Mizuko's Silicone Tail

[Mizuko]

Hello everyone!
I've been putting off posting this here because I'm scared it wont go to my expectations, but I finally decided to post because it is great motivation :)
I've decided to make my own silicone tail- thanks to all the incredible tutorials on here!! I've been researching for over a year now and its time to dive in.
First of all, I have some challenges. Unfortunately because I live in Australia, Dragon Skin silicone is hard to get. The only supplier is (luckily) in my city, however it is $408 a gallon compared to $184... thats almost 3 times the price... so I think I'll have to use a shopping service and ship it over from the US. Second challenge is that I live in a tiny flat with no garage/shed to work in. So I'm currently on the hunt for a shed someone will let me borrow for a few weeks! Haha!
Other than this, the third and final challenge is, of course, money. Because a lot of supplies are either shipped in or imported through other companies, the price of special Fx and molding is ridiculous. I am considering starting a 'fund me' program- as any assistance would be incredible- but I'm not holding my breath. Haha!

Anyways, after all this I am still really keen to move forward with this project. To be able to make my own tail will be... well, incredible! I am lucky enough to own a Merbella's neoprene/silicone tail and it is so beautiful... I hope I can create something half as pretty.


This tail will be a recreation of my very first mermaid tail, one I foldly call The Pink Peacock.
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Here is the design sketch:
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I wanted something different for the side/dorsal/ankle fins so I went with a girly look. I know the dorsal will be a little bit of a drag, so this design might change! Lol! I wont purposely be painting each scale individually as I did for the fabric tail, but I do plan to do some of them. Its going to be an experiment! Hehe!

As for steps, I have made a leg cast using glad wrap and duct-tape, and finally fibre glass to give it strength. I did this while I was home over Christmas; my Dad makes surfboards in his free time so he has a huge shed and lots of fibre glass to spare! I know it has been said that you dont nessesarily need a leg cast to make a full silicone tail, however I'm taking no chances with sizing! We quite literaly took the duct-tape dummy in about an inch before fibre-glassing it (which only added an extra 1-2cm to the width) so I'm sure to have a tight fitting tail.
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I've also made the patterns for the fluke and extra fins (no photos yet!) but the fluke may change in size as I'm now saving for a Competitor monofin and after measuring it theres a chance it may be too short in size (and I thought I made it huge! Haha!). Once I have enough for the monofin I'll be visiting the molding & casting supplies store here in my city to pick up the clay. I plan on using liquid plastic for the molds themselves, as I dont want my molds to degrade over time & using cardboard for mold boxes is easier for me to source. The only issue with this is of course storage as they will be solid, but my partner has been kind enough to give me the spare room for all my mermaid things. Haha!


And thats it for now :) I'll start the scale mold as soon as I've saved up enough for the silicone. I want to complete this project by July, but I dont know how well that time frame will go due to money and other commitments! It doesn't get cold enough here in Australia to worry about Silicone freezing or anything, so as far as doing it during Winter it will be fine :) But please wish me luck! XD

[MerEmma]

Whoa! Congratulations and it sounds like an amazing project! I love the fins on your design.

[MerAndrew]

Wow, that is great congratulations that is a very cool project and I like it very much.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Wow! Such a big project! i wish u all the best of luck! <3 !

[Aino Revontuletar]

I'm also in Australia and wanting to make my own silicone tail. Let me know if you find a shopping service to use because I need one too!

[Kanti]

Very cool!
But wow that sure is a lot youre going to have to be dealing with. I can't believe it's $400 a gallon over where you like that's insane!
If I were you, Id just start working on the scale sheet immediately. It really takes forever and you can make it with about $20 worth of materials.

Good luck!

[Aino Revontuletar]

I know, it's ridiculous. Everything here is like three times the price as it is in America. I have a lot of American friends and they all say they have no idea how I even get by when everything is so expensive -___-

[Mertara]

wow! I'm excited for you! Let me know how sculpting in clay goes! Are you going to do all the scales in one go or keep it moist somehow and come back to it here and there?

[Mizuko]

Thank you everyone!
Yeah, the price of things here is insane. Its really not fair for us Aussie mermaids XD
I plan on making the scale sheet from foam, not clay, as it is the cheepest option and the cost of this project is already looking like $2000 due to materials. I have to find a big enough box/make one before I start the sheet. I would really LOVE to do one big sheet so there would be one seam! :D

[Aino Revontuletar]

I am going to use foam for my mold box and liquid plastic for my molds as well. Are you just going to buy your liquid plastic from the supplier here? I am currently on the lookout for someone I can use for a shopping service to get my silicone too, but it is probably going to cost a fortune in postage to be shipped from the US, so i might just end up having to suck it up and buy from the supplier here anyway. Just means it will take a lot longer for me to save up. I live in New South Wales, you're really lucky you live close enough to them!

[Mizuko]

I'll be buying it from here- I'm in SA and we've got two major molding & casting supply stores that stock alot of FX stuff :) Liquid plastic, as far as I was aware, isn't too expensive. But then again, I havent checked personally with the stores yet cos I'm not sure how much I'll need! haha!
My time-line plans were as follows:
get competitor monofin
make clay molds of fluke and fins
set molds with liquid plastic
Order silicone (as I will probably put it on an actual ship- the cost is so much cheeper... but this means it will be 1-2months til I get it! lol!)
In the mean time make scale sheet.

That was the plan... but plans dont always go the right way! haha!

[Aino Revontuletar]

Nice! I have my competitor monofin already, which I bought off Amazon, and am thinking of starting with the scale mold, making the box out of styrofoam and the scales themselves out of craft foam. Then get liquid plastic, and then get clay and start on my fluke and extra fins, cast that with liquid plastic and then do the silicone. I don't know if I would trust putting my silicone on an actual ship, my cousin ordered a school formal dress and accidentally chose the ground shipping option and she never got it!

[Mizuko]

I plan on getting 4 gallons, so it is really the only option I have. XD I'm getting extra just in case, and if I dont screw up I'll have enough to make another tail! (I'm dying to make a realistic Ariel tail... hehe!)

[Aino Revontuletar]

Are you ordering all your silicone at once? I figure that since silicone sticks to itself running out wouldn't be such a big problem since you can just buy more and top up your mold if you end up pouring it and it's not completely full

[Mizuko]

Yes, I'm ordering all at once. But because I want to pigment the paint into it before it cures, I want to ensure I have enough for everything so I can guarantee the colours are all the same. Plus, if I'm already paying for shipping for 2 gallons I might as well get 4 :P

[Aino Revontuletar]

I was going to pigment it the base colours and then use more silicone to paint over the top to put in the details. I was thinking of getting three gallons since my fluke will be very big. I dunno, I would be awfully worried about trusting one of those ships with my silicone, but you are right in that it may be the only option since it is supposed to be very heavy. I am thinking I might have to just go with the supplier here, but I will see I guess. Its just such a pain in the butt that it has to be so stupidly expensive :(

[Mizuko]

Alot of my family has had things shipped via boats and we've never had any issues- surfboards, guitars, etc. You can pay for insurance and if they get lost you get your money back for the items :)

[Aino Revontuletar]

Well, I guess that definitely is a possibility then. I wonder how much it would cost? I was also thinking that perhaps there is a different brand of platinum cure silicone that we could use that is cheaper to buy here than dragonskin. I would rather use dragonskin if possible, since it is what everyone uses, but there could be something else that is suitable

[Mizuko]

As far as I was aware it can be as low as $30 to ship 30kilos to Australia from the US :) but I'll have to get back to you on that once I've finished saving up for the silicone and contacted the shopping service for details!
I think there is suitable silicone here in Australia... but I'm not taking any chances. lol! Dragon Skin is 'safe': so many people use it and have answers to difficulties that may arise, so I'm sticking with it! hehe! XD fool-proof, you might say. Haha!

[Aino Revontuletar]

Yeah, I think I will be sticking with dragonskin too for the same reason. I have never worked with silicone before so it really wouldn't be worth the risk

[Kanti]

Dragonskin is great because it's from Smooth-on and they have great customer service as well as all the technical info for their products.
I looked around for an alternative for silicone before and I found that there is really no other place with quite as much info out there, or at least, I never found one.
I'd stick with them because you have the info and if you need more you can call them!

[Aino Revontuletar]

Hmmm... I was just looking up shipping rates for surface mail from the US and it said that USPS has discontinued their surface mail shipping option :O I couldn't find any other services that look to be similar

[Mizuko]

there are quite a few... I know DHL does shipping also, and some smaller companies. I wasn't looking too much into it until I had the right amount of money for the silicone anyway :) But I know there are alot of private shipping companies :)

[Patches]

I can't wait to see this when it's done :D

[Mizuko]

I literally just discovered a place nearby that stocks flat boxes that if I join them together it will be big enough to make one single scale sheet... I'm going to stop by there tonight after work and investigate! :D

[Aino Revontuletar]

I just found this store that sells platinum cure silicone and liquid plastics that's a lot cheaper than buying the smooth-on products from the other place http://www.dalchem.com.au/
I wonder how their silicone compares to dragonskin, and if it really would be that much different or more difficult to use. Their liquid plastics also seem to be a lot cheaper than the other place.

[Mizuko]

Looks interesting, although looking briefly I dont think it cures clear? I'm sticking with Dragon Skin still, I'm more confident with it :)

[Aino Revontuletar]

(don't mind me, i am just continuing to hijack this thread with my research...) I just looked again at a few other casting and moulding sites including barnes.com.au, another one I found, and all the silicone suppliers that I have found here tend to sell platinum silicone in 10kg batches, for about $550- $600 per 10kg. A "gallon" of dragonskin apparently weighs 16 pounds, just over 7kg, so really if you were going to buy two gallons of dragonskin, that would cost $800, and you would get 14kg, so really you would be paying pretty much the same amount anyway no matter what brand of silicone you use. That's Australia for you

[Kanti]

Nice find Aino!
That website has a technically bulletin that shows a LOT of info.
It also does have transparent silicones, but the problem is that their softest silicone (well at least what I was able to find) was 18A which is almost as hard as Dragonskin20 which I wouldn't really recommend for a tail.
Not to mention it's actually MORE expensive than Smooth-on's price.
Smooth on brings 16lbs (around 7kg) per order of $180.00
This website has 5kg for $300, and it's not even really explicitly saying whether or not it comes with two gallons like Smooth-on does. It says "only one piece per order" so I assume the 5kg includes both parts.

[Mermaid Saphira]

This is an exciting feat! I would love to be able to see your pink tail turn into something amazing, it was already so beautiful and will probably be even more beautiful when brought to it's fully glory. Good luck :D

[Mizuko]

Thank you Mermaid Saphira! :D
Update- I got sick last week with a flu and spent all week in bed... ><; So no progress on the scale sheets!! I am in the process of selling a bunch of my clothes (I'm into an expensive Japanese fashion that luckily resells really well) so if all goes well I'll have enough $ to purchase a Competitor Monofin by the end of the week, and have a little left over for supplies ^^ *crosses fingers and fins*

[Mizuko]

ANOTHER update! haha!

I started my scale mold but had some trouble. The foam I got was a wee bit too thick for my cutter (I could fit it if I shoved it in, but it warped it and was so time consuming). I took apart the cutter and tried to see if I could use it like a cookie-cutter, by pressing the sharp shape into the foam- but with no luck. I was THIS close to purchasing some thinner 1mm foam from overseas (yep, another thing no local stores or local ebay seems to stock, ugh!) when my best friend mentioned she might have a solution...
There is a craft workshop here in my city which lets you use their machines for free- you just have to pay for the materials you use. They have a 3d printer; and a lazer cutter. So I'm now looking into getting all my scales cut out of the foam using the lazer cutter! It'll be some hard maths- as I'll need to make sure I have more than enough scales- but it will be alot less time consuming as I can CREATE my own shape for the scale and get them all cut out at once! That will make my scale mold unique, which is really exciting.
I'll be exploring it this weekend, so I'll let you all know how it turns out! :D

[Mermaid Lilium]

ANOTHER update! haha!

I started my scale mold but had some trouble. The foam I got was a wee bit too thick for my cutter (I could fit it if I shoved it in, but it warped it and was so time consuming). I took apart the cutter and tried to see if I could use it like a cookie-cutter, by pressing the sharp shape into the foam- but with no luck. I was THIS close to purchasing some thinner 1mm foam from overseas (yep, another thing no local stores or local ebay seems to stock, ugh!) when my best friend mentioned she might have a solution...
There is a craft workshop here in my city which lets you use their machines for free- you just have to pay for the materials you use. They have a 3d printer; and a lazer cutter. So I'm now looking into getting all my scales cut out of the foam using the lazer cutter! It'll be some hard maths- as I'll need to make sure I have more than enough scales- but it will be alot less time consuming as I can CREATE my own shape for the scale and get them all cut out at once! That will make my scale mold unique, which is really exciting.
I'll be exploring it this weekend, so I'll let you all know how it turns out! :D

:O OH! great thinking Watson! :D I didn't even think about that.... there's a lazer cutter in my University building! :D Didn't even THINK about that!

[Aino Revontuletar]

Thank you Mermaid Saphira! :D
Update- I got sick last week with a flu and spent all week in bed... ><; So no progress on the scale sheets!! I am in the process of selling a bunch of my clothes (I'm into an expensive Japanese fashion that luckily resells really well) so if all goes well I'll have enough $ to purchase a Competitor Monofin by the end of the week, and have a little left over for supplies ^^ *crosses fingers and fins*

Are you a lolita by any chance? I am a lolita, but I just can't bring myself to sell any of my clothes because I'm just too attached to them! Except I did sell one skirt which was a little bit too small for me, and it did get me the extra cash to buy my competitor monofin.

After all that research I eventually decided I will be sticking with dragonskin too, shopping service or no. Ah well.

It's cool that you found a laser cutter, what sort of foam are you making your scaled out of? I was just thinking of using styrofoam for a mold box and then using craft foam that I will just cut with scissors to make the actual scales

[Mizuko]

Yep, I'm a loli :) I've been wearing it for 7 years now, but mermaiding is more important to me. I've got a whole wardrobe full, but unfortunatley nobody is buying sweet style at the moment so I've got about $900 worth of dresses waiting to be sold! XP it sucks!
My scales will be out of craft foam also :)

[Aino Revontuletar]

I've been wearing lolita for about 2 1/2 years or so. If I sold all my clothes I would probably have enough to make my tail but agh I don't wanna I want both!!! I would rather save up and make the money another way. I have been thinking of starting my own little 'brand' for a while now to help me get money for things like this tail, but I haven't got that idea off the ground yet I have been too busy with other things. But its ok, I know I can save the money for a tail without selling my clothes if I just concentrate on it. If I wasn't saving for a tail as well, I would ask you what you have to sell!

[Azurin Luna]

Good luck with your tail.

I've been out of luck Lolita clothing wise... they don't sell it here, and if you want to order online, it is never in my size :( I do like the style alot though

[Delphine]

Ah, so you must be the mystery mermaid in Australia that Aino mentioned to me. Hello! As someone who has nearly completed her first silicone tail, please feel free to ask me questions about dragon skin silicone, if that's what you use. As a side note, go for the two seams. I did one large scale sheet, with on large seam, and it was the hardest part of my entire tail, and literally fights back!!! XD I'd love to see some updates and photos when you have 'em. Sounds like a great project you've embarked upon. YES! Use the resources you have! What shape did you decide on for scales?

Hi, Aino. I see you've been researching silicones. Great! :)

[Mizuko]

Hehe, hello! :D Thank you so much! I think I will need a bit of help with this one. haha! I've only just got all the info needed to start lazer-cutting my scales out, so I hope I can get started in a few weeks! :D And my competitor monofin should be here today (YAY! Cant wait to try it out!). I have actually decided on a simple shell-like shape for my scales; like big versions of the sequins everyone uses! I figured it would add something very different to my tail and future tails I might make :D
Hrm, I might have to go with just a half sheet of scales then! I just loved the idea of one big thing I could cast once and then move on. haha! I've got a fibreglass body mold, which I thought would help with one big sheet, but I know you did the same for yours too. I'd hoped it make it easier, but I guess not! haha!
I really hope to have photos up soon! :D I work full time and at night I just crash so I've been super behind ><; Now that I've got my new monofin I can start molding the fluke and extra fins though! :D

[Aino Revontuletar]

I am planning on having two seams too, I just think it would look more even to have a seam on each side than to just have one seam. I have been really busy lately and haven't gotten around to even thinking about gathering my supplies yet, but I have been saving up and I'm getting there! Yes, I did research silicones and came to the conclusion that dragonskin is the way to go :)

[Delphine]

Hi, Mizuko. You're welcome to try the one seam, however in the long run, I wish I'd done 2 side-seams. Ah, well. I may make another tail in the way-far future. XD I still want a few years outta the Delphine Tail. I made a duct-tape mannequin of my legs, didn't have fiberglass. From what I've heard, though, the fiberglass is excellent stuff for tail-making! Good luck, & excited to see pictures!

As a note to you both, Thom Shouse, whom I emailed 2 years ago when I wanted to originally start the Delphine Tail (obviously it didn't get off the ground til now, lol), he recommended Dragon Skin, as the best thing on the market. :)

[Mizuko]

Thank you! :D I think for space-wise I might have to make a half-scale sheet anyway and have two seams... I underestimated the enormity of my scale sheet. haha! XD <3
Competitor monofin has arrived, so I'll be starting on the moulds for the fluke and side fins in the next few weeks (I hope!). My friend who is helping with the laser cutting is keen to get started soon too, so it might end up being a big month! hehe! :D

[Ariel-Starfish]

ooh SO exited! I can't wait for some pictures in the making :p

[Mizuko]

~tiny update~

I've been distracted sewing a Lady of The Lake dress for the local medieval fair, so I've been engrossed in that the last week ^^; But I went for a swim in the new monofin and HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL I dont know how I ever used plastic monofins before XD I honestly CANNOT WAIT to have it in a silicone tail- it will be so incredible to have that much power :D

[Delphine]

Mizuko, what is the Competitor Monofin made of? I saw someone, probably from MN, that had a crazy thin, see-through monofin on youtube, testing it out & swimming quite elegantly. I'd like one of those if I ever do another silicone tail.

[Mizuko]

The competitor monofin is made of fibre glass :) its super thin and lightweight, and when you shake it it sounds like thunder XD I think they made a 'white/clear' fin and a 'black' fin, so perhaps the one you saw was a competitor? Mine came in black. (and I think I know which video you are talking about! haha! If so, yes she had a competitor monofin on! :D )

[ShyMer]

That's interesting, I've seen the black competitor but i figured it was made out of something else. It looks like plastic to me from photos. Cool.

[Mizuko]

Yep, definately fibreglass :) (my dad makes surfboards so I know it when I see/feel it! haha!) I was way too excited shaking it XD haha!

[Delphine]

Yep, definately fibreglass :) (my dad makes surfboards so I know it when I see/feel it! haha!) I was way too excited shaking it XD haha!

Lol, love that. I'd totally walk around my apt shaking it, making monofin "thunder". XD

Thanks, guys. Yeah, maybe i can find the video for you? Whoever the girl was swum wonderfully! If I ever make another tail, I'll probably get a nicer monofin like hers, then I wouldn't have to worry about the stabilizer bars mine has (I'd bought a cheaper monofin, as I'm new to swimming with them & felt it was both intimidating & unnecessary to splurge on my first tail). But for my next.. lol, 5 years later. =P

[Mermaid Lilium]

Mizuko, what is the Competitor Monofin made of? I saw someone, probably from MN, that had a crazy thin, see-through monofin on youtube, testing it out & swimming quite elegantly. I'd like one of those if I ever do another silicone tail.

was it this one? http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-clear-flow/31962/p

If so, 'tis the one I've ordered :D

[Mermaid Varshana]

You think that might be safe to swim ocean currents in? Cuz I-won'-lie, I kinda like that clear look...

[Mermaid Lilium]

You think that might be safe to swim ocean currents in? Cuz I-won'-lie, I kinda like that clear look...

there are videos of mermaid kat swimming in them in the ocean so I would think so. I would imagine if you start cutting into it or altering it that it wouldn't be as well suited.

I've just emailed the website about estimated stock delivery for them so I'll let you know what they say. When mine eventually arrives I'll try and test it in ocean currents for you and let you know how it goes =) the fins are huuuge btw... let me find the video for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpCXR7ZkOzg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvG1JT538H4

here's another person swimming with one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXAjty1zu14&feature=youtu.be

here's the info from their company: http://www.sweammer.com/en/menu-principal/caracteristiques

they're in the monofin list on here but not as well known due to being french rather than american I guess. They're called 'so-dive' on the website I bought from though for some reason.

oh and yeah... I got it for the clear look as I figured it would show a hell of alot less in tails than a solid (and usually bright yellow/blue) fin

[Mermaid Varshana]

Oh goodness! Look at how natural it moves :) it seems like a decent cheaper alternative to a competitor. But I know nada about monofins, besides that you need one that's safe to be in the ocean if you're gonna swim there.

[Mermaid Allie]

I'm getting one of those!! I'm SO excited to get it

[Mermaid Lilium]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one trying them XD Allie have you ordered yours or are you saving up for it? =)

Is it bad that I actually want to extend the monofin into a wider shape? XD

I can't afford a competitor and I want to make sure I can actually swim with a monofin before I start making my neoprene+sequin tail and/or full silicone tails lol

I've been going crazy waiting for my monofin - I had the page up waiting for my money to come through from student finance on april 15th and as soon as it came in at midnight I ordered it XD going stir crazy waiting for scubastore.com to get stock in though arghhh!

and from the research I did.... if you want to do mainly ocean swimming then a stiffer fin is best for propulsion and carbon fibre is probably best for that if you can afford it. And the strips at the edge that re-inforce the fin actually provide a great deal of the power so grinding them down will lessen power in the fin.

finis foil is small and good for pools and low-current rivers etc and great in tails to keep silicone flukes flowy while keeping propulsion

finis wave = smaller than the rapid and so alot more affordable (foil is even cheaper) but obviously won't give you as much power, and you have less to play with if you just want to cut into it.

finis rapid = a good bit bigger than the wave so a little more suited to cutting but it's great for extending too.

finis competitor = the rolls royce. huge, powerful, still flexible and will totally fill a fluke so it's nearly invisible in them (see raina's tail) but pricey. and from having family members who do fishing with carbon fibre poles, it's actually quite brittle so you'd need to look after it well - though I'd imagine a solid silicone fluke would protect it majorly.

so-dive/sweammer = colour choice, decent size, flowy (can even get stickers to decorate it)

oceankina/mahina = shaped, coloured, great for fabric/neoprene tails.

I do suggest reading the monofin thread and spend a whole while reading up on all the options as there are a few other brands.

You can also make your own using cut lexan and some form of foot part (dive boots, fin boots that you can buy to attach to your own fins, hand-made silicone etc etc)

I'd also seen diy jobs fixing bi-fins together.

[Mermaid Varshana]

Does anyplace else sell to North America? Scuba store wants me to pay them $40 to ship a Hydra here...I mean, it beats the hell out of a Competitor. But...

$40? To ship a monofin? For real?

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z443/movieholic92/UhYeahBarrowmanGif.gif

[Mermaid Allie]

Wait it's 40 for shipping?!? NOOOOO. I have sixty dollars to buy the fin and I thought it was a great deal but my mother will NEVER let me buy anything mermaid related for 100 :((((

[Mermaid Allie]

Wait I think the 40 is for 2 day shipping, maybe the standard is less expensive!

[Mermaid Varshana]

They don't appear to give another option when I go through a mock-checkout (ie, clicking the buy button, seeing the cost with shipping, shouting, "NOPE, NOPE, NOPE!" and X'ing out).

[Mermaid Allie]

**cries incessantly**

[Mermaid Allie]

Welp. Most regretfully it's to the finis wave we go.

[Mermaid Varshana]

*cries with you*

[Mermaid Varshana]

I'm trying to find other means around it. This can't be the only place to buy a Hydra.

[Mermaid Allie]

TO THE INTERNET.

[Mermaid Kelda]

This is what it feels like to live in Australia with almost everything you buy.
What's that? You want to buy something nice from Etsy/EBay/Amazon? (Amazon is the WORST for this.) Sure, that'll be $50 postage on that $10 item!
Like seriously. Living on another continent sucks xD

[Mermaid Varshana]

We Americans complain about being taxed so much (but seriously, 20% for the working class ain't a lot) yet I hear lots of stories about the ridiculous costs of things overseas. I was reading here that the cost of Dragonskin Silicone in Australia is approx one arm, three toes, and your firstborn child lol jk...but almost not. I can't imagine many things *not* being imported to Australia. Also I hear Sydney is way more expensive to live in than New York City, and most normal people in the US can't afford to live there. But if I'm not mistaken the average wage is higher where you are, although I'm not sure if a $9-12/hr job helps much with a $60 cute normal hair clip from Amazon XD>{

[Aziara]

Those shipping fees are outrageous! Why so expensive, I wonder? I shipped something to China for under $15! I don't understand why US to Australia should be so much more expensive than US to China...

[Mermaid Kelda]

Well we do have a strong dollar at the moment, which makes up for it a little. And there are many places that offer free shipping (places like the Book Depository, Fishpond, etc) so clearly the avenues for cheap overseas shipping are there, but I guess a lot of people just can't be bothered finding cheap shipping options to Australia? Plus if you want to deal with insurance and stuff on top of that it starts to get ridiculous. I'm pretty sure Amazon's policy now is that you can't ship to Australia without postal tracking because too many people were complaining about lost items... Honestly if I'm paying $2 for a second-hand book I'd rather risk losing it and just buy another, than pay $30 for tracked posting!

[Mermaid Lilium]

We Americans complain about being taxed so much (but seriously, 20% for the working class ain't a lot) yet I hear lots of stories about the ridiculous costs of things overseas. I was reading here that the cost of Dragonskin Silicone in Australia is approx one arm, three toes, and your firstborn child lol jk...but almost not. I can't imagine many things *not* being imported to Australia. Also I hear Sydney is way more expensive to live in than New York City, and most normal people in the US can't afford to live there. But if I'm not mistaken the average wage is higher where you are, although I'm not sure if a $9-12/hr job helps much with a $60 cute normal hair clip from Amazon XD>{

VAT (sales tax) is 20% in the uk. *cries*

[Delphine]

was it this one? http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-clear-flow/31962/p

If so, 'tis the one I've ordered :D

YES! I believe it is, or something quite similar. Aw, wish I'd known about it before I bought my Finis Wave, but it's okay. I had to disguise my dandelion-yellow Wave, before putting it in my white semi-translucent fluke & it is now inside the Delphine tail forever, so for my next tail, maybe I'll do that clear Hydra. :)

[Mermaid Lilium]

YES! I believe it is, or something quite similar. Aw, wish I'd known about it before I bought my Finis Wave, but it's okay. I had to disguise my dandelion-yellow Wave, before putting it in my white semi-translucent fluke & it is now inside the Delphine tail forever, so for my next tail, maybe I'll do that clear Hydra. :)

Hopefully by then we'll have deduced the cheapest way of getting a hydra to north america and such ;D and yeah... the colour is the thing that put me off the finis monofins. I get that it makes them more visible in public pools to help with safety... but it's a pain for us XD

[Mizuko]

Random picture, I finished my Lady of the Lake dress and wore it to the fair :3
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(I'm the one on the right in light blue!)
Its the first dress I've ever made and took me two weeks- which probably took a lot of time out of working on this tail ><; SO NO MORE SEWING FOR A WHILE. haha! I'm going to concentrate on making this tail! XD
Oh and also,
I got a photo with a little barking owl named Doris. <3 She was so cute!
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OK, back to work! haha! XD

[MerEmma]

Mizuko, you're so pretty! I love the dress, too! What a cute owl. <3

[Mermaid Varshana]

You're ridiculously beautiful, Mizuko O.o You're like a living Record of the Lodoss War character.

[Ariel-Starfish]

so cool! and is that a Merida (from brave) spinn-off next to you? ;)

[Taniira]

Just FYI for the Hydras: I emailed the scubastore place about a month ago for a stock date on the clear one and they told me they had no definite stocking date on it. I bit the bullet and bought the pink one towards the end of April, received an orange Triton, and then returned it for the correct one, only by that point they had sold out of pink ones, too. They said 5 days on the restock of the pink one, but two weeks later they still didn't have it in so I just got a full refund and ordered a Finis Rapid on Amazon.

The shipping isn't too bad considering it's 2 days from Spain, but I do wish they had a cheaper option for shipping. I spent probably 10-12 hours trying to find another place to buy a Hydra from, but the US based stores sell them for nearly $200, so the $100 for fin + shipping was still a decent deal.

[Mizuko]

Its the dress from Brave- she cosplayed Merida for a convention and re-wore the dress for the fair :) Its really well made!

[Ashe]

You are so pretty! And that picture of you with the little owl is so adorable I can't stand it! :D

[Mizuko]

also also random (sorry about all the random posts!) but I'm holding a give-away on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/mizukomermaid (http://www.facebook.com/mizukomermaid)) to celebrate getting 300 Likes ^^
You can win this picture as a poster: (and the quality is alot better than this, I promise! I was horrified when I uploaded it to Facebook, half the colours just vanished X3)
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[Ariel-Starfish]

I wish I had my own mer FB page! but I don't want to re-open my personal account :/ bleh FB is doing weird.

[Aziara]

Just out of curiosity, how do you go about making another Facebook page for your mermaid self? I tried making a second page once, and I got an error message saying 'only one account per person'

[Sephina]

Just out of curiosity, how do you go about making another Facebook page for your mermaid self? I tried making a second page once, and I got an error message saying 'only one account per person'

Usually people just make a 'like' page.

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

Just out of curiosity, how do you go about making another Facebook page for your mermaid self? I tried making a second page once, and I got an error message saying 'only one account per person'
Use a different e-mail. I have three Facebook accounts. ;)

[Aziara]

Use a different e-mail. I have three Facebook accounts. ;)
*faceslap* duh.. Of course. I feel so dumb right now.

[Mermaid Lilium]

*faceslap* duh.. Of course. I feel so dumb right now.

do you already have a fanpage for something else? you should be able to make several on one fb account - usually you can find a link in the 'settings' button on someone else's fanpage where it says 'make my own page' or something similar

[Mizuko]

I have decided to create a funding page to try and get this project underway! :D
http://pozible.com/mizuko
(http://pozible.com/mizuko)
On this page it gives you an idea of how much this project is going to cost me :P Unfortunately with basic living expenses, I've discovered (the hard way) that making this tail will take me a long time to save up for. So I'm hoping as the first Australian mermaid to undertake a swimmable silicone tail there might be people interested! :D
I dont expect everyone to pledge, but if you spread this page around I would be truly grateful!! :D <3

[Ariel-Starfish]

I'll donate 5 next month when I have the chance ;) <3

[Mermaid Lilium]

I won't be able to donate until probably mid september when it will have already ended =/ if you're still trying to get to your target though, I shall paypal you my donation regardless of the deadline =) hopefully by then I'll be beginning to buy in materials for my own and I know how hard it is so if I can help even a little, I will =)

[Mizuko]

Thank you both of you <3 Even getting the word out is incredible, so thank you <3

[starlite]

great job !

[Mizuko]

OKAY. Sorry for the absentness on this project XD
After a few months of saving and selling alot of my lolita clothes, I finally have enough to order the silicone! I'm ordering more than I need, just to be safe. However... I went to order today, only to discover the Australian dollar has fallen and it'll cost wayyy more than I'd anticipated XP so I'm going to wait a few days to see how the dollar goes and if it doesn't change I'm going to suck it up and pay the extra $100 for the silicone! XD I'm getting extremely impatient watching everyone else create these beautiful tails! haha!
Also, regarding other materials needed, I've been lucky enough to find local businesses who stock Monster Makers clay and Shell Shock! And after moving to a new home, one of these businesses is literally two minutes down the road. Yay! haha! :D
My Pozible program is still running, but I am being realistic- I dont expect it to make its target. All the people who have donated so far have been extremely generous; I know how tough money is at the moment- so I'm not particuarly upset that it wont make its target. If I keep saving and selling my other hobbies hopefully I will finish this tail before October this year! :D

[Azurin Luna]

Woohoo! Good luck with your project... makes me want to start one too

[Mizuko]

GUESS WHAT ARRIVED TODAY? XD
the first half of my silicone shipment!! Woo!! You do NOT want to know how much its cost to purchase/ship it to Australia, though O__o
I got 4 gallons of Dragonskin 10 Medium- wayyy more than I will actually need, but I figured having too much was better than screwing up and having to wait another month to get more. I've also got some PowerMesh to line the tail with- this seemed to be something that not many people do, except tail makers, but after Firemaid said it was a good idea, I am going through with it :) I got it in white, which will make the scales less see-through when I paint them.
I am STILL working on my fluke mold. LOL! I'm at this hesitant point where, if I make a next move, I might hate it and have to redo it!! So I'm taking a long time on it- I want it to be perfect- thats why I haven't shown you all a picture of it yet! haha!
Lastly, I am saving some more cash as I need more clay (my whole fluke used an entire block of Monster Makers!!) to make the side fins and start on the scale sheet, as well as saving some money for fibreglass for the molds. :3 THIS IS STILL HAPPENING, I PROMISE XD haha!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!! :highfive:

[Mermaid Myu]

Lastly, I am saving some more cash as I need more clay (my whole fluke used an entire block of Monster Makers!!) to make the side fins and start on the scale sheet, as well as saving some money for fibreglass for the molds. :3 THIS IS STILL HAPPENING, I PROMISE XD haha!

You could save money by buying the fiberglass for the mold first, then, after casting the fluke, re-using the Monster Makers for the other fins. :D

[Delphine]

Whoohoo! Go Mizuko! Yes, this type of project does take quite some time. Ooo, Mermaid Myu, good call. I re-used my clay for my molds & definitely recommend it. That stuff is expensive & very re-usable. :) Sorry to hear your funding didn't hit, perhaps another site for funding may? Isn't the silicone HEAVY?! I wasn't expecting my box (A & B) to have as much weight as they did when they were full. You may want one of those contraptions for getting the lids open for when you are mixing & pouring, by the way. My super-awesome helper & I (we're both pretty strong) struggled to get them open. The first time was the hardest, & the cover gets progressively looser a little, but still. Phew! The doo-dad opener was nice when I had it a couple times to borrow. Lol, I wish I could remember what she called it.

[mermaidsoph]

good luck! its beautiful!!

[Mizuko]

Thanks everyone! :D
I'm actually on a time frame, so I cant reuse the clay! XD I would otherwise! I need to have the fluke, extra fins and scales done in a week or so before I can afford the fibreglass to mold them, and then I'm driving back to my home town to finish the tail! haha! So I had to buy more clay in the end. I dont mind, I'll be using it alot in the future too! :D My dad is lending me his shed/knowledge so I decided to have a mini holiday and go over to make the tail ^__^
I've also had some colour changes!! haha! I've decided to make the tail a much lighter pink, as although I like the hot pink, I personally am a more pastel kinda mermaid. :3 I'll upload my design change soon- I did it very badly on my work computers Paint. hahaha!

[Mizuko]

Ok, as promised! Pictures! XD
So, I changed the tail colours... its still pink though! haha! Just much MUCH lighter.
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(Sorry about the quality- I did it in Paint at work, haha!)
I decided lighter because although my first tail was hot pink, I'm personally a very pastel mermaid. I'd also like to put very very small touches of blue on it, so that it kinda relates to my Merbellas tail :)
Anyway, heres a peak at my fluke before I'd added more ridges and smoothed everything out:
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I've now got/purchased everything I need to make the tail! Yay! Just got to make fibreglass molds of the clay, then I'll be driving back to my home town on October the 16th to start making it! :3 Wee!

[spottedcatfish]

I can't wait to see the silicone tail making process!!

[Mermaid Oshun]

That is a nice fluke Mizuko

[Jessica]

Mizuko,

your fluke is just so perfect for you! I love the design....especially the swirled ridges! It's going to be a stunning tail :)

[jazz2453]

I love it! So cute and magical!xD

[Mizuko]

Thank you everyone! :D
I wanted my fluke to be 1. girly and 2. recognisable as MIZUKO. haha! Hence the swirly design :3

[Mizuko]

Ugh, so my trip home has been delayed by 2 weeks -__- I am really going to die of impatience waiting to finish this tail!!
Fluke and extra fins have been molded, still working on the scales, but I'm hoping to have them fibreglassed this weekend (if all goes to plan!)

Thanks everyone for being patient with my erratic posts >.<

[Mizuko]

Been testing out mold materials- I started with fibreglass, but unfortunately it still left in-dents in my clay as it was too hot for the clay to stay rigid. Here was a test mold I did (a basic Ariel bra):
15061

It can be saved- I can sand down the inside of the mold. But for my tail molds it would just destroy the details :P

So I sucked it up, and went and got some Shell Shock (at $70 a Trial Kit, and $200 a Gallon kit- yup, they really slug us hard here in Australia).

OHH man, I'd been warned multipule times to 1) mix well and 2) work fast, but you never really understand until you have to do it!! The Part B needed a thorough mixing as it had kinda separated. If my partner had not been there to help, I wouldn't have been able to do this myself. It was like dealing with hardened glue. He spent at least 20 minutes just mixing Part B until it was uniform! Then we measured, and mixed Part A with it. Again, I was glad he was there to help, because this stuff hardens faster than I'd expected. I think we only had about a minute (and this was the Slow Shell Shock) to cover the two fin molds before it was too gunky to use. Maybe we put too much Part A in it? Not sure, we both checked the measurements!

Anyways, after pouring the Shell Shock I did three layers of fibreglass over the top, just to make it sturdy.

Here's a photo of one of the fin molds after I'd cleaned it:

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I am REALLY happy with the details it caught. However, you may notice that this mold is silver... eh, yeah. That was the mold release I was told to use. Its a silicone layer that is meant to peel out. Well, its not peeling out- I've even scrubbed it in the sink with hot water and soap, and its not budging. So, I'm hoping (praying) it wont effect the Dragonskin onces its poured in. I will use another mold-release (a proper Smooth-On one, to be sure!) when doing this, so please cross your fingers and fins for me!
I've yet to do the fluke or the scale mold in Shell Shock, but I'll also be buying proper mold-release before I do these: it'd suck if my side fins dont work because of this silver silicone, but it would be a tragedy if my fluke and scale mold failed!!


Anyways, Its only two weekends now until I go home! I'm excited and nervous XD I just want to get these molds done, then I can relax for a few days before the even harder stuff starts!

[Jessica]

$200 a gallon?!!!! That's absurd! I swear you just need to have a tailmaking holiday and come visit me in the us.....it would probably be cheaper to buy a plane ticket than pay so much for silicone and shell shock!

Shell shock is awesome....but it does begin to harden almost immediately. It's worse depending on the temperature! The hotter it is the faster it thickens. You can extend the pot life by keeping the shell shock cool as long as possible.....try keeping in an air conditioned room for several hours, pre mix it inside and take it out at the last minute. You're lucky you had help! I had a horrendous time getting the liquid can open and that was after I had already measured the other part....

Your fin molds look great! If you use manns ease release..or any kind of release agent, just be sure to clean your molds thoroughly. If any release agent stays in the mold, it can get on your scales, fins etc. While this won't cause an issue with your silicone curing, it can prevent your silicone paint from sticking. I ran into this problem in a few areas of my tail, but my biggest issue was with the rubber monofin.

Good luck! I'm so excited for you!

[Mizuko]

Thank you Jessica! :)
Haha, yes, I worked out with how much I've spent I could've purchased a performance tail from Merbellas XD but I'm really determind to do this myself! I am still terrified of screwing up and all the hard work/money going to waste, though >.< lol! I'm going to grab Manns Ease release tomorrow when I pick up more Shell Shock :) then I can hopefully complete the molds this weekend!! :D

[Mizuko]

How much Shell Shock did your fluke and scale mold use, Jessica? :) my fluke is quite big so I'm worried the gallon order mightn't be enough! Eep!

[Jessica]

My fluke is about 26" x 23" I used just one gallon order of shell shock and layered fiberglass cloth(not matting...the matting isn't as strong) for my fluke mold. How much you use will really depend on how high your fluke sculpture is. You have to build the shell shock until its 3/8" high in order to have a strong mold. My fluke has high ridges so it took about the whole gallon to cover the ridges and make the mold strong enough. If I remember correctly, your ridges weren't as prominent as mine. I think you should be fine with one gallon if you layer fiberglass cloth in the mold. Just brush on a layer or two...make sure you cover every bit of clay...and then lay the cloth in the mold. I cut my cloth into strips so I could get between the ridges and it worked well. If you layer a good bit of fiberglass cloth in your mold I don't think it would be absolutely necessary to build it up to 3/8" but I would try to get close to that. Keep in mind that the 3/8" should be above the highest point of your fluke sculpture.

If you run out of shell shock, you can do what jazz did and back it up with some sort of fiberglass resin. You should check with her...I'm not 100% sure what she used but I think boating supply stores carry it.

One more thing....make sure you pour/brush layers across the entire fluke mold and don't focus on just one area. Smooth on told me that its very important to get a good base coat down across the whole mold or you could wind up with a crack or seam if you poured one half, waited and then poured the other. I used a paintbrush to brush the shell shock up over the ridges because it tried to settle down in between them for my base coat.

I know you've spent a lot of money, but you tail is going to be amazing! It's so incredibly rewarding to make your own...I'm really glad that I did. Also, didn't you order 4 gallons of silicone? My tail would have only used one gallon if I hadn't run into problems. You look about my size so you should be able to make 3 tails + maybe a neoprene lined one or a couple tops! It really depends on how much silicone your fluke uses.

I'm so excited for you!!!

[Mizuko]

Thank you! My fluke mold is quite big... its made to fit a competitor monofin so its around 28"x28", I do have some of the Trial Kit of Shell Shock left, so maybe I can mix that together with the gallon order and it will cover it nicely. It has occurred to me that I will now need 2 gallon orders of the Shell Shock, though!! Because I also need it for my scale mold! Boo! Ah well, I dont really have any other choice. (time to sell a kidney! haha!) I'll still be covering them with fibreglass/resin too, just to guarantee they cant be damaged easily :)

You've actually answered two of my questions! hehe! THANK YOU! I wasn't sure if I could pour one side then pour the other, but you've answered that for me :3 I'll have to recruit my partner again for the extra set of hands!

Yes, I got 4 gallons of silicone! LOL! I figured I'd use up about 2, with my big fluke and scale mold, and then a little of the 3rd for extra fins- with a whole gallon left over! That way I've got room for mistakes! lol! And if I dont make a mistake, I might be able to make another tail! :D (I've already decided on an Ariel tail! lol! Its very clique, but I love her and I know I'll get a few gigs as her :3 )

Thank you so much! I'm excited and nervous and impatient all at once! lol! Its only two weekends to go! I hope I can make a pretty tail to be proud of :)

[MerEmma]

I just wanna say Mizuko that you have such a great, bubbly personality, I can just tell omg. I love just how your excitement translates online. xD

[Mizuko]

haha, thank you Emma! XD I'm kinda hyperactive in real life, it can get quite tiresome for people around me (but not me... haha!)

[Ariel-Starfish]

I can't wait how your it will look when your tail comes to life!! <3

[Delphine]

Wow, go Mizuko! About the silvery mold--My suggestion is to do a test. Or few. Even poring a tiny amount of A & B to see how it goes. For the Delphine Tail I did many tests, and 2 of them were for the scales (by the time I got to the mega-sized fluke, I knew what to expect, haha). Some things, such as this type of casting, you have to DO it, to get a feel for it. Anyway, best of luck. I'm happy you are working & sharing photos! Keep on swimming, ladyfish!

[Mizuko]

Thank you Ariel! :D
I'm thinking tests will be the best way to tackle this too, Delphine. I unfortunately couldnt get any Manns release- the ONE place in Australia that stocks it was out of stock, and I myself couldn't order it from overseas as its a restricted item and cannot be flown in a plane -___- worst luck! I had a mini-freak out about that. haha. However, using just shell shock on the fluke and scale molds I wont need mold release- so that wasn't a problem- but the little silver fins would be. After researching, apparently a thin layer of vaseline can work quite well with dragonskin too. So I'm going to test that out and hope for the best! Otherwise I might just scrap the extra fins until I can afford more Shell Shock- or get the mold release shipped over to Australia. XD Its been one big panic-fest! haha! Thanks so much for your suggestions, Delphine <3 I really appreciate any info!!

I didn't get to set my fluke in Shell Shock over the weekend as it decided it was going to be wet and humid. >< I'm hoping it will clear in the next day or so!!

[Jessica]

Are you using foam or clay for your scale sheet? If you use foam circles, don't bother with manns ease release! I didn't use enough and my mold was a disaster....I would just use Vaseline. The ease release won't stop the shell shock from getting in between the circles, but the Vaseline should.

I just used a light layer of ease release on my fluke sculpture and it turned out great. Honestly though I'm not sure it's even necessary. I would do a small test before pouring your fluke just in case.

So you don't waste much silicone...you could try mixing up a teaspoon of a and a teaspoon of b and brushing a thin layer in your side fin mold. If it cures, you can always place it back in the mold and then pour more silicone to finish the fin. If it doesn't, then you're only using 2tsp of silicone.

I'm so excited to see your tail! I still can't believe how expensive everything is for you...I just ordered shell shock this morning for $64/gallon....I can't imagine having to pay $200. When I talked to smooth on today I was asking about materials to back up a shell shock mold. He recommended fiberglass(you pour it on before the shell shock hardens completely). It really isn't cost effective for me, but you might want to look into it since shell shock is so expensive for you. It would really depend on how much fiberglass costs over there...it would be nice if you could get away with one gallon of shell shock if fiberglass is cheaper.

good luck!

[Mizuko]

Thanks Jessica! :D
My scale mold is also clay- I've been cookie cutting the shapes out XD haha! I wanted shell-shaped scales, so I thought that was the easiest way to do it other than trying to cut out all the shapes in foam (which I tried but the foam was just a TINY bit too thick! haha!).
I've been using fibreglass over the Shell Shock- I'd initially thought I could do entire fibreglass molds, as it really is SO much cheeper than anything else! But it failed, so I have to use Shell Shock and layer it with the fibreglass/resin for extra strength :)
I poured my fluke yesterday! The Shell Shock has stuck firmly to the card board box, but with some hot water the card board will melt off :3

[Delphine]

Hi, Jessica. Did you make your own tail, too? With Dragon Skin? I've been discussing Dragon Skin with other mers interested in tail-making, as it's the one I used for my own Delphine tail project. Do you have some cool shots of yours? Process shots?

You're welcome! Ooo, shell-shaped scales!? Got a photo? I'm picturing yours like.. the outside of scallops. I'm thinking a more unusually-shaped scales for Tail II, too!

Also, congrats on pouring. So exciting! Keep your vision of your tail in your head, it helps keep you into it on those frustrating days (like no Mold Release at the stores!). I think I used Ease Release 200, with the black-yellow label, though I've heard one can use vaseline as a cheaper alternative. I suggest using some kind of release (vaseline or spray or something) even if you don't "think" it's needed. It makes your life easier. Good luck, Mizuko.

[Jessica]

Hi Delphine,
I made my tail out of dragonskin and you can check out some pictures here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5697-Jessica-s-dragonskin-tail/page10

your thread was really helpful to me and your tail is just gorgeous! I was wondering though....I'm using a wave monofin for my latest tail....did you adhere the silicone to the monofin by drilling holes in the monofin, gluing lace...etc? I know some people have done these things before and I was wondering if its worth the trouble. Does your fluke wrinkle or fill with water at all?

Mizuko,
We need pictures!! I can't wait to see this scale sheet and fluke mold! I used posterboard instead of cardboard for my molds and its a lot easier to peel off the mold. I put my quilting cutting mat under the posterboard when I carry it around so the clay doesn't bend...or you could just put some cardboard under. Anyway..it made things a little easier for me so I thought I'd share.:)

[Mizuko]

Still working on the scale sheet- annoyingly I'm having trouble cutting the shapes out (ugh!). I was using a cookie-cutter method but the clay has to be the right consistancy and the cutter I'm using is actually a paper stamp I pulled apart so its not ideal XD I'm going to go for a little search tonight after work to see if I can find a better shell-shaped cutter! Otherwise it will probably take me a few days to finish it- which is ok, as I've got all weekend :)

My fluke mold turned out perfectly!! I'm so relieved! :D
Here's some pictures of the process:
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Fibre glassing the fluke mold. It was a nice sunny day :) I only did one layer of fibreglass and resin, though, as I ran out after that! The mold is sturdy, but I will still be extra careful with it as it could still snap if not looked after.
15206
And after I'd scraped most of the clay out!
The Shell Shock captured all the details perfectly :) I still need to get rid of the clay in the ridges, but to do that I think I'll have to take it in the shower with me!! LOL! Hot running water usually gets the last of it out, but the mold is too big to fit in a sink! haha!

[MerEmma]

The images don't work D:

[Mizuko]

argh, let me see if I can fix it- its not letting me edit the post :P *shakes fist at computer*

[Mizuko]

Let me know if you can see them now XD

[MerEmma]

Yep! :D

[Mizuko]

Thank you! :D

[Jessica]

It looks great!! I'm so happy this turned out so well for you! You can dip a toothbrush in hot water to scrub the clay out...kids toothbrushes work well because they're tiny. It might be easier than taking a shower with your mold :)

[Mizuko]

I used a toothbrush and hot water, but I think the gaps are just too tiny XD I wish I had a hose or something outside that was hot!

[Jessica]

I also used q tips...both dry and dipped in hot water on my last mold and they worked well. I actually never got all of the clay out of my last mold.....there's still little bits in between the tiny lines. As long as the clay is sulfur free it won't stop the silicone from curing

You might be able to use a blow dryer to melt the clay...depends on the type of clay..but you have to be careful not to overheat the mold. Someone on here messed up a mold by applying too much heat...I can't remember who it was though...

good luck! It's so much fun to have someone to talk to about molds and silicone! There's only so much my family can stand to listen to :)

[Mizuko]

Ah, Q-tips! Thats a great idea! :D Thank you!
I've used Monster Makers clay- so it melts nicely :3 I really enjoyed scraping it out of the mold- it was like scooping up icecream!! haha!
I know exactly how you feel- my family are like ENOUGH WITH THE TAIL, OK?! because I just go on and on about it... LOL!! And they are patient, so you can tell how much I must talk about it!! hehe! I really appreciate all the advice you've been giving me! :D It really does make this experience so much more fun to have others who are interested and have been/going through it themselves :D

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I found using the back of different sized paintbrushes was the best way to get clay out of my fluke ridges. They're not sharp enough to scratch the mold, but they're small enough to fit the tiny lines. :3

[Mizuko]

Thank you Lorelei! :D
Today I am getting more Shell Shock- I managed to sell an expensive dress, so its paying for it! haha! I hope to finish the scale mold this weekend, then pour the Shell Shock either Monday or Tuesday night! :)

[Jessica]

Lorelei the paintbrushes work great!

Mizuko, did you use any release agent on your fluke? I was just wondering if it was necessary with monster makers clay. I used just a little bit on my fluke just in case.

[Mizuko]

I didn't use any release agent on my fluke :) It might've helped where the Shell Shock stuck to the cardboard, though! haha! The clay itself I just left in the sun to warm up, and scaped/brushed out. It didn't stick at all :)

[Trident True]

for my molds i use plaster of paris as you need a fair bit to do your flipper as you know. my filpper took 5kg of plaster but at 12.50 who can knock that back. I feel that plaster also allows you to extract the piece easier. when i extraced my flpper from the mold it came out very smoothly nothing stuck to the paris. I like how this is turing out it looks great. one of a kind :)

PS. it helps a great deal if you cover your cardboard template in clear contact adhesive, it works great and this way nothing can stick to it. Ive done it. ;)

[Mizuko]

Well, it took me all weekend (as I thought) but I finally finished my scale sheet! :D
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It took pretty long as I had to melt the clay in batches, pour it into an even level, then wait until it was slightly dry before cutting it and carefully peeling it out of the cutter.
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I'm considering stamping some cute things into some of the scales- like heart shapes or something- to make it more 'me' lol!

I haven't been able to pour the Shell Shock on it yet! Planning to do it tonight or Tuesday night :)

[Jessica]

Mizuko,

this is just so YOU!! It's perfect for you...absolutely perfect! Did you use a cookie cutter? It looks so pretty! I'm planning on making a new scale sheet for my next tail and I won't be using foam again! I was thinking that it would be hard to get the scales uniform and level with clay, but you did an amazing job!

[Mizuko]

Thanks Jessica! :D
Yes, I used a cookie cutter. It took FOREVER. haha! But, I'm really happy with the results :) There are a few scales which are chunkier than the rest, and a few clumps I need to clean up, but I dont mind :) I made sure to make the sheet at least an inch (and more in other places) bigger than my actual measurements to guarantee I'd have enough scales to trim/stick if I make a mistake! hehe!

[jazz2453]

LOVE that shape! This is really going to turn out well!

[AniaR]

I gotta be honest, you all make me want to make a mermaid tail. But I suck with my fine motor skills! But still I think once in my life I might have to try just for the experience.

[Seatan]

Wow, I adore the shape of your scales. I have so much respect for your patience--I would be going nuts wanting it finished. It's going to look fantastic! And I think stamping little hearts in it would be adorable, a very cute little touch!

[Mizuko]

Thank you everyone! :D
Raina, I suck at most crafty things except painting/drawing, so this has been a challenge XD haha! I hope it will turn out nice though!
I'm pretty impatient all things considered. Waiting to get the money to do this, then the supplies- I was tearing out my hair with impatience wanting to start! haha! I'm just grateful I can actually give this a go. :)

[Mizuko]

Just a question, I've been curious as to how I'm going to hide the black monofin without layering my fluke with piles of paint- do you think painting my monofin before sealing it in the fluke will work? Its a competitor, so I'm thinking the paint wont stick well. lol! I thought about painting it white so that it was a clean canvas and wouldn't be so obvious. Any thoughts?

[Jessica]

I'm using a wave and have the same issue! I decided to tint my silicone white to reduce the layers of paint I will need to cover the black and yellow. There really isn't a great option, but tinting the silicone will help a lot.

[Mizuko]

Thanks Jessica! I was going to tint my silicone pale white/pink to start, so there would be less layering of pink on top, and I figured with the white Power Mesh on the inside it would also help hide my legs from showing through were any paint is thin. But the competitor monofin is so black! It will take so many layers to cover it! Hrm. I'm going to have to investigate. XD

[Elle]

would it be worth painting the monofin before you lay down the silicone? or something along those lines?

[Trident True]

what about spray painting the monofin in similar colours to what you will be painting your tail. that way it will blend in. white could possibly work.

[Jessica]

If you do decide to paint your monofin, just be sure to do a test with silicone first. Silicone can be picky stuff and you don't want to put anything on your monofin that might inhibit the cure of the silicone.

Another option....you could buy a bit of white neoprene and use it just inside your fluke.

I'm considering painting a dark layer of green on the back side of the scales that will be covering the black footpockets. You could tint your silicone, and paint a dark layer of pink on the back of the fluke/scales that will be covering the monofin. Since you're painting on the back of white/pink tinted silicone, it won't make the front of the silicone look dark pink.....It would probably just look a little more pink....but i wouldnt imagine it would change the color a whole lot. Just an idea :) i'll give it a try and let you know how it turns out!

[Elle]

If you do decide to paint your monofin, just be sure to do a test with silicone first. Silicone can be picky stuff and you don't want to put anything on your monofin that might inhibit the cure of the silicone.

Another option....you could buy a bit of white neoprene and use it just inside your fluke.

I was going to suggest that too, I just didn't know if it was a feasible option. or if neoprene is to thick, some white Lycra or spandex

[Mizuko]

I was considering sticking the power mesh to the monofin- as its white, and it will also help the silicone adhere to the fin! BUT... I dont know how much flexibility it will take from the monofin itself. I really like the way the competitor moves- its got enough bend to look realistic but its firm enough to give good propulsion. I'm worried glueing something onto it will make it stiffer.
I like you're suggestion, Jessica! Painting the inside of the fluke first. I was always going to tint the silicone, but I feel like it wont be enough to cover the black fin, so painting a layer underneath before sealing might be the way to go!

I poured the scale sheet the other night, and we had some issues!! lol!
The Shell Shock thickened too fast again and we didn't get to cover the entire sheet. I've re-inforced the entire mold with fibreglass and resin in 3 layers, so there wont be any cracking, but I'm pretty sure it didn't cover enough to make an entire scale sheet. I may have to do it in parts- but we will see once I pull the mold off tomorrow night (I've got freediving training tonight, otherwise I'd be doing it now!). I did make the scale sheet a lot bigger than my actual size, so maybe theres still enough to do one whole sheet. :3 I'm not too fussed- I know it can be done in parts, it will just take longer!

[Jessica]

Hi Mizuko,

something to think about.....if you glued the powermesh to the monofin, the silicone might not be able to adhere to the powermesh. Silicone adheres to fabric basically by getting in and around the fibers. Silicone doesn't actually stick to fabric...it surrounds the fibers and sticks to itself. So if you used glue to adhere the powermesh to the monofin, I would imagine that the glue might fill in around the fibers...and then there might not be any room for silicone to get in. I might be wrong, so it would be best to do a test patch first!

I think you should be ok with just tinting the silicone and maybe painting the back. Just tinting the silicone white worked really well for me. It's going to take you a few layers to get the color/blending you want anyway since you're using pearl ex.

I'm sorry you had trouble with your mold! Shell shock is tough to work with! Don't worry too much though...half of my mold has too much foam stuck in it to be used and I pieced together my last tail (and I'm piecing this one too). I have a few tricks I've learned so I might be able to help you if you need it.

good luck!

[Mizuko]

Sorry for the absence, everyone. You may or may not know the local South Australian mermaid community lost an amazing person on Saturday. I've been in shock for a few days- Tiffany (Mermaid Araylia) was a wonderful friend to me and Mermaid Miel. We last saw her at her birthday only a few weeks ago. Tiffany was the sweetest person, she was caring and generous. Things wont be the same without her in our pod- or in our lives. I hope I can update soon with more tail making. Thanks for your understanding <3

[Delphine]

Hi Delphine,
I made my tail out of dragonskin and you can check out some pictures here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5697-Jessica-s-dragonskin-tail/page10

your thread was really helpful to me and your tail is just gorgeous! I was wondering though....I'm using a wave monofin for my latest tail....did you adhere the silicone to the monofin by drilling holes in the monofin, gluing lace...etc? I know some people have done these things before and I was wondering if its worth the trouble. Does your fluke wrinkle or fill with water at all?

Mizuko,
We need pictures!! I can't wait to see this scale sheet and fluke mold! I used posterboard instead of cardboard for my molds and its a lot easier to peel off the mold. I put my quilting cutting mat under the posterboard when I carry it around so the clay doesn't bend...or you could just put some cardboard under. Anyway..it made things a little easier for me so I thought I'd share.:)

Hi Jessica,
Wow! So colourful! Did you cast your tail, then paint the silicone? I mixed the white & pearl pigments directly into the tail, & only painted the glow-pigments-silcione-mix as a surface treatment. Aw, that's so sweet. Thank you, sometimes looking back I feel like my tail is only the plainer side (even though it's iridescent & glows), but it was a huge endeavor & I succeeded. It is, also, a first attempt after all. Only now, am I realizing many actually paint their tails after casting as is, so have translucent tails to work with. While I would have loved doing that, I'm not yet sure of the process. Silicone is a tricky medium to paint, so I'm wondering if it's thinned with a special rubber thinner, pigmented & airbrushed? I talked to FireMaid about the lace, which she used. I did tests & all the fabric solutions for the fluke failed. I ended up sanding the crud out of my dandelion-yellow Wave, left the original shape intact (considered mod-ing it for a time) and primed it white. I used special (but stinky.. like.. salt & vinegar chips, so gross haha but my helper loved the smell XD) silicone glue & Dragon Skin to adhere the fluke halves together at the seams & trimmed off the excess after it was cured.

The Delphine Tail totally wrinkles at the ankles most often. Sometimes I can fight with it, & win.. others, I let it wrinkle because it's exhausting doing battle with such a strong, stretchy material! XD And yes, it definitely fills with water. My main tech-friend-helper & I designed 3 drainage holes that go from the inside of the bodice section, down the monofin to the edges of the fluke & out. This helps get rid of drag & usually is easier to dump water when I take my tail off, however sometimes they don't open much & then I have a 30 lbs. tail waterlogged tail to deal with. Haha--wrinkles, waterlogging, mono fin bruises & scale marked-legs, oh mermaid problems! XD The downsides are worth the enjoyment of mermaiding, however.

Yes, more photos Mizuko! ^__^- Oh, whoa! Did not see this post a second ago! I'm so sorry you lost your friend, hun. My sympathies.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Well, it took me all weekend (as I thought) but I finally finished my scale sheet! :D
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It took pretty long as I had to melt the clay in batches, pour it into an even level, then wait until it was slightly dry before cutting it and carefully peeling it out of the cutter.
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I'm considering stamping some cute things into some of the scales- like heart shapes or something- to make it more 'me' lol!

I haven't been able to pour the Shell Shock on it yet! Planning to do it tonight or Tuesday night :)

OMG this is really something for you! :D haha to cute!

[Delphine]

Just a question, I've been curious as to how I'm going to hide the black monofin without layering my fluke with piles of paint- do you think painting my monofin before sealing it in the fluke will work? Its a competitor, so I'm thinking the paint wont stick well. lol! I thought about painting it white so that it was a clean canvas and wouldn't be so obvious. Any thoughts?

Mizuko & Jessica,

For my Delphine Tail I encountered this problem. My solution, perhaps not the best but it worked was to sand the crap out of the Wave & spray white primer in layers until it was white & even. Why? The silicone could be peeled EASILY off my Wave once it cured (and it DID cure, though I only did a droplet on a couple spots). I wanted to be sure my fluke halves (both halves were very white-tinted & mixed in with the iridescent powder) would be cured over the monofin. So it was a pain, but it worked. Maybe you can do that, or have a better way. As always, I'm an advocate for tests! =P

[SIF]

That's a GENIOUS way of doing a body cast! How many rolls of tape did you go through?



"As for steps, I have made a leg cast using glad wrap and duct-tape, and finally fibre glass to give it strength. I did this while I was home over Christmas; my Dad makes surfboards in his free time so he has a huge shed and lots of fibre glass to spare! I know it has been said that you dont nessesarily need a leg cast to make a full silicone tail, however I'm taking no chances with sizing! We quite literaly took the duct-tape dummy in about an inch before fibre-glassing it (which only added an extra 1-2cm to the width) so I'm sure to have a tight fitting tail."

[Mizuko]

Hi everyone, sorry for the long absence.
So, everything was going swimmingly... until my scale mold failed.
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With the death of Tiffany, followed by this: I was pretty much an emotional wreck for two days. I put so much of myself into this project, I felt like a total failure (and that one mold was about $250, which I dont have the money to replace right away). I'm feeling better now- its just a set back- but its still a kick in the teeth.
Not sure why the scale mold failed. Its like the Shell Shock didn't sink into the scales properly- so no details were captured unless it was on the thicker scales. This confused the hell out of me- we poured it just like the other molds, and considering it captured every detail down to my fingerprints on the other molds, I cant explain what happened.
I'm having to redo the scale mold (it took me two whole days last time... ugh) and I'm considering using UltraCal 30, does anyone have any experience with this? I'm only considering it because its so much cheeper than Shell Shock >.<

Anyway, besides all this, my fluke and extra fins all turned out nicely:
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Although I'm struggling painting them. lol! The silicone seems so thick, it gets all globby on the surface no matter how I try and spread it out :P I've got some silicone thinner, but its not much and I didn't want to use it all up!

[Shaylee Moon]

I really do love everything about your tail though and that fluke is gorgeous! Being a pastel type mermaid myself I would love my tail to look as girly and cutesy as yours! So don't give up because I know in the end its going to be great!

[jazz2453]

I have used Ultracal for my scale molds for my silicone tails. It's very heavy when cured, it's annoying, but it's also very cheap and works. I'm so sorry that the scales didn't work out. The fluke is very beautiful though. When using ultracal, the first layer should be of nacho cheese (kinda thin) consistency and you should brush it on to capture the details. Then you can add a thicker layer. After that do 2-3 layers with burlap and then a final layer to smooth it out. It'll be a big mess!

[MerEmma]

WOW! So pretty. <3

[Jessica]

Hi Mizuko,

I'm really sorry to hear you've had such a rough week. I know how setbacks with your tail can make you feel like a failure...I felt the same way when I ran into all my issues with my first tail. I was a stressed out wreck over my tail and I can only imagine how much worse it is for you after losing a close friend.

I wish I wasn't on the other side of the world so I could give you a hand with your tail :) I might be able to help you problem solve though....I have a few theories...

"Not sure why the scale mold failed. Its like the Shell Shock didn't sink into the scales properly- so no details were captured unless it was on the thicker scales. This confused the hell out of me- we poured it just like the other molds, and considering it captured every detail down to my fingerprints on the other molds, I cant explain what happened."

a few questions:
did you just pour the shell shock or did you brush the first layer? If you mixed the entire bucket at once, something like this can happen if the shell shock becomes too thick and hardens before seeping in the cracks. This would explain why it captured the thicker scales and not the thinner since the thinner ones would be lower....

did the shell shock cure properly? Is the mold brittle or does it bend? If the ratio is off even a bit you can have problems. I had an issue with one of my test molds when I eyeballed the measurements.

How old is the shell shock? Shell shock has a very limited shelf life....and considering the high price over there it might be possible you got some old material if they don't sell a whole lot of it.

What temperature were you working at? If it was hot then it also might explain the issue because the shell shock would thicken/cure faster.

i think we can get to the bottom of this! Shell shock is picky stuff, but your other molds turned out great so this is surprising that you had trouble...it might just be that you got a bad/old batch considering you know how to use the stuff successfully.

as for your silicone.....it shouldn't be thick and globby. What temp are you storing it at? Silicone is really runny stuff normally, but temp can impact the thickness a bit. Also.....you might want to try getting a really big mixing spoon (actually 2 so there's no cross contamination) and mixing the silicone buckets really well. Silicone should be runny enough to pour off a plate easily.....like Jazz's nacho cheese she mentioned above. :)

Ultracal sounds messy! What if you just got a quart size of shell shock and brushed a super thin layer and then used fiberglass? Your scale mold isn't that big so I would think a quart would get you a good thin layer without breaking the bank.

Your fluke is just so pretty....and all those extra fins! You're going to look like a beautiful pink mermaid angel :)

[Mizuko]

Thank you everyone!
Jessica, we poured the Shell Shock all in one go, but brushed it over the mold a bit before it hardened, so I thought maybe that would help. Perhaps it would've been better if I'd done it in layers like you've suggested! >.< The mold is super sturdy, so I think the ratio was correct. But as for the shelf life... I'm not honestly sure; you could be right, it might've been old stock. The temperature was cool, maybe 23-25 degrees celcus, which I think is within the range of the Shell Shock (but its Australia, it could've been 30 and I would still think its cool, haha!).
I'm going to start using the silicone inside, I think. I've been pouring it out the back on the veranda, which is in shade, but perhaps its still too warm? I didn't want to pour it inside because 1. we are renting, and 2. I'm very very good at making a mess. HAHA! I already spilt clay on the floor! XD But I'll try stirring the pots individually first, too, just incase.
Thank you for all the info, Jessica!! I really appreciate it!
I'm scared of using Shell Shock again and it failing, as money is tight at the moment and every cent counts. But I was really happy with how it turned out on my fluke and extra fin molds. I might have to sell something again, haha!

[Oceana]

I'm sorry to hear about the setbacks :(

I will say that I think your tail's progress looks absolutely amazing! I love the design of your scales and fluke! It's so cute, and almost fairy like! I can't wait to see it when it's finished!

[Mizuko]

Sorry for the absentness, everyone :)
Mermaid Miel, Mermaid Abbey and myself attended Mermaid Araylia's (Tiffany's) funeral yesterday. It was a truly beautiful and heart breaking ceremony. Its going to be tough not having her smile around anymore.

As for tail making, I've been distracted with sewing a costume for a convention this weekend! lol! (anyone seen The Last Unicorn? I'm going as Lady Amalthea!) So I've not finished re-making my scale mold. I did, however, buy a very cheep air brush kit, so I can paint the tail easier. :) I hope to have some good updates regarding the fluke being painted soon!

[Mermaid Lilium]

*sends love, hugs and cupcakes* I'm so sorry about your friend Mizuko =( If you ever need someone to talk to about stuff, I'm here <3

you should post photos of your costume ^_^ Sounds cute!

and mind if I ask which air brush kit you got?

btw a gallon order of dragonskin here in the UK is £250... sooooo like $375-400 (USD) (that's without shipping and 20% tax btw) can't remember how much shell shock is lol

[Mizuko]

I'm back! haha!
Lilium, the airbrush kit I got was only $60AU, which is reallyyyy cheep, and its TINY! But it works! Because I'm only doing small areas and lots of layers it doesn't matter :)
The convention was on this weekend! So now all my time can be put back into my tail making. It was the first cosplay I've made with no help! :) So I'm kinda proud. Here are some pictures (off-topic, I know! lol!)
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Lol, ok, thats enough photos. lol!

[Mizuko]

WOAH, they are bigger than I thought- sorry about that! >.<

[Jessica]

Beautiful pictures Mizuko! The dress is just lovely and you did a really great job! It looks like satin.....that is a very slippery and difficult fabric to work with!

[Darcythemermaid]

Oh you went to Super Nova I really wanted to go!!!!!! But work got in the way and I need money if i'm going to ever finish my tail! Oh and your dress is awesome!!!!

[Delphine]

Wow, your Lady Amalthea costume turned out awesome! That's such a great little animation..

[PearlieMae]

Everything is so beautiful! You, your dress, absolutely lovely! And I think you have the biggest eyes I have ever seen!

[Mizuko]

I'm back! XD thank you everyone for your lovely words <3
I had my wisdom teeth out last week -__- I couldn't eat properly for 4 days (except icecream... which really, I shouldn't complain about, haha!) and it also set me back a week re-making my scale sheet as I didn't stay at home. So I am just over half finished re-laying the clay scales again; I hope to finish laying them one night this week! Then I'll do some tests with UltraCal, as its really really cheep here. I'm aiming to have the sheet finished by next weekend, and maybe even have the first scale sheet poured in! But I work full-time so I can only do things in the evening >.< Its my birthday on the 15th of December, and I'm having a beach day at the reef to celebrate, so I'd really really love to have a new tail to try then! haha! But its a very short time-frame, so it means I'll have to work really hard!

[MermaidStormy]

I'm back! XD thank you everyone for your lovely words <3
I had my wisdom teeth out last week -__- I couldn't eat properly for 4 days (except icecream... which really, I shouldn't complain about, haha!) and it also set me back a week re-making my scale sheet as I didn't stay at home. So I am just over half finished re-laying the clay scales again; I hope to finish laying them one night this week! Then I'll do some tests with UltraCal, as its really really cheep here. I'm aiming to have the sheet finished by next weekend, and maybe even have the first scale sheet poured in! But I work full-time so I can only do things in the evening >.< Its my birthday on the 15th of December, and I'm having a beach day at the reef to celebrate, so I'd really really love to have a new tail to try then! haha! But its a very short time-frame, so it means I'll have to work really hard!

I know you're tail will turn out amazing Mizuko You can do it !!! :D

[Mizuko]

Thank you Stormy! :3 <3

[Mizuko]

andddd another set-back. lol.
I was super uncoordinated and hurt my elbow pretty bad on Friday. I had to go to hospital for x-rays and things, but luckily there was no bone damage. I did, however, damage the nerve in my arm pretty bad and I couldn't feel my hand for a day! lol! The nurse told me I couldn't move my elbow freely for at least 3 days... which was my whole weekend I had dedicated to finishing the molds and starting the silicone scale sheet. sigh.
So, I doubt I'll have the tail done by my birthday now, as its monday and my birthday is this coming sunday. I do hope to have it constructed, just not finished painting! I work full time so I'll only have the evenings to do things, so I plan on having some late nights! lol!

[Mermaid Lilium]

andddd another set-back. lol.
I was super uncoordinated and hurt my elbow pretty bad on Friday. I had to go to hospital for x-rays and things, but luckily there was no bone damage. I did, however, damage the nerve in my arm pretty bad and I couldn't feel my hand for a day! lol! The nurse told me I couldn't move my elbow freely for at least 3 days... which was my whole weekend I had dedicated to finishing the molds and starting the silicone scale sheet. sigh.
So, I doubt I'll have the tail done by my birthday now, as its monday and my birthday is this coming sunday. I do hope to have it constructed, just not finished painting! I work full time so I'll only have the evenings to do things, so I plan on having some late nights! lol!

eeeps be carefuls mizuko! And make sure you're healed up, the nerve in your arm healing is more important than getting your tail done sooner *stern look*

But I know you'll get it done and it will look fantastic so don't be disheartened =) Don't let stuff like this hold you back or get to you! <3

[Mizuko]

Summer has hit with a vengeance! It was 39 degrees C (102.2 Fahrenheit) yesterday, and today is 43 degrees C (109.4 Fahrenheit). Welcome to Australian summers! haha!

I *think* I hope I pray that this scale mold has worked!
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I finished cleaning most of the clay out last night. There are still bits wedged between the layers of Ultracal that will need chipping off, but for the most part its looking Ok! Not perfect, but usable! XD
Using the UltraCal was actually pretty enjoyable... I mixed it in small batches (like 500-900 grams) and just slowly painted on the first layer. That took about two hours as I was constantly cleaning my mixing stuff/paint brush. Then I went over once more over the bits of clay that decided to escape the first layer. Then I did two layers of burlap soaked in UltraCal- which was way more fun than it should have been. Out of all 3 materials I've used for mold-making (fibreglass, shell shock and UltraCal) I've found I enjoy Ultracal the most. I can take my time- there are no fumes (although always wear a mask and gloves and googles when dealing with it as a powder- it really is dangerous to inhale!) its easy to layer and easy to clean. The ONLY downside is that it is heavy. Very heavy. Which means if the scale sheet is lifted wrong (flat, not on its side!) there is a chance that it could break in the very centre. But, to be honest, after my failed attempts I'm just happy to have a scale sheet that APPEARS to look like the original clay mold!! haha!

As a sorry for taking so long to post this, heres a goofy photo from my birthday on Sunday:
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I'm officially 25. Quarter of a century old! lol! (But I seriously dont feel/act it, haha! Dont think I ever will :P )
My elbow is all healed up- it took about 3 days for the swelling to go down and the pain to stop, but I got the feeling back in my hand after only a day :) It was nice to be able to dress myself and put my own hair up again! haha! (My partner had to put my hair up in ponytails for me... lol! He really didnt know what he was doing, haha!)

I'm flying home on the 21st for two weeks! Which means I need to get my tail making stuff there so I can finish it... I hope to have the scale mold completely clean tonight and MAYBE if its not too hot (who am I kidding, its 43...) I would like to pour some silicone. lol!

[Mermaid Adriel]

you're so lucky! here it's going to be winter in two days :O_o:

[Jessica]

Mizuko your mold looks great! I'm so happy the Ultracal worked well for you! Happy birthday! ;)

[Mizuko]

Thank you both! ^_^ I am really relieved it looks SOMEWHAT like the clay mold, haha! After so many set backs and the weeks vanishing away, it really feels like a victory that the mold even worked out. haha!

[Mermaid Riia]

You are supercute in that pic! :) pleeease finish that tail fast because I want to see it alreadyyy,
The mold looks great!

[Aino Revontuletar]

Wow your tail is looking amazing! I am definitely jealous! I will be nearing the $2000 mark soon in my tail savings, but I have been feeling disheartened thinking that it will be all too much for me and I will ruin it, having no previous knowledge of any of this stuff, no shed full of tools, nobody to help me who knows what they are doing, etc. And living in Australia on top of that, with everything costing so much. I am thinking that with the amount of money I would be spending on it, I could just buy a Merbella's performance tail. Which would be wonderful, but it's just not the same as making your own, y'know?

[Mizuko]

Happy New Years everyone!
Sorry for being so quiet again. Life has been insaneeee.

Well,after finishing my scale mold, I had to pack it up un-cleaned and send it on a truck to my home town (along with all the other tail making stuff)! It got to my home town the day after I arrived- but when we went to pick it up, they were closed. For a week. ARGHHHHHHHH.
So I lost a week, which was super frustrating. I spent it twiddling my thumbs and being irritating to my parents because I talked about it constantly. haha!
But Christmas past, and a few days later I was able to pick up my precious cargo!

What I wasn't expecting, however, was how difficult it would be to clean the mold. Oh goodness. I highly recommend anyone who does a unique scale sheet like mine to be prepared for THREE days of cleaning. My fingers on my right hand are still numb! There were lots of undercuts which needed meticulous gentle picking with wooden toothpicks (dont use anything metal on Ultracal, it scratches the mold!And fingernails do too, so dont use them either!) I somehow roped my dad into helping me, but in two hours he only managed to do a few inches and gave up. Haha!

I was very eager to begin pouring at this stage. But... as I was picking away slowly I decided to make ANOTHER tail, not my pink one, first. HAHA! Yep, I don’t know why but I just decided to start on another colour scheme and finish my pink tail second. So... I re-poured the fluke molds, this time in white, so I could paint it easier. I really want to share the colour scheme with you all but for now I’ll leave it a secret, because I haven’t started painting yet and it might change (again)! Haha!

Finally I could pour the scale molds, three days of cleaning paid off!
Here’s it after I had laid the power-mesh layer on:
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When I pulled the first scale sheet out of the mold I ran down through the garden screaming excitedly. It was such a long time, so many mistakes, but to have a completed scale sheet was the best feeling ever!

Jessica, the angel that she is, sent me a little email about how to do the seams, and it was just in time as I was starting the seams! Thank you so so much Jessica!!

I seamed it once, and then tried it on... to discover it was far too big. Ugh.So I pulled apart one side, and took it in. I tried it on again: still too big.WHAT? Took it in again. STILL TOO BIG. I was so frustrated!! I couldn’t understand what was going on! So I took it apart one last time, and took it in quite a bit. Lol! It might be too tight now, but I don’t care (plus I’m planning to lose some weight before I visit Phuket in Feb! Lol!) Because of all the taking-in, one side seam is not as nice as I’d wish. Its quite thick, but I’m hoping some clever painting might cover it enough. I’ve certainly learnt for my pink tail how much I need to take it in now!

My fluke I tried something different with. Instead of ‘gluing’ fabric to the monofin itself, I put power mesh on both sides of the silicone fluke- it meant I didn’t have to cast the silicone thick and it also helped covering the black monofin without paint! I then used some of the silicone glue from SmoothOn to stick the fluke to the monofin in little ‘strips’, and once that was dry I shoved some lubed-up rulers into the gaps I wanted to make drainage holes with(lubing up rulers was a new experience for me, haha!). Then I poured/pushed uncured silicone into the gaps and squished everything down. It seemed to have worked! So my monofin is not only sealed into the fluke, its also stuck to it!I haven’t swum in it to see how the drainage works, so hopefully its ok!

And I have now attached my fluke to the scale body, this is just before I trimmed the bottom of the scales and stuck them down:
16771

Also, please excuse the big seams, I need to trim them better! Haha!

I’m having a break today because I am EXHAUSTED. Lol! Its a whole lot of work,lots of waiting for silicone to cure, lots of fixing mistakes. But I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Haha!

[jazz2453]

Looking GREAT! You worked hard and I hope the final result is amazing!

[Jessica]

It looks amazing!!! I can't wait to see this finished! I'm glad the seam video helped! :)

I love the idea of adding powermesh to the back of the fluke.....I think I will try that! I think it would help hide the ridges on the wave monofin :) I also can't wait to see how the silpoxy worked!

The scale shape is just beautiful! I really love them! :) maybe one day we can do a tail swap....you make me one, I make you one :)

keep up the great work!

[Aino Revontuletar]

Wow, that looks nothing short of incredible! Well done!

[Mizuko]

Thank you everyone! ^__^
And omg Jessica, I would love a tail swap one day!! XD

[Black Akira]

Looking good so far.

[PearlieMae]

Wow! That is so awesome! I can't wait to see it finished! I like the roundness of your fluke, too! Great work!

[Mizuko]

16797
Can you tell I'm happy that if finally fits after taking it in 3 times? haha!

The fluke is REALLY heavy; competitor + silicone = lots of weight! haha! I'll get very strong legs lifting it up like this! lol!

I begin painting tomorrow- its the part I am most nervous about. Wish me luck!!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Omg u look so cute and happy!! :D Yaaaaay!! Did u recieve my card? ^^

[Aino Revontuletar]

Taking it in three times must have been a nightmare considering they are not exactly easy to seam up! It looks like it fits now though, awesome :)

[Merman Arion]

Wow! Amazing! :D

[Shaylee Moon]

How cuuuute! I can't wait to see it when its colored!

[Jessica]

Great job!! I really love the fluke shape! :) Its so exciting to see so much progress :)

[Mizuko]

Thank you everyone! :D
I haven't received your card yet, Ariel! >.< I will keep an eye out for it! (Checking the post office today so hopefully its there! :D )

[Oceana]

Ahhhh, it's super cute! Congrats!

I can't wait to see what it will look like when it's all painted :D

[Mizuko]

Painting painting painting! I discovered painting is the most fun part, even though I was so scared of starting! haha!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Painting is the most fun part! :D iiiihh!!

[spottedcatfish]

Great work!! I'm going to have to do this one day!!!

[MermaidStormy]

It looks super amazing *__* dear you go girl !!!

[Mizuko]

I'm starting a scale bra to match the tail! :D Its going to be difficult though, as I'm a D cup and curving the scales over the bra will be... painstaking. haha! Thank you to Jessica for all the info in her top-making thread! :D

[Fifi Tigg]

Looking forward to seeing the finished tail! You are so talented and all the hiccups along the way are all going to be worth it :D

[Mermaid Bella]

im so excited about this, i have no idea how i missed this thread entirely but i just power read the whole thing. cannot wait!!!

[Mizuko]

Woo! Guess how hot it is today?!
Hot enough for the locals to go swimming:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4bwNuXVDWI

Its 46 degrees Celsius. Which I believe in Fahrenheit is 115. Our city is to become the 'hottest capital city' in the world. lol!

But, MY TAIL IS FINISHED!
I attached the side fins last night, so tonight when I get home from work I'll take some photos outside in the sunlight (and hopefully not melt!)

[Jessica]

That's such a cute video!

Pictures!! We need pictures!!! Can't wait to see the tail all finished!! :)

[Trident True]

OMG, pictures, pictures, pictures. :)

[Mizuko]

17398

The lighting was WAY too bright, but here is one photo to give you all a preview :)

[Mizuko]

It was dirty, I forgot to wipe it clean for the photo XD

I was going to call it the 'dawn/sunset' tail, but after my partner saw it he said "It looks like ice cream". So its officially the Ice Cream Tail now. lol.


I have learnt SO SO SO much in making this tail! There are some mistakes, which I know how to avoid next time. But I'm already planning my next one! :) Thank you to EVERYONE who has been so supportive and cheering me on! Especially Jessica for ALL her help!! I couldn't have done it without you!!

[-Annwyn-]

Ice Cream Tail is a great name! Looks fabooo!

Now I'm thinking of those Ice Cream Dolls from the 80s, anyone remember those ?! :)

[Winged Mermaid]

Great name for it! It's soooo pretty!! Can't wait for more pics! I'd like a close up on those pretty fins, pretty please :)

[Morticia Mermaid]

That's some really awesome coloring Mizuko

[Mermaid Evolet]

wow it looks great!
can't wait to see it in the water <3

[Mermaid Lilium]

that tail is so pretty, can't wait to see more photos and videos of it in action!

and I giggled so much at that possum video XD <3

[Ilyena]

Soo pretty, you can see the sparkles when the picture in enlarged :D. How much does the monofin fill the fluke?

[Merley]

I'm so late on this. How are all Australians so damn attractive? You look so pretty in that dress, Mizuko. And your eyes are so big O.O I'm jelly. The tail looks like it's coming out great. I really like your fluke. It reminds me of a butterfly. Keep up the good work.

[Mermaid Adriel]

LOVE IT! and Ice Cream is a perfect name for this! ;D

[MermaidMyrthe]

It is absolutely gorgeous! :swoon:

[Mermaid Dottie]

OH MIZU! That came out absolutely stunning! I love it! You did amazing work!
Congratulations!

[AniaR]

Lovely!!!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Jessica]

Mizuko,
this tail turned out so beautiful! It's just incredible! I can't believe it's only your first!!

I'm glad I was able to help! I'm so proud of you!!! I can't wait to see pictures of you in it!! ;)

[PearlieMae]

We all scream for ice cream because that tail is GORGEOUS!

[Mizuko]

Thank you so much everyone!! It was a lot of hard work and I learnt SO MUCH. I feel very proud but humbled because its amazing how a dream can really become a reality :) Thank you! <3


How much does the monofin fill the fluke?
The monofin fills up MOST of the fluke, haha! The very ends are slightly floppy but not by much :)

I'm taking it for a swim tomorrow morning!! <3

[XMermaidMarinaX]

Videos videos videos

[Mermaid Oshun]

that is lovely Mizuko. I love the soft colors

[Fifi Tigg]

What a beautiful piece of workable art! :D

[ShyMer]

Yay so glad it's finished!

Sent from my Huawei-H867G using Tapatalk

[Miyu]

*gasp* :jawdrop: It's beautiful! I love the colours!!!

[Mizuko]

Finally got to swim in it!!! :D
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[Mizuko]

And the video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JF2LBllYgU&amp;feature=youtu.be


Oh wow, getting the tail ON was the hardest part. haha! The tail itself, in the water, feels MAGICAL. But it took me 15mins to get into it. I was wearing skin coloured panty-hose because I heard it grips better- and it does, it just makes it near IMPOSSIBLE to get on without lube!! lol! So I'm going to go invest in some silicone safe lube. haha!

[Miyu]

SOOOO PRETTYYYYYY :swoon::rainbow::rollover:

[-Annwyn-]

And the video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JF2LBllYgU&amp;feature=youtu.be


Oh wow, getting the tail ON was the hardest part. haha! The tail itself, in the water, feels MAGICAL. But it took me 15mins to get into it. I was wearing skin coloured panty-hose because I heard it grips better- and it does, it just makes it near IMPOSSIBLE to get on without lube!! lol! So I'm going to go invest in some silicone safe lube. haha!

It looks stunning! I use ordinary conditioner as lube to get into my tail, certainly cheaper than the 'love-you-long-time' gunk! C:

[MerEmma]

So graceful underwater! Your tail looks so good on you! <3

[Nicoseamus]

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! WOW!

[OceanRose]

I love this tail! And love the name Ice Cream Tail!!!! it's making me feel like icecream .... really really pretty, Mizuko <3

[Fifi Tigg]

Just gorgeous! It suits your personality to a T :D

[Mermaid Lilium]

asdfghjkl;' so pretty!!! And Mizuko, I LOVE your scale bra too! did you use one of those wonderbra's with the 'hands' in the cups as a base?

[Mermaid Kelda]

It looks fantastic! And so do you! I agree with Emma, you look so graceful :)

[Toxotes]

I'm speechless...
Really awesome, your tail. You make a very beautiful mermaid!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Ooooowwh myyy goooowwwd!!!U did it girl!!! I'm So proud of you!!!I'm glad wi was part of the funraising of your tail ! <3

[MermaidStormy]

Be proud dear <3 Your tail is gorgeous your amazing :D

[Talia]

Mizuko, it is not beautiful, it is OMG AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!!!!! :jawdrop:

I do love your top as well. The colors are beautiful, they look like mother of pearl. Congratulations!

[*Celine*]

Nice job Mizuko!!! you look very elegant and the colors are very soft and beautiful!!!

[Mizuko]

Thank you so much everyone! :D Its been quite a journey! I really appreciate all your kind words, it makes me feel even prouder that other people like it too! ^__^


asdfghjkl;' so pretty!!! And Mizuko, I LOVE your scale bra too! did you use one of those wonderbra's with the 'hands' in the cups as a base?
I got a very cheep bra from my local Target store- it is actually a cup size too small!! haha! They didn't have any in my size so I went a size down, and it probably looks like a pushup bra now! haha! XD

[Firemaid]

Wow!!! It turned out perfect for you!

[Jessica]

This tail is just lovely! :) it really does fit your personality so well! You're such a natural underwater. I love watching your videos!

How do you like a full silicone tail vs. your silicone/neoprene lined tail? Is there a big difference with swimming?

[PearlieMae]

You were born to swim in a tail! You look so natural and the color choices are perfect for your coloring! Simply stunning! Congratulations!

[Mizuko]

I would say the main difference beside the size of the monofins would be the buoyancy :) I never really noticed the buoyancy of my neoprene-lined tail until I swam in this full silicone one! Its not a huge difference, but its much easier to float on my back in my neoprene one! Once I get to a certain depth (I think its about 8-10ft) I dont notice the difference between the two buoyancy-wize, I think due to pressure (and I think I'm naturally neutrally buoyant at that depth too). The bigger monofin is greattttt. haha! It will be good for ocean swimming when the currents are up- having said that, my Merbellas tail held up pretty well in the ocean with currents too, but that might be because I am used to swimming in rough seas. I am losing propulsion with the bigger monofin, though, because the foot pockets are too big! XD I'm going to buy some neoprene booties and stuff the pockets with some plastic cut from buckets (my freediving instructor told me that, haha!). It will mean I wont lose so much propulsion anymore :)

[Mermaid Dottie]

Now that I've seen you in tail (MARVELOUS, by the way), I wanted to tell you that you look EXACTLY like your avatar/Logo. XD <3
I also ADORE those hip fins. You look like a type of Mer-fairy.
Or possibly a much prettier version of a barbie mermaid.

[The Harlem Mermaid]

Wow!!! stunning my dear