Very new....just dreaming..

[Mermaid Avalon]

hello everyone..
I am new here...I found out about mermaiding via a few people from the long hair community. I couldnt believe something like this existed and I was very happy to discover many photos, videos, costumes, lifestyle, etc.
I have felt drawn to the sea every since I was a little girl. I long to be near water and there is nothing quite like the experience of a day at the beach for me. I have had fantasy type day dreams of being a mermaid before...!
I am very interested in finding out more about purchasing a tail....if anyone has any links to afforable-ish tails or even used tails for sale, I would greatly appreciate it!
I am also interested in sea inspired jewelry, especially hair accessories for costume and every day.
I'm thinking ahead to the Summer where I'll be asking photographer friends to do some shoots at our beach house. I am also traveling to Turks and Caicos in november 2013 and this will be such a fantastic location for photos and video!
Any advice is very helpful-- thank you!

[AniaR]

welcome to the forum, any of the info you could ever want is here so I suggest browsing through and reading any stickied threads :)

[Mermaid Avalon]

thanks so much! I will spend much of this afternoon looking through everything.....
I found a tail that is in my budget.....and the site looks reputable. I have also seen this tailor spoken of on these boards...
https://themertailor.com/store/Spandex_Mermaid_Tail
the mertailor's spandex tail. hmmm?

[AptaMer]

Hi Mermaidtresses,

You can look at the Mertailor reviews in this thread here:

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1227-Mertailor

[drucilla]

Welcome!

[jukumerboii]

heyyyyy! welcome to the lagoon!

[MermaidBrittany]

Welcome! :) You can actually make a tail like that very easily on your own if you wanted to save some money :)

[Thalassa]

Welcome! I'm a long-hair follower, too, but I suffered a setback when a sadistic hairdresser didn't understand how much an inch was. I'm currently approaching BSL again, so excited. ;-)

I never looked much for fabric tails, so I can't help you much there, but I know there are a bunch of threads on making your own fabric tail. I'll keep an eye out for mermaid hair toys, I didn't even think to look for swimmable hair toys!

[MerEmma]

Welcome! I'd like to recommend AquaTails to you, as well as MagicTail. Check out the reviews. It can be pretty overwhelming though, haha.

[Mermaid Melusinah]

Welcome!! You should check out Shadow Fancy! They are having a super tail sale AND are currently holding a raffle for a custom painted premium tail! Tickets are only $10 for one or 3 for $25! there isnt a limit to how many tickets you can buy, so your chance of winning really depends on you. BUT that means that you could get a great tail for basically a huge fraction of that they normally cost!

http://www.facebook.com/ShadowFantasyCreations

[Mermaid Avalon]

thank you so, so much everyone! Ive been thinking a lot tonight and I had a talk with my husband.....
I am thinking that, besides doing this for pleasure, I'd really like to "bring" it to people, as well...specifically children
I have worked with children in many capacities for the past 13 years---- as a public and private school teacher, a waldorf teacher, a conservation educator at our local zoo, gymnastics/dance/swim coach, etc. I also have extensive background in acting and modeling, as well! I'd really love to make educational appearances at preschools/daycares/elementary schools to teach about marine conservation...perhaps read a story, have a discussion, sing songs, and leave the children with coloring pages, etc. Experiences like this are always memorable for children!
I very much remember LOVING our oceanography block in school.....my bedroom was plastered with photos of orcas and other sea life. When "free willy" was released, well, that was a HUGE thing for me. I always wanted to be a dolphin trainer or...well, a mermaid.. Now that I am a teacher, here is my chance to bring something I very very inspired by and passionate about. This is what makes for a teacher who loves what they do-- if *they* are connected to it, children really do pick up on this.
I am very excited for this!
I am thinking that I'll need a latex tail or something other than fabric (although, the man from mertailor emailed me back very promptly and there is a good deal going on-- 10% off and a free shell top!). The reason for this is because I think the bulk of my mermaiding will be done on land...(at schools, birthday parties, etc.)...I'll need a tail that keeps its shape-- not something that will kind of droop over and hang a lot of fabric off the end...
Does that make sense?

[ButterflyVision]

Welcome! When looking for tail read the reviews but don't let the negativity bring you done. Decide for yourself. Find a style you like see what you can afford. And don't be afraid to ask questions. Even though a lot of the threads on here cover almost everything we are willing to answer any thing you want to know. We are all family. :)

[Mermaid Avalon]

so- I have spent the entire day looking at tail options. My eyes are ready for sleep....
But I am still unsure of what to do:(
As I stated, it looks like I'll be doing mostly out of water work (photos, children's activities)....so I'll need something that holds its shape.
I've thought about a partial silicone fishbutts tail...I am wondering if she takes payment in installments. Hmmm..
I've also thought about the mertailor spandex tail...but I am worried about it losing its shape. I did email him (he's gotten back to me quickly with my initial question) asking if I could take out the included 2 swimfins and cut a monofin to fit the fabric so it wouldn't sag while on land...
any advice? I am really wondering how spandex tails do on land..