Looking at starting up as a European-based tailmaker!

[Mermaid Lilium]

Hey I posted a couple of designs a bit ago, dipping my toes in so to speak lol

But I'm seriously considering becoming a tailmaker (selling tails not just making them for myself) I want to focus on full-silicone tails but I will probably have to start out with neoprene+paint and neoprene+sequin tails for now.

In practical terms... I have the idea of making and selling miniature silicone tails for the BJD (ball jointed doll) community (that a load of my friends are a part of) to raise money for materials for the first full silicone tail. The first one will probably be for myself unless anyone feels daring enough to buy the first tail commission before then.

I am very serious about this but I just want to get some feedback on who would actually be interested (including those outside of europe) and what you would like to see most in the tails.

I'm looking into material costs for making a 'basic' tail generally with a finis foil, which would be the cheapest option, through to more complex designs that will likely draw on my gothic influences. I'm also determined to always stay open to fully custom jobs (for example I'm looking at making a secondary tail for myself which will be a steampunk mer tail!)

I'm a visual artist in my training as a photographer although my job title should be 'chief bodger' as I usually make clothes, props etc for my shoots. I'm a total perfectionist and I 'know' what looks good if that makes sense?

I'm going to try to start making the BJD tails by the end of the summer/early autumn so you can see my skills in use.

So... let me know what you think!

I'll be posting my designs on this thread seeing as I started doing so: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4870-Ok-so-it-was-suggested-I-post-my-designs-%28image-heavy%29

[Echidna]

It would be great to have another tailmaker in Europe!
The only one I know of is Magictail, and while those are really good beginner tails (incredibly nice looking too for fabric),
for the aspiring mermaid performer (or ocean swimming), something more sturdy is required.

If you ever get to make silicone tails with a Finis monofin in it, I'm certainly interested!
My expectations for a good tail are quite simplistic though; good swim ability in water, little drag, nice looking paint job, elegant fluke shape.
Nothing too fancy or elaborate; but I'm sure others will come up with lots of ideas if you seek a challenge :D

Best of luck, I hope you will start up a business!

[Mermaid Varshana]

It looks like our community needs all the tail makers it can get. When "Who made your tail?" is a common bonding question and the expected answer is one of maybe 5 people in the world, we need more makers.

[Mermaid Lilium]

Yeah all I've been able to find in europe is magictail/mermaid kat who uses sweammer fins and I'd definately like to offer the choice of the finis fins as I know how popular they are and I know they each have their own advantages. I'd also like to be able to offer the sweammer fins to our north american mers as it's hard to get them over there.

kakarotte, would you consider ordering from me even though I'm the other side of the atlantic? Do you think others would?

[MerEmma]

Totally depends on the work. For me, and probably for others. For example, I'd order from Raven even if she was wayyy far away and dealing with overseas. But probably not other's works that I don't admire as much.

[LittlePolly]

I think it's a wonderfull idea. If you have the time and knowledge to make great tails you should do it!

[Mermaid Varshana]

Totally depends on the work. For me, and probably for others. For example, I'd order from Raven even if she was wayyy far away and dealing with overseas. But probably not other's works that I don't admire as much.

^^ this. People who are really good at tail making will have customers worldwide.

[Mermaid Lilium]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll have to get cracking and prove myself to you all ;)

More feedback/comments will always be welcome. <3

[Mermaid Dottie]

Quick question... What's a bodger?

[Mermaid Lilium]

Quick question... What's a bodger?

someone who hap-hazardly does things? to bodge is to put something together haphazardly with little or no experience, usually successfully lol. For example I make dresses for shoots with no training or prior experience but they turn out good and fit for their purpose for shoots etc =)

[Mermaid Mina]

I will keeping and eye on you . a new tail maker in europe would been wery nice indeed espcial one that makes silicone tails . :3

[Mermaid Lilium]

I will keeping and eye on you . a new tail maker in europe would been wery nice indeed espcial one that makes silicone tails . :3

:D I'm happy to hear that. I might have to start a fundraiser to get things going properly though with how much the silicone costs over here, but I'm at least going to try to get the clay to start sculpting this summer! *excited*

can I ask you what sort of tails you would be interested in? =)

[Mermaid Mina]

:D I'm happy to hear that. I might have to start a fundraiser to get things going properly though with how much the silicone costs over here, but I'm at least going to try to get the clay to start sculpting this summer! *excited* can I ask you what sort of tails you would be interested in? =) Ohhh nice nice :D it will be intresting to watch your progress . Good question I dont have a mermaid tail yet so I dont have any expirence of using one xp , but I think Neoprene or silcone \partial silicone tail sounds intresting and more durable than just a spandex tail. I really love your designs you sketched by the way :3 . ps sorry for the bad grammar and typo xP english isnt my best skill.

[Mermaid Lilium]

Ohhh nice nice :D it will be intresting to watch your progress . Good question I dont have a mermaid tail yet so I dont have any expirence of using one xp , but I think Neoprene or silcone \partial silicone tail sounds intresting and more durable than just a spandex tail. I really love your designs you sketched by the way :3 . ps sorry for the bad grammar and typo xP english isnt my best skill.

I'll probably be focusing on full silicone tails but will probably do neoprene+cast silicone and painted neoprene tails. If my personal tail goes quickly (neoprene and sequins) I might also do limited commissions for those too =)

and thank-you ^_^ I haven't got photos of my most recent designs but my university work has taken over right now lol.

Your English is great, don't be so hard on yourself :P It's probably better grammar than most people in the UK use haha

[Mermaid Mina]

I'll probably be focusing on full silicone tails but will probably do neoprene+cast silicone and painted neoprene tails. If my personal tail goes quickly (neoprene and sequins) I might also do limited commissions for those too =)

and thank-you ^_^ I haven't got photos of my most recent designs but my university work has taken over right now lol.

Your English is great, don't be so hard on yourself :P It's probably better grammar than most people in the UK use haha

hurrr I might buy one from you if you do x3 , Its sorta sad that there arnt more tail makers in europe x3 buying from tail maker from usa would be so expensive due to the shipping cost @,@. Soo yeah I will be watching with great intrest !:cool:

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Hello!


I am really very interested in this your initiative and I look forward to seeing what you can do!
I peeked a little bit of your work and they are wonderful! I love your gothic trend and everything you do!


I hope to soon see your first creation and to have the pleasure of following the tailmaking process.


Since short I will start my professional career you could be my trusted tailmaker and I really hope I can have a good cooperation with you. :)


Looking for hear from you, for anything feel free to PM me :)

[Mermaid Lilium]

Hello!


I am really very interested in this your initiative and I look forward to seeing what you can do!
I peeked a little bit of your work and they are wonderful! I love your gothic trend and everything you do!


I hope to soon see your first creation and to have the pleasure of following the tailmaking process.


Since short I will start my professional career you could be my trusted tailmaker and I really hope I can have a good cooperation with you. :)


Looking for hear from you, for anything feel free to PM me :)

Hi! glad to hear you're interested :D

I look forward to working with you =)

[Mermaid Fenicia]

As I live in Belgium, I'm very interested too ;) But first I need to get the money to buy a tail ;)

[Mermaid Lilium]

As I live in Belgium, I'm very interested too ;) But first I need to get the money to buy a tail ;)

I need to get the money to make the first tail so I know how you feel ;D

I should be getting some money through (it's actually funding for my photography degree but I'm going to raid it >.>') in a few weeks, so I should be able to order some clay to start sculpting. that's kinda my step one... I have my fingers crossed that if it's good enough that someone might even take a risk and buy the first tail with a huge discount (just above the cost of making it) but we'll see... at the moment I'm planning with the idea that the first full size tail will be my own one.

If I can save up to pay for all the extra kit it takes to get it all done (airbrush kit inc compressor, materials etc) then maybe by the time the first tail is done you guys might have managed to save enough for your own tail! =)

I will point out to you guys though, that having looked at the cost of materials from the UK, please understand that the materials themselves are much more expensive than in America (£230 +20%VAT for one gallon of dragonskin silicone). But between the savings on shipping and import taxes, compared to importing a tail from north america, it should still work out cheaper. And it will be cheaper in the long-term for shipping if you need repairs or resizing done on your tail. =)

Feel free to add me and/or PM me guys =)

[Mermaid Marina]

Hi Kat
im based in north Devon and would love a proper silicone tail, cost has always been an issue for me as ordering from USA includes shipping and customs charges. I made my own neoprene tail with sequins which took me over 150 hours to create but would love a more realistic one.
What sort of charge would you be thinking of?
So wonderful to hear you could be our UK tail maker! Wishing you all the very best of luck and keep in touch!
Marina xxxx

[Mermaid Lilium]

Hi Kat
im based in north Devon and would love a proper silicone tail, cost has always been an issue for me as ordering from USA includes shipping and customs charges. I made my own neoprene tail with sequins which took me over 150 hours to create but would love a more realistic one.
What sort of charge would you be thinking of?
So wonderful to hear you could be our UK tail maker! Wishing you all the very best of luck and keep in touch!
Marina xxxx

Hi! =)

wow so much respect for your dedication with the sequins <3 do you have any photos of it? =)

At the moment I think it's probably going to end up with the full price as between £2,000 - £3,000, trying to bear in mind that the materials are much more expensive here. This does mean that it'll be much more expensive for a USA mer as it would end up equating to roughly $5k >_<

but don't let the price scare you, or get your hopes up, I need to do a thorough costing, and see how long it takes me to make the first tail - I'll basically be adding labour costs onto the materials costs, but that will probably be the UK minimum wage or something like that.

I'll keep you all updated on prices and such =)

So excited that people are genuinely interested! :D