Nerines New top

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Ive made one top semi succesfully but I learned some things about making it better. So I am currently under way of creating a new top to match my tail and my new necklace. Its different but similar to the current tops. Im semi reluctant to share becasue I do not want people copying my style and idea. But I know alot of people really need help understanding the process. So I thought I would share mine.

Ive been on tiny chat several nights now working on it live. Ill be posting here when I get on to work so you can follow the progress. Ill explain how I do it. No mind you my way isnt the only way. But it works for me.

Ive been working on it over a manniquin. Found it much easier to do this way.


So heres the progrss shots so far.

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As you can see I have a theme. The lions paws are also themed. Ill show them later.
If you like the necklace its a custom original by B's Creative Ventures. She can be found on FB. THis was a $50 +shipping. It has real pearls, mermaids tears and the spiral shells. The sand dollar is a sculpt. The entire necklace is swim safe made with crocheted nylon cording. She did an amazing job matching the blue to my tail! I only told her I wanted it blue and white to match my tail and to have pearls. The rest was up to her.

As for my top. The netting was hand painted white. The plant material was also painted.

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Oh Yeah! ALmost forgot to mention.

Ill be adding a new item to my etsy. Mer tops like this for busty mers. Ill be taking orders after I finish mine. Mainly be working with mers D cup and larger. I will of course take orders from all mers but My focus will be busty mers like myself. I firmly beleive you have to be big and busty to totally undertand how to make a top for a busty mer. Theres just things you cant fullyunderstand about fit and weight and suchif youve never expereinced it.

Once upon a time I was a 36B but Im now a 36E. So Ive been all over and I know how frustratign it is to not have a top that is comfortable in and out of the water. Im hopeing to change that.

Priceing is still being worked out as I move along on my top, Ill be figureing out material cost. I will endevour to keep prices as low as I can just like on my belts.

[Ayla of Duluth]

Nerine that is stunning! I LOVE the blue plants!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

I think it'll be the most beautiful top ever!I can't wait to see it completed :D
I also like very much the necklace.What you're doing it's wonderful <3

[Mermaid Kelda]

Looks great! I really love monochrome colour schemes :) and the lace is something different!

[Mermaid Shayna]

I love it! Can't wait to see it finished.
I will probably buy from you. I'm a 36D and I cannot find mermaid tops that fit, or make them.

[MermaidNerenia]

yay! busty mer tops!

[Kanti]

O:
Wow! Love the idea of painting the plants! Very smart!
It's going to match your tail perfectly~

[Ashe]

Girl, that is one awesome looking top! I love love love those little blue aquarium plants you added around the side, they match your tail and necklace beautifully. I can't wait to see more progress pics! :D

[Mermaid Tula]

<3

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@mermaid shayna I forgot to mention that I will be requiring you to send your own swim top to me. Otherwise I can't guarantee the fit :)

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@kalani the plants are not aquarium plants. They are regular floral plastic plants I spray painted.

[Ashe]

Oops, haha my bad :P I have ones that look similar in my fish tank. They are really good looking though!

[halesloveswhales]

Wow that's beautiful! So unique!

[NerineArcticMermaid]

http://tinychat.com/gt9f1

on tiny chat working now!

[Blondie]

that will match your tail SO perfectly! Bravo!

[NerineArcticMermaid]

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Current Progress. Nearly done with the one side. I absolutly love how its turning out!!!
The netting was hand painted white. its the standard stuff you can buy at hobby lobby.

[Mermaid Shayna]

Ooh, it just gets better xD Did you paint the shells, too?

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@Mermaid Shayna... Yes I painted the shells too.

[Mermaid Shayna]

I wish I were as artistic as you ):
(Am I being obsessive? I just love mermaid tops)

[NerineArcticMermaid]

ITs not really much of being artistic as knowing what you like and figureing out how to do it.

[Mermaid Shayna]

I have a bunch of stuff to make a top, but it never works out. I'm going to try one more time once the weather gets warm so I can use the e6000. What paints did you use for the shells? I bought some, but they don't match each other quite right, and I'd rather they were silver.

[Kanti]

D':
Wow the paint job on those shells is gorgeous!

[NerineArcticMermaid]

for the shells....I used liqutex heavy body fine art acrylic...then sealed it with a triple thick glaze
For the plants..I used krylon fusion for plastic.. and also sealed it.

The only glue is hot glue dual temp.

I'll prob be on tonight working after I finish my essay for class.

[Mermaid Harmony]

will your hot glue stay in the water?

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Should with how much I used.

[Ayla of Duluth]

This has got to be right up there with Raven quality work. The way you gradiented the blue and white on the shells, and the blue and white mixed plants is just...ohmygosh. I have no words. <3

[Mizuko]

So beautiful!! <3 <3

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@ayla! Making me blush over here. I dont know about being put on par with Raven. Shes asolutly amazing. Im just well fumbling along!

[Spindrift]

That's cute. :)

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Photo Wall! Sorry. Worked alot on top last night. Nearly done!

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[Morticia Mermaid]

Very nice! I like it

[AniaR]

Stunning! You always come up with things that are so unique!

[Sephina]

This is totally gorgeous!

[Mermaid Dottie]

It's Gorgeous! Its so you, too.

[Mermaid Saphira]

Muy inteligente! I love this top :D

[Mahi Mermaid]

this is gorgeous! I liked the lace in the first pic. but the shells are awesome!

[Mermaid Octavia]

Oh wow! It's beautiful!

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@raina. I try! ;)

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@krystal. It wasnt lace. just more swim maretial with a "hole" design or cut outs... it was pretty but I really wanted a more "mermaidy" look.

[Mermaid Kelda]

Is the base a bra? Or is it a bikini top?

[NerineArcticMermaid]

it is a bikini top i bought.

[Mermaid Kelda]

Ah okay! I thought it was a bra with material on top. Have you tried it on yet? Does it seem supportive enough? As a busty mer myself, I have issues with bikini tops not supporting me, and I've found that adding more stuff like shells onto them just makes it worse. Maybe I'm not using the right kind of adhesive.

[Marilla]

What a lovely top! I'm a 34DD and it's hard to find anything that's comfy! I am worried that when it comes time for my top to be created I will be a bit lost. I hope I can buy one from you, funds permitting :)

xoxo ~ Mermaid Marilla

[NerineArcticMermaid]

I wore the top swimming several times. Its an underwire swim top. Very comfy.


@marilla .... Unfortunelty with this style the tops wont be cheap. Still calculating cost of material at this point.

[Mermaid Kelda]

I think my problem is I haven't been using underwire tops... I should've thought of that xD thanks!

[Ayla of Duluth]

OHMYGOD YOU GUYS LOOK WHAT NERINE MADE FOR ME
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I don't even know what to say about this, it's absolutely gorgeous. I'm so happy about it too because my only swimsuit top that I wear while mermaiding was destroyed by the water at my last gig, so I'm gonna have to be a topless mer until this one arrives. <3
Here's a picture of some hair clips she made. She's making me some similar ones to match my top.
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She'll actually be offering these for purchase soon. I'm excited to see what other stuff she comes up with. Anyways, just thought I'd share cuz I'm just so happy! EEE!!! :D

[Mermaid Dottie]

I saw! They're so perfect!

[MerEmma]

Very pretty!<3

[Mermaid Saphira]

Ayla, those shells will match your tail absolutely perfectly :D :D wonderful job with the painting

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Wooh! Been hard at work on my top. Ready to start Aylas!
DId have an issue with flaking of paint but i think i fixed that..

I will post images soon.

Sorry for the absence. Comcast cut my hardline for cable last week. Took forever to fix.. Couldnt get on net... no tv... UGH! cell phone was unrealiable! Yeah for beingback on the internet!

Going mobile was a pain in the buttocks!

[Mermaid Tula]

<3<3 Can't wait to see more pics! And Glad to see you back ^_^

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Ill post them eventually...
Just realized I need to add some stuff yet..

more rhinestones and some pearls are missing yet ;)