Rainbow Reef Tail

[Mermaid Saphira]

I was originally going to hold off on making this thread until after I finished the tail, but I just couldn't contain it any longer!
Okay, so...The tail's base is turquoise colored spandex over a dolphin cut wave monofin. The rainbow colored accents are either
going to be sequins or lumiere paint depending on my budget and what I can find.

Lumiere tail (painted tail)
The tail's base will consist of turquoise colored spandex
The rainbow accents will be created using metallic paint
A scale effect will be created using the "fishnet technique"

Sequin tail (covered in sequins)
The tail's base consists of turquoise colored spandex
the whole tail would be covered in sequins
OR the rainbow accents will be covered in sequins and the rest o the tail remains the same

Mixture Tail (both painted and sequined)
The tail's base will consist of turquoise colored spandex
a few sequins will overlap the paint and spandex
OR just the rainbow accents are covered in sequins
OR just the blue is covered in sequins (kind of ify on this idea)

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I know what you are all thinking..."Is this tail inspired by Mermaid Raven's tails?" and before you ask, it is indeed inspired by her tail but it has all of my own twists to it. I just really liked her design alot but then again wanted something a little more original :) PS: Thanks to my mom for the name lol

I have already gotten the skin done, which I will take pictures of later ;) In the meantime, what do you mers think so far? What option do you think would work best for the tail? Sequins or Paint, maybe even a mixture of both? Feel free to comment! ;)

EDIT (tail skin photo added into information):
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[Koral]

Considering how long spandex tails DON'T last, I'd say paint. Unless you are using minimal sequins and just gluing them on.

Sigh, someday I want to make a sequin tail from neoprene.

[Mermaid Saphira]

Considering how long spandex tails DON'T last, I'd say paint. Unless you are using minimal sequins and just gluing them on.

Sigh, someday I want to make a sequin tail from neoprene.

They don't last very long? Thats weird, mine seem to last years...maybe it's just because i rarely get to use them :/ If i was to do sequins I would be gluing them on, I've heard e6000 glue works which makes me happy because I love that glue! lol I hope you get the chance to make your sequined tail one day :)

[Koral]

I've gone through 3 tails now, but at the same time 2 were recycled spandex and one was spare "mutt fabric" I had laying around. But due to these experiences I am a little scared to try spandex! I went straight to latex. I generally swim 3 times a week. ;) So mine so get a lot of wear and tear.

[Mermaid Saphira]

I've gone through 3 tails now, but at the same time 2 were recycled spandex and one was spare "mutt fabric" I had laying around. But due to these experiences I am a little scared to try spandex! I went straight to latex. I generally swim 3 times a week. ;) So mine so get a lot of wear and tear.

Nothing to be afraid of w/ spandex..it's a great material ;) lol Good luck w/ ur latex tail!

[Koral]

Yeah, I probably just have bad luck because of the old material I've been using. I'll have to try it another time with fresh stuff. Thanks! Good luck to you too, show us progress!

[MerEmma]

The rainbow accents would look gorgeous with sequins, but I'll have to agree with Koral nonetheless. I love your design.

[Mermaid Saphira]

Yeah, I probably just have bad luck because of the old material I've been using. I'll have to try it another time with fresh stuff. Thanks! Good luck to you too, show us progress!
Most certainly will! And if you decide to jump into the world of spandex..good luck :D

[Mermaid Saphira]

The rainbow accents would look gorgeous with sequins, but I'll have to agree with Koral nonetheless. I love your design.
ThanQ for the input :)

[Mermaid Fenicia]

That tail reminds me of Rainbow dash from My Little Pony ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

That tail reminds me of Rainbow dash from My Little Pony ;)

Gotta love Rainbow dash <3 lol

[Ashe]

Love the design! I saw that Raven made a tail like this too! And i am also getting a rainbow themed FishButt! The rainbow tails are seeming to become a trend amongst us mers, am i right? :D

[Koral]

I love vibrant colors, but in the fashion of tropical fish, but not so much the outright rainbow theme. To each their own, I can admire but I wouldn't wear an entire rainbow myself. :) That said! This tail design isn't much a "rainbow" but a primary color design with some lovely appeal to it!

[Elle]

I love lumiere paints. A friend of mine does airbrushing pictures with them and they are such pretty colours!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Love the design! I saw that Raven made a tail like this too! And i am also getting a rainbow themed FishButt! The rainbow tails are seeming to become a trend amongst us mers, am i right? :D
I did mention that it was inspired by raven tail! I just love the colors, it makes me feel so bold cuz I usually just want a solid colored tail :P

[MerEmma]

The tail looks gorgeous so far! And glad you're okay. (:

[Mermaid Saphira]

thanX and me 2..it wasn't at all bad here :p

[Mermaid Saphira]

Might take up Joanns on the sale price for lumiere...

Also, I would like to introduce you to the mersona of this tail
I haven't decide on her name yet so we will call her rain.
Rain is basically a beautiful and curious little anime mermaid.
She is easily fascinated by love and she hopes to find it one day.
Rain has a bubbly and friendly personality which comes in handy when she
converses with the dolphins and fish.

[MerAnthony]

MY Joanns doesn't sell lumiere paints. :(

[Mermaid Wesley]

just a little info from a swimmer here --- lyrica/spandex disintegrates faster if you pool swim and if you do, RINSE IT VERY VERY WELL. In fact, if the chlorine is too strong, your tail could get bleached and weakened by the chlorine. If you pool swim in ANY tail/ bathing suit, rinsing and soaking in clean, chlorine-free water afterwards extends the life of your stuff. Also NEVER MACHINE DRY A WET BATHING SUIT/SPANDEX TAIL. it breaks down the elastic and stuff. let it air dry flat and not stretched out. with the proper care and keeping of your spandex, you should have a long lasting spandex tail!

[Mermaid Saphira]

just a little info from a swimmer here --- lyrica/spandex disintegrates faster if you pool swim and if you do, RINSE IT VERY VERY WELL. In fact, if the chlorine is too strong, your tail could get bleached and weakened by the chlorine. If you pool swim in ANY tail/ bathing suit, rinsing and soaking in clean, chlorine-free water afterwards extends the life of your stuff. Also NEVER MACHINE DRY A WET BATHING SUIT/SPANDEX TAIL. it breaks down the elastic and stuff. let it air dry flat and not stretched out. with the proper care and keeping of your spandex, you should have a long lasting spandex tail!

I have used this information from my first tail. They are wonderful and should really be payed attention to ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

MY Joanns doesn't sell lumiere paints. :(

Mine doesn't sell lumiere either..I was talking about online ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

My tail(s) is/are on hold until after the holidays. I wish I had the lumiere now to keep me occupied, but Christmas rush shipping is just too wild right now. Still considering putting on a few sequins?? We will have to see.... ;) Happy holidays!

[Mermaid Saphira]

My dad gave me the wonderful chance to go shopping where they actually have the crafty things I need to enhance my merdrobe! While I did collect some beautiful swimsuit fabric, I still haven't found lumiere. I went to 4 seperate stores, 5 if you count the one closer to me, searching for it and not one of them even had anything remotely close to it. Either I am going to have to wait and order online, which I would much rather not do, settle for paint that isn't metallic or use sequins. I will keep you mers updated on what i decide. ThanQ for following this thread :D

[Mermaid Saphira]

Considering changing up the design of this tail to cut back on the # of bottles of lumiere I will need to obtain. I already have two designs in mind, if I get the chance I will sketch them up and show you mers ;)

[Mermaid Saphira]

So, drawing the designs didn't work out and photoshop doesn't want to cooperate with me, thus I am just going to show you a few images for inspiration I had in mind....

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**More coming later on **

[Mermaid Saphira]

So mers, I think i have all the inspirational pictures down, what are your thoughts? Opinions? :)

[MerEmma]

So no more rainbow reef tail? :P I think I like the Melissa one best.

[Mermaid Saphira]

So no more rainbow reef tail? :P I think I like the Melissa one best.

Sadly no, It just requires too many bottles of paint that I don't have the money for, thus I am going to try another design.
The Melissa tail? Okay, thanQ for your opinion :D

[Mermaid Saphira]

sketches???

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^ Inspired by Melissa's tail

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^ inspired by Mertailor tail...added side fringe ;)

[MerEmma]

I like the first one, methinks. :b

[Mermaid Danielle]

I love the design you've drawn out!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Danke!! ^-^
now to decide which one will be for this tail and which one for my other turquoise fabric >.>

[MerEmma]

Good luck!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Ah, I have been away too long! It is official, I simply must start on this tail! I suppose I am just not feeling the motivation >,,>

This tail will certainly be inspired by Melissa's tail, with a fishnet leggings paint job, lumiere paint (online -_-), and perhaps a sequin or two!
I'm have to wait until later today or tomorrow to order the paint but I will do it!!

[Lotus]

hmm, all very pretty... just FYI, the top pic you posted is not Mermaid Melissa... It's Kristi Sherk.
Honestly tho- You should do what you love most in your heart. It's great to get input, but at the end of the day this is YOUR creation, and it should be what you really love! Best of luck to you, I'm sure no matter what it'll be beautiful

[Mermaid Saphira]

hmm, all very pretty... just FYI, the top pic you posted is not Mermaid Melissa... It's Kristi Sherk.
Honestly tho- You should do what you love most in your heart. It's great to get input, but at the end of the day this is YOUR creation, and it should be what you really love! Best of luck to you, I'm sure no matter what it'll be beautiful

No, I did post a picture of mermaid melissa...think it's toward the bottom? >.>
ThanQ for that :3 I wish you luck with your tail as well!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Possible design change again, I know this is getting pretty annoying :P lol
My dad is going to show me how to airbrush so that I can work on this design (http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=610&attachmentid=10065), this design (http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=610&attachmentid=10064), or this design (http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=610&attachmentid=10057) :D
I hope to get lumiere for easter.

[MerEmma]

So many changes! I like the 2nd one, I think.

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ I know :P I'm one of those people who has a hard time making up their mind!
ThanQ for your input ;)