How can I make a top like this or, at least, where can I buy it?

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Hi everyone :) I'm sorry for my absence but I'm preparing 5 exams at university and I'm trying to collect some money to buy my tail (and also I'm creating the desing) therefore I have no time to post here but I always think to you :)

Anyway talking about what I want to ask.....well I was always enchanted by the Charmed's episode where Phoebe was turned into a mermaid and now that I'm ready to buy a tail I would like to have a top similar to her that doesn't need anything to stay on also while swimming in the water(probabily I'll need a good body-glue someone can tell me if there is a glue that will fit my necessities?) and will make who is watching me thinking that scales are grow also on the top of my body like a real mermaid.

I post some immages to let you understand better what I mean

7567<--- this is how I would like it to be75657566




Thank you very much to all for the help :D

[Elle]

for the scale ones, you can use those stick on bras or you can buy nipple covers, which would cover less area.
I think Ilonka, did some nipple cover ones.

and you can use latex or silicone to create the scale pattern

[Winged Mermaid]

The Charmed tail and scale top is by Thom Shouse. He sells the tops still! You can buy them here for $50: http://www.mermaidrentals.com/index.php/mer-chandise/mer-chandise/tops

You could make the one in the 3rd picture by taking a some scraps of neoprene material, use the material of your choice (tin cure latex/latex caulking/alex plus, slip casting latex thickened with a latex thickener, tin cure silicone/silicone caulking/GE Silicone, or dragonskin/platinum cure silicone thickened with silicone thickener) and then follow the texturing steps with netting or metal grating (see tailmaking section for information on that). After it's all done up and painted, just trim the material to the size and shape you want. That look was created by cutting irregular edges to make it look organic.

Spirit gum is a popular adhesive, but I find it doesn't hold up as well as it should. I've heard MUCH better things about Pros-Aid (http://www.pros-aide.com/).

There are a lot of options for scale tops that have more coverage. They're easy to make yourself using a bra and the same method I mentioned above.

Here's a picture of using that to make a self adhesive bra:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=178596055529816&set=a.178596025529819.45369.178589958863759&type=3&theater

And a picture of using that on a strapless bra: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=246428052044603&set=pb.220387801315295.-2207520000.1352724994&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash4%2F285572_246428052044603_562724_n.jpg&size=537%2C720
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=249041468449928&set=pb.220387801315295.-2207520000.1352724994&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-snc6%2F251431_249041468449928_302909_n.jpg&size=537%2C720

Merbella Studios (Raven) and Mertailor also sell silicone molded scale bras. Merbella Studios is $85 last it was listed (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=315112178544869&set=a.178596025529819.45369.178589958863759&type=3&theater), and Mertailor's is $150 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=540341382650115&set=pb.130816216935969.-2207520000.1352725562&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-snc6%2F201171_540341382650115_260045309_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F155349_540341382650115_260045309_n.jpg&size=1529%2C2048).

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Thank you very much Winged Mermaid! :)
But I wonder if this Pros-Aid hold on also into water while swimming...???

Just another question....and if I would make something like this?

76357634(sorry for the bad quality of this second picture but I took it from a video on Youtube)

How can I do?
Again thank you very much to all who help me and will help me :D

[Winged Mermaid]

But I wonder if this Pros-Aid hold on also into water while swimming...???


Yes, Pros-Aid is waterproof. From what I've heard it's much better than Spirit Gum, which is what mers usually use for this kind of thing. I've heard very good things about the Pros-Aid. However apparently when it freezes it solidifies permanently, so don't ship it across certian locations if the weather is at or below freezing.

The first one is Hannah Fraser. She makes her tops by sewing many many sequins to strapless or self adhesive bras. In that particular shot all that was on her for her "top" was individually adhered sequins, adhered with Pros-Aid or another waterpoof skin-safe glue. She likes this look for shoots, but it's not practical for public wear and it probably takes quite a while to put on.

The second one from what I can tell is a strapless swimming top with things glued/sewn onto it. But I can't tell very well from the picture.

[Mermaid Kassandra]

I took the second one from a video on Youtube of Mermaid Kariel but I couldn't understand how she made it, I only know that is magnificent and I would like to make something similar :)

So Pros-Aid solidifies permanently whe I swim in water that is -0° or something like this right?And what can you tell me about Spirit Gum?Can you tell me what should be the best to swim in an acquarium tank?

[Winged Mermaid]

Mermaid Kariel uses a lot of self-adhesive bras too. Couldn't be sure about that one unless I saw the video.

I was saying that you can't have pros-aid shipped to you if it's at freezing temperature wise outside, because once it freezes it solidifies for good and is ruined. So you have to be careful when you order it, and where you order it from. Like if you live somewhere where it's summer right now, ordering from some place in the northern USA where it's winter could be a poor decision, because you could end up with a useless product. I would hope you wouldn't swim in water that's 0ºC/32ºF.. well you can't if the WATER is at that temperature because that's the freezing point.. so water would be ice :P

Spirit Gum (http://www.mehron.com/Spirit_Gum_Liquid_Adhesive_p/118.htm) is a body safe liquid adhesive used for applying prosthetics and such- it was made for theater. People use them to apply fake mustaches, secure bald caps, apply other prosthetics (such as fake wounds for zombies), apply fairy ears, clown use them to keep on their clown noses, ect ect.

However when I ask people the difference between the two, they say, "Pros-aide is so much better than spirit gum, you'll never want to go back."

Which ever you decide to go with, be sure to get the remover to go with it. You don't need it to remove the stuff from you body, but there is a residue that gets left behind that can be hard to get off without the remover. Also, be sure how to read to apply both of them. You can end up getting frustrated and thinking that it "doesn't work" if you don't apply them properly. With any body adhesive, don't use any lotions or sunscreen on that area and clean your skin with rubbing alcohol (just some on a cotton ball and wipe the area)- you are basically avoiding and getting rid of oil on the skin so the adhesive will have a firm bond. With Spirit gum, you have to wait until it's dried a bit so it's tacky before you apply it. With pros-aide it's not activated until it is fully dry. It's a milky colour that dries clear. Once it's clear, it's sticky and ready to bond.

[AptaMer]

One way to go might be to get a NuBra:

http://nubra.com/

and add scales, or other features to it. Can you get sculptable silicone or something to add the features?

Winged Mermaid, I'm wondering if this one you linked to

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=178596055529816&set=a.178596025529819.45369.178589958863759&type=3&theater

was made using a NuBra?

[Winged Mermaid]

Yes, that one was made using a NuBra brand bra specifically. NuBra + Alex Plus textured with netting + createx paint (see tail making section for more info). If you want to get or make a top where you are not wearing any other kind of support at all then get a NuBra. Getting a brand name you're paying for the quality of the adhesive. However the adhesive will eventually wear out on all self adhesive bras no matter the brand. When I make a top with a self adhesive bra I make it so I do not have to depend on the adhesive in order for it to be worn (so some kind of straps). I get the off-brand ones at JoAnn Fabrics (this kind: http://www.joann.com/adhesive-bra-size-c/zprd_10687978a/) and use a 40%-60% off coupon every time, making it so I pay no more than $18 for it. However it's been about a year and a half now since I made my top (with the off brand) and the adhesive is still holding strong! So in my opinion the "Curvana" brand is good quality but you can get it at a much lower price. There are tons of off brands to these types of bras now! They even sell them at Target for $17. I don't know what the quality of those are like though.

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Wingéd Mermaid this is Kariel's video from Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFjVAdQ95YQ&list=UUVlog547Uituo5o_rXhHF5g&index=19&feature=plcp
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFjVAdQ95YQ&list=UUVlog547Uituo5o_rXhHF5g&index=19&feature=plcp)
Thank you very much for your suggestions :) I think I'll order Pros-aide this summer from north America (I live in Italy) so that there won't be problems :D

[Winged Mermaid]

Ah, I see now! It's a self adhesive bra with shells and starfish attached to it. Then she had a strip of semitransparent white material that she put over it and tied on the side.

[Mermaid Kassandra]

So that top is made with a bra, some shells and starfish? WOW! If I am not wrong also a member of this forum made something like this right?

[Mermaid Annariea]

are there any places to get a nubra-type thing with clear straps or something??? ITS DRIVING ME NUTS, lol.

[Mermaid Saphira]

Did this style top ever get crafted?

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Yes I did but unfortunately I'm not a busty mer therefore it looks very horrible :( anyway I really like the idea of making a top like the Chrmed's one therefore I'm just waiting to a new idea to make my look more...ehm....accessorized I would say XD