint swatches while I wait for the rest of my supplies to come in

Mer_Adella
12-10-2012, 03:00 PM
Your scales look lovely, Lexia, and though I've just discovered this thread, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it. Cute tail, too, Adella!

Thanks JRU :)


I know this thread has pretty much died down since Adella finished her tail. I'm going to be posting pictures later tonight of my progress so far on both here and my facebook page... Not even sure if anyone would want to bother though

Hey! We all still read this thread now...come on... it was here to be a friendly competition. I am sure there are more mers out there that would be doing the same thing if they knew that this thread was started :)

Morticia Mermaid
12-24-2012, 12:03 PM
Finished sewing the side seams on my tail this weekend. Would have been done sooner, but my sewing machine broke down and had to be fixed. Just waiting on paints and the rest of my sequins to come in.

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Main paint colors are going to be an antique type gold, silver and crimson red.

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I'm planning on installing a zipper in the end of the fluke, and I've got some mesh and shelf liner I am planning on adding onto the end. May also make some pectoral fins out of a combination of the mesh and shelf liner

Mermaid Saphira
12-24-2012, 12:14 PM
^ That is looking so great! I love ur color scheme :D

Ashe
12-27-2012, 11:07 AM
Looking awesome! I had missed the last few updates 'cause I had plans over the holidays that didn't include my computer :P And I also read your B!tc# post, and I am so sorry you feel that way! Honestly, I think that every tail, silicone or fabric, is a good tail. As long as the owner is happy, I'm happy :) I myself am a tailmaker, working with neoprene and spandex and get peeved when a silicone tail gets more attention than neoprene or spandex. We put so much hard work into them! I mean, Hannah Fraser takes MONTHS on her tails! I really do know how you feel, on my Tiger Tail I started a month or two ago, everyone was all excited and stuff, but that is how ALL tailmaking threads start out, right? Then, no body was interested anymore when I posted updates and telling how excited I was to finally be starting it, etc. I wasn't motivated and more, so I just didn't make it. So yeah, I'm on the same boat with you Lex, and hopefully we and anyone else who remembers the roots of mermaiding can help bring fabric tails back into interest :)

New plan: Go downstairs and make that tail I started. Get ready for the badassness!

Morticia Mermaid
12-27-2012, 11:13 AM
Thanks. I'm going to have to order more sequins. Want to see how many it takes to finish mine, cause I may add sequin tails to my list of tails that I offer.

And people don't understand just how frustrating it is. I've been studying clothing construction for over 4 years now, so I know how to work with all kinds of materials. And I've put around $3,000 total into trying to get my tail making going. Thats all money out of my own pocket. I have yet to actually be paid for something I've made because I have been selling everything at cost to try and get my name out there and get more reviews, all of which I have only gotten 1 back and I've lost count of what all I have sold.

Morticia Mermaid
01-02-2013, 12:51 AM
Finally finished my personal necklace. I love it. It's a mix of shells and tiny colored (glass) pearls. The pendant is a freshwater pearl
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-Annwyn-
01-02-2013, 04:35 AM
And people don't understand just how frustrating it is. I've been studying clothing construction for over 4 years now, so I know how to work with all kinds of materials. And I've put around $3,000 total into trying to get my tail making going. Thats all money out of my own pocket. I have yet to actually be paid for something I've made because I have been selling everything at cost to try and get my name out there and get more reviews, all of which I have only gotten 1 back and I've lost count of what all I have sold.

Have you ever considered undertaking a business management course? Or failing that contacting a company that specialises in setting up small businesses?

Spindrift
01-02-2013, 05:05 AM
That new necklace you made is so cute! I love the tiny shells with the swirls!

Morticia Mermaid
01-02-2013, 05:19 AM
Thanks Spindrift. And yes Aela, I'm actually in the middle of one at the local community college.

And, since I'm still up at 2:19 am, I've been doing some work on my tail. Thought I would share a photo of the fluke with my progress so far. Still waiting on paint to come in, but worked with the sample sizes I've got.

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Mermaid Saphira
01-02-2013, 08:10 AM
beautiful necklace and the paint looks good so far :)

Mermaid Saphira
01-02-2013, 08:13 AM
Looking awesome! I had missed the last few updates 'cause I had plans over the holidays that didn't include my computer :P And I also read your B!tc# post, and I am so sorry you feel that way! Honestly, I think that every tail, silicone or fabric, is a good tail. As long as the owner is happy, I'm happy :) I myself am a tailmaker, working with neoprene and spandex and get peeved when a silicone tail gets more attention than neoprene or spandex. We put so much hard work into them! I mean, Hannah Fraser takes MONTHS on her tails! I really do know how you feel, on my Tiger Tail I started a month or two ago, everyone was all excited and stuff, but that is how ALL tailmaking threads start out, right? Then, no body was interested anymore when I posted updates and telling how excited I was to finally be starting it, etc. I wasn't motivated and more, so I just didn't make it. So yeah, I'm on the same boat with you Lex, and hopefully we and anyone else who remembers the roots of mermaiding can help bring fabric tails back into interest :)

New plan: Go downstairs and make that tail I started. Get ready for the badassness!

While I am not a fabric tailmaker (yet), I do work with fabric tails. Starting the thread I am super excited, but eventually every body loses interest in it and I no longer feel motivation to finish it. :/ I really should finish it up whether anybody is interested or not :p

NatalieMermaid
01-03-2013, 12:36 AM
My sequin scale idea~ I'm not sure yet if I am going to do it all over, or in a scattered kind of pattern. I'm leaning more towards all over

How many did you order? Or how many have you used so far? (sorry If you said, I didnt see it) I have my fabric for one just dont know how many sequins o order.

Morticia Mermaid
01-03-2013, 12:54 AM
How many did you order? Or how many have you used so far? (sorry If you said, I didnt see it) I have my fabric for one just dont know how many sequins o order.

It all really depends on your size. I'm a fit 180, with a tiny bit of blubber. I've already ordered equivalent to 3 1/2 of the 100gram bags, and still need to order another 10 just to be able to finish (I've also used probably 1 of the 3-100 gram bags on my top so far, and its not finished yet either). Doing sequins as scales can be spendy, and meticulous, but I think it is worth it (at least for my tail). There's no way I could achieve the look I want with paint, and I am no where near brave enough to even attempt using silicone. So sequins is as close as I can get to the look I want.

Morticia Mermaid
01-03-2013, 02:09 PM
Finally got pictures uploaded of my belt. I ordered my belt from Seavixen Designs (https://www.facebook.com/sdetsy?ref=ts&fref=ts). These are the pictures she sent me, can't seem to take any decent ones myself. The pictures REALLY don't do the belt justice. It is absolutely gorgeous.
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Ashe
01-03-2013, 02:25 PM
Woah. That is so pretty! SeaVixen is so awesome :)

Morticia Mermaid
01-03-2013, 02:56 PM
Right? I absolutely LOVE it. I can't wait for the first chance I have to wear it with my tail

Mermaid Saphira
01-03-2013, 03:34 PM
Absolutely beautiful! :D

Morticia Mermaid
01-05-2013, 03:45 PM
Guess who got their paints this morning :D And Guess who is painting up a storm. Hopefully have most of it finished by tonight. Progress pics tonight, and hopefully water pics tuesday

Ashe
01-05-2013, 03:53 PM
Fun! Can't wait to see more pics :)

Morticia Mermaid
01-05-2013, 06:08 PM
My progress so far today. Waiting for first layer of paint to dry. Still have another color to add to the fluke and some more detailing to do. Thought I'd share a pic of how far I am
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Mermaid Saphira
01-05-2013, 11:14 PM
^ so lovely Lex :D

Morticia Mermaid
01-06-2013, 02:38 AM
So tired. But I'm surprised. I got a lot of work done on my tail today. Got one whole side of the fluke painted, and one side of the body up to the knees
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Goal tomorrow is to get the seams along the thighs to the waist adjusted and snugged up, and finish painting the one side :)

Natalie the Mermaid
01-06-2013, 06:10 PM
OMG!!! that is gorgeous :0 I love it, Is that a 'premium tail'? It looks great!

Morticia Mermaid
01-06-2013, 06:15 PM
:) Yes it is Natalie. Thanks, so far I've got about 13 hours or so of work into just the painting, Hopefully wont be much longer till its finished

Morticia Mermaid
01-14-2013, 06:15 PM
Finally finished painting, and heatsetting, my tail. Managed to heatset the paint without doing ANY damage to the foam rubber core of my neoprene :D

Hitting the pool tomorrow to test it out, and get some photos. Hopefully some underwater ones if I'm lucky (have to find cameras battery charger).

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Yes the dark spot is supposed to be there. It is part of the paint design, and looks much better once its on :)

Natalie the Mermaid
01-14-2013, 06:27 PM
looks great!!

Dacora
01-14-2013, 11:36 PM
Can I ask how you heat set it? It looks awesome!

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Ashe
01-14-2013, 11:45 PM
So pretty!

Morticia Mermaid
01-15-2013, 12:59 AM
I heat set it with a dry iron on nylon setting

Mermaid Danielle
01-15-2013, 01:06 AM
Lexia it looks awesome!

Morticia Mermaid
01-15-2013, 09:58 AM
Thanks Danielle. I'll be taking pictures tonight at the pool. Camera should be good to 10 ft, but we don't want to chance ruining mom's camera, so we are going to put it in a plastic baggie. Hopefully they turn out well :)

Mer_Adella
01-15-2013, 10:25 AM
looks awesome girl :) have fun stay safe and i can't wait to see the pictures

Mermaid Saphira
01-15-2013, 11:56 AM
amazing, Lexia! I love the design! Looking forward to seeing photos/video(s) ;)

Morticia Mermaid
01-16-2013, 10:30 AM
Well, didn't manage to get any video. We were having issues with the camera, weren't sure if it was actually water proof or not (It is, thankfully). Going to be getting the pictures we took uploaded later.

But, until then, here is a picture of me with the dive instructor who certified me :)
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(Need to see about getting a decorative 1lb weight belt for my ankles. I'm guessing my merfin has air bubbles in it cause of how obnoxiously floaty it was)

Mermaid Melanie
01-16-2013, 11:24 AM
you can get nice little padded ankle weights that can go inside from most dive retailers - that way its hidden :) x

Morticia Mermaid
01-16-2013, 11:56 AM
:) I'm actually going to talk to Nerine. She makes weighted mermaid belts and I want to see if she could make a small on to go around the ankle of the tail, almost like a tail charm sort of thing.

Here's a couple more pictures. The rest will go in an album :)

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Belt is by Seavixen Designs

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Didn't take me long to hit the deep end

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Eat my bubbles :P

AniaR
01-16-2013, 12:27 PM
Nerine makes awesome weight belts. That's why I use! :) You don't want to restrict your kicking ability with more weight on your ankles. You'd be surprised, but a weight belt will help you keep the back down.

Morticia Mermaid
01-16-2013, 12:58 PM
Oddly, it's not my toosh that is floaty, its my ankles and the fin. I'm pretty sure its got air pockets in the rubber of the fin

Mermaid Danielle
01-16-2013, 02:47 PM
Lexia it looks great! The colors look amazing underwater!

NerineArcticMermaid
01-16-2013, 05:08 PM
MY EARs ARE BURNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yall talking about me? :D LOL!!

Ok Seriously now.....

Hmm.. we need to test out how much weight to be sure...

Find out if it is air bubbles.. see if you can find a way release them..

I will see if i can make small weights.. but we need to be completly sure how much.. Can you get a hold of a 1lb strap weight? or even some 1lb weight from walmat?

Mean while.. the crazy brain is thinking..

Morticia Mermaid
01-16-2013, 05:34 PM
:) Lol

Don't think I'll be able to find where the air bubbles are unless I take a pair of scissors to the fin to try to find them

I've got 2- 1lb soft dumbells at home that have straps on that I can try out

NerineArcticMermaid
01-16-2013, 07:47 PM
yeah... try that... see if you can shove one down to you ankles or strap it on to the outside some how..... Im thinking .5lbs will be plenty to couteract air..

Are the bubble trapped in between the fabric and fin or in the fin itself?

Ashe
01-16-2013, 07:57 PM
Very cool, Lex!

Morticia Mermaid
01-16-2013, 09:21 PM
yeah... try that... see if you can shove one down to you ankles or strap it on to the outside some how..... Im thinking .5lbs will be plenty to couteract air..

Are the bubble trapped in between the fabric and fin or in the fin itself?

in the fin itself

Mermaid Allie
01-16-2013, 10:51 PM
I love it!! The fluke design is so cool! :)

Morticia Mermaid
03-21-2013, 10:43 AM
I know this thread is pretty much dead right now, but I managed to do some work on my tail. Ended up laying in bed sick the other day and thought to myself, why not work on my tail. So I did just that. Got started sewing sequins on Monday night. I didn't get far cause I ended up falling asleep, but I think I did not too bad for sewing while sick.

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They are all hand sewn on. I found it was pretty easy to punch the needle through the sequin using a pair of pliers. Again, didn't get far, but did pretty good for being sick.

MerEmma
03-21-2013, 11:14 AM
Ooh, the sequins will look gorgeous on that tail!

Morticia Mermaid
03-21-2013, 11:17 AM
Ooh, the sequins will look gorgeous on that tail!

Thank ya dear. All the gold, other than the streaks in the fluke, are going to be covered in sequins. I've got a visual in my head, and it looks really awesome