PearlieMae's Silicone Tail Journey

[Mermaid Adriel]

*_______________*

[MerEmma]

Thanks, everyone! I'm so excited!

Emma, You are AWESOME! I might have some neat ideas about the scales for my tail BUT YOU ARE BUILDING A FREAKING DINOSAUR!!!! :hail:

xD Thank you. Your tail though, f'realsies, looks amazing.
(also, like 8 more days I think? True panic mode.)

[PearlieMae]

8 more days??? :gah:

This should help:

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[MerEmma]

xD Maybe a little! Today I get to get out my airbrush and I'm sort of intimidated by it. :b

[LaNyah]

xD Maybe a little! Today I get to get out my airbrush and I'm sort of intimidated by it. :b

I was too, but it turned out to be a great tool!

[SeaNymph]

Brilliant detailing!!!

[Starfrit]

I am SO excited to see the end result of this tail. The fluke design is absolutely stunning, and I'm loving the colors! That fluke is to die for! :jawdrop:

[Mermaid Ellowyn]

So gorgeous, Pearlie... Seriously!

[Azurin Luna]

Wow! That fluke is going to look awesome! :D

[Mermaid Aalayah]

I love this tail!! I can't wait to see it when its done :)

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[Deepsea merman]

OMG! looks so pretty!

[Mermaid Adriel]

awww so lovely! :swoon:

[Ashton]

very nice!

[MerEmma]

WOW! So much caution in one picture :P

[Trident True]

so much attention to detail amazes me, seriously all the hard work is paying off. EXCELLENT :)

[Mermaid Clara]

wow, this is coming along so beautifully!

[AniaR]

wow!!!

[jukumerboii]

That is A MAZ ING

[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

:jawdrop: Can't wait to see the whole tail finished. It's so beautiful!

[BayouMermaid]

I love how you poured the veins in instead of painting them afterwards. I think that it will make for some really clean lines. It looks gorgeous. <3

[PearlieMae]

Thanks, everyone! Fins crossed I don't screw it up!

[Mizuko]

So beautiful! :D

[Anahita]

Holy bejeezus Pearlie..... This is coming out beyond amazing!

[Deepsea merman]

I made a plaster cloth cast of my lower half...jumping jellyfish! My ass is massive!
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Hi! can you explain how you did the mold with plaster?
thank you

[PearlieMae]

Hi! can you explain how you did the mold with plaster?
thank you

I used plaster cloth, the kind used to make casts for broken bones. You can get rolls out it at most art and crafts our at sculptor supply places. I cut manageable size pieces, dipped each piece in water and smoothed it onto my legs. I kept the layer thin so I didn't add bulk to my already thick body! Hahaha!

[Deepsea merman]

Hahaha! Thank you :) i'm going to make an extended tail.
P.s: I love your tail

[Winged Mermaid]

So so stunning! Can't wait to see it done!!

[Ariel-Starfish]

eeeeeeh so awsome!!!!

[PearlieMae]

Thanks! I'm pulling the first half of the fluke out of the mold probably tonight!

Then I have to start on the other side. Sigh...I want to finish this!

[Deepsea merman]

I can't wait to see this complete

[MerEmma]

WOW. O_O

[Carolina Mermaid]

That. Is. Amazing!

[lollikit]

Yay so close!!!

[Starfrit]

God, that's so pretty. I'm so jealous! I love the shimmer from the fabric.

[Seraphina Suds]

Amazing! And so shimmery!

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[Jessica]

Beautiful pearlie!! Your fluke is going to look amazing!!

[Mizuko]

holy mother of pearl <3 That looks incredible Pearlie!!!! :D :D omg it makes me so excited to see your next steps!! haha!

[Nyx]

Omygosh that looks amazing Pearl!

[PearlieMae]

:bed now:

[lollikit]

Keep on swimming! You can get it finished!!!

[Ilyena]

If it wasn't sparkly enough :D

[Anahita]

They look like mini-scales! :)

[PearlieMae]

They, too, transition from purple to green, but it didn't show in camera.

[ShyMer]

I thought there was going to be a hard line in the color transition between the purple veins and the lighter color, but it looks blended. Nice job!

It looks like it would feel awesome to play with, the texture looks great.

[PearlieMae]

You're right! There is going to be a hard line, this was a test fin that had a soft line...I'm going to continue the chunky glitter up into the lines at the tops of each translucent section, though. I played with it a little more after I took this shot and really like how it's going to look!

[Echidna]

This will look amazing from below with the sun shining through the water.

[PearlieMae]

I'm going to be a purple Disney mermaid princess! Well, maybe the chunky purple mermaid best friend of a Disney princess...

:rollover:

Go big or go home, right?

[Pascal21M]

What are your next works for the mermaid tail to finish it?

[Pascal21M]

I like your style. Will it be finished at the end of this month?

[PearlieMae]

Fins crossed! :dance:

[Mermaid Dottie]

Dreamy <3

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[Mermaid_Dominique]

I really llike the colour you used on your fluke! I'm sure you're going to look like a Disney princess! :D

[Mermaid Jessica]

OMG your tail is so beautiful! I cannot wait to see the finished product.

[Winged Mermaid]

Fins: :drool:

[MermaidKatrina]

Very gorgeous! When I am ready to invest in crafting another tail (after I am finished up with the one I am currently making), I want to try out your technique here! I love it!

[CowgirlMermaid]

Black to purple fade sounds great!
But maybe you could do some soft darker purple spots on the light purple places of the rest of the fluke?
Just to make the hearts a little less obivious in the centre of the fluke and to match it more with eachother?

(sorry if the english is abit crappy, I'm dutch)

[Seraphina Suds]

Ahhhh!! It's so beautiful! It looks like such a realistic wing! I kind of like the hearts light like that, but it would also look good as a focal point if you do your black/purple idea.

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[Mermaid_Dominique]

It's coming out really nice pearlie! :D I think your idea will work out just fine! Blue will be a good choice as well, it compliments the purple and matches the rest of your tail :). Good luck!

[PearlieMae]

Thanks, everyone!

The more I look at it, the more I'm thinking the black to purple fade is going to work...Might do a couple of tests, but I really want to pull this from the mold tonight!

[PearlieMae]

Cowgirl, your English is fine! If you look at the previous page, you'll see some of the detail I will be doing on the fluke with the chunky glitter...it's on a test fin! :D

[Deepsea merman]

The fluke is AMAZING and your idea is amazing too i can't wait to see the tail finish (sorry my inglish too, i'm from portugal)

[MerEmma]

It looks SO good! Black with purple glitter would be really neat.

[CowgirlMermaid]

Pearlie, I saw it, yes. I've been silently following your progress.

Some glitter spot detail would look nice too. Add some too the hearts for some extra glamour?

[Jessica]

Black to purple will be gorgeous! Beautiful work miss pearlie Mae!!!

[Mermaid Dottie]

Yeah, Black-purple sounds awesome. I can't wait till you pull this baby, it's gonna look incredible!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

PURPLE! ITS PURPLE!!!:D

*breathe*

[Winged Mermaid]

AHHHHH SO AMAZING

https://24.media.tumblr.com/58908d22cede207224ce028261be716e/tumblr_n2lyms6SEJ1qk08n1o1_500.gif

[Sephina]

Iona your gif perfectly describes how I feel about this entire tail.

[PearlieMae]

HAHAHAHA!!!

Iona! You're killing me!

Just finished filling the hearts, the smaller one is lighter purple to royal purple, the larger one is the same, but the royal purple blends to black. Waiting is going to be SO hard! But I will wait...going to bed like on Christmas eve, hoping sleep will make the morning come quicker!
:biting nails:

[Starfrit]

http://www.readysettroll.com/articles/images/8581-14-priceless-photos-from-the-lonely-island-14.gif

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1e56tgYui1rqnz7wo1_500.gif


I AM BASICALLY CRYING OVER HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS IS. I really really want to see this fluke when it comes out of the mold, ohmygosh. ;w; I CAN'T HANDLE THIS EXCITEMENT.

[PearlieMae]

Hehehhee! Then I get to do it all over again for the other side!
:doh:

[PearlieMae]

Sneak peek, coming out of the mold... I couldn't resist!

[OceanRose]

HOMYGOD!!

[Mermaid Adriel]

:swoon:

[Azurin Luna]

Amazing colors! :D I want a fluke like that too

[Nicky-Katz]

Pearlie, your work is amazing and really inspiring! After browsing through your thread I've gained confidence to make my own silicone tail in the future!
Thank you!

[Mermaid Cecelia]

Oh my god pearlie that looks awesome! Can't wait to see the rest of it!!!

[PearlieMae]

First chance I've had to get an image together...I collaged it so it's just one upload. I couldn't wait this morning, and had to pull it from the mold! So much is lost in the photos! You have to see it move! I can't wait to get home and work on it!!!

:yay::dance::rotfl::rollover:

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[MerEmma]

Oh my gosh, Pearlie, this project! :O <3

[Rogue Siren]

Amazing!!!!!! Loving this so much. O.O

[Mermaid_Dominique]

OMG OMG the fluke is absolutely amazing!! :O :O It looks stunning!:jawdrop:

[Merman Arion]

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAHHHH !!!!!

:jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawd rop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop:: jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdr op::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::j awdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdro p::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::ja wdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop ::jawdrop:

THIS IS BEYOND AMAZING !

:hail::hail::hail::hail::hail::hail:

[Mermiah]

-dead- my goodness how did you even come up with this! It looks like a sea butterfly! :D I love it so much :)

[Mermaid Tula]

https://31.media.tumblr.com/6ba262b5cc74f7def7b01ad36a23259b/tumblr_inline_mxx5u4WkB21rck7j9.gif
Beautiful!

[JessieMermaid]

STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!Ok whenever I grow the balls to FINALLY make my own silicone tail (which may be a few years) I will probably turn into PearlieMae and go psycho with the individual scales and fluke. This is EPICLY FINTABULOS GORGEOUS!!!!!

[Ariadne]

*swooning* You are ridiculously talented, girl! Smooches!

[PearlieMae]

Hahaha! You guys are cracking me up! Thanks so much! I must say, I am pretty pleased with it! I WANNA GO SWIMMING! :mermaid kiss:

[Ilyena]

Holy moly...that is gorgeous. Tula, your gif describes my reaction better than words :D

[Mermaid Sabie]

Takes my breath away..... You're amazing!

[Anahita]

Holy sonofa.... Dayummmmm Pearlie. I haven't words for how absolutely spectacular this is.... Just.....

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lga79iMOyk1qg4ayxo1_400.gif

[Mermaid Kalliope]

ER MAI GAWD. I LURVE DIS THANG. :3

I have a butterfly design idea, and man... dis fluke.... Guuuurl. Haha you win. TOTALLY win. ♥♥♥♥

[Nicky-Katz]

I absolutely hate pinks and violets, but THIS! This ist so beautiful!

[Starfrit]

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140125154408/sistersgrimm/images/7/75/Jaw_drop.gif

OH.

MY.

GOD.


I cannot WAIT to see this in the water!

[PearlieMae]

Hahaha!

[MermanOliver]

Wow! That is so amazing! The finished tail will be so incredibly gorgeous! :hail:

[MermaidBrandie]

Omg! This makes me wanna attack my wetsuit and finally get my tail project going. It's GORGEOUS!

[Echidna]

The ones on the right being the new configuration?

I love the green now blending in with the deep blues and purples.
It's so shiny, at first I thought the scales were all sequins.

[PearlieMae]

The two on the left are the front - one angled slightly and full front, and I really didn't change them much. The two on the right are the sides and back...

My mom said I was going to look like a huge fishing lure! :lol:

[Ariel-Starfish]

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m266dorc6L1rqfhi2o1_500.gif

[PearlieMae]

Ariel, that's how I feel when I've been working on it all freakin' weekend!

[Mermiah]

How did you paint it and get it that shiny! Is it that shiny in person or is it the camera flash?
Its the prettiest tail I have ever seen :rollover:

[PearlieMae]

I didn't paint it. Every single scale is cast individually, mixed with glitter or pearl pigment... if you go back through my thread you'll see exactly how I did it.

[Mermaid Dottie]

*Probably the millionth dreamy sigh I've sighed while looking at this thread*

[Mermiah]

/).- I TOTALY knew that! (Blond moment)
But I seriously think I may be in love with it :3 just a little bit and thanks so much for explaining everything so well :D it's very nice of you :)

[PearlieMae]

Aren't you all tired of looking at this thing yet? I can't wait to finish it to start on another one!

I think I'm going to test my glue-down-the-scales technique on a purse with some extra scales tonight.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

No. We NEVER get tired of drooling on gorgeous tails!!

[swimmingsammi95]

I agree with Ireneho!

[Starfrit]

I agree with Ireneho-- If anything, we wanna see MORE. <3

(By the way, the scale config is amazing! I LOVE the colors on the front!)

[PearlieMae]

Here's a quick video of the fluke in the sunlight...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIeZX4rDIRw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Seraphina Suds]

I can't even think of the words to say how incredible that looks!!

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[Anahita]

That came out amazing!

[PearlieMae]

There's still a lot of detail work going to happen, but I am so happy my ideas are working well!

Thanks, everyone! :mermaid kiss:

[Winged Mermaid]

Holy freaking amazeballs!
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj434/svroman/GIFs/HIMYM_Faint-gif.gif

[Mermaid Cecelia]

This has been freaking amazing for the whole time you've been making it, and I have so much anticipation for how it's gonna turn out!!! You keep rockin', Pearlie! :yay: :dance: :hail: :thumbs-up:

[JessieMermaid]

PearlieMae I think this tail project is amazing!!!! And No I will NEVER tire of seeing a brilliant artist at work! Can't wait to see more!!!

[Mermaid Adriel]

OH MY NEPTUNE...

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgmbtx43HZ1qzkrgv.gif

[Deepsea merman]

:o amazing

[lynsea]

Is that silicone bonded to the lexan sheeting or are you just using it to support that side of the fluke?

[PearlieMae]

No, it's just laying on the monofin cutout for now. I'm testing how to encase it in the rubber flukes once I get the other side cast.

[Kelphinea_Kelp]

Now you KNOW!!! people would be passing out left and right over your mad skills GIRL!!!!! just aint even fair i tell ya LMAOOO
GOOD JOB!! It's sparkle-tastic!

[PearlieMae]

Thanks!
I take it you've perused my thread a bit? ;)

[Kelphinea_Kelp]

Ohhhh yes! read all of it xD lol

[Mermaid Dottie]

Holy freaking amazeballs!
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj434/svroman/GIFs/HIMYM_Faint-gif.gif
What Io said! and also, I got chills when I caught sight of the iridescence.

[PearlieMae]

:dance:

[Nyx]

Pearlie your work is absolutely stunning!

[Mizuko]

Words cannot describe how amazing this is, Pearlie!! :D

[BayouMermaid]

Just... wow. No words.

[Mermaid Brighid]

the fluke looks like a butterfly wing! and i love the fact you can slightly see through it!

[PearlieMae]

the fluke looks like a butterfly wing! and i love the fact you can slightly see through it!

The fluke is actually based on my favorite bug's wings, the cicada! The translucence is something I've ben working hard to keep.

Thanks to everyone for all your encouragement!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay I saw this thread waaaaay at the beginning, then I hibernated, now I'm emerging from my cave and WOW. WOOOOWW. YOU ARE GODDESS. WOW. This is making me want to do one too 0.0

[PearlieMae]

I was wondering where you'd gone!
:rollover:

[Mermaid Octavia]

I wish I could see the video (it's blocked here) but I bet it's gooooorgeous~!

[Pascal21M]

Wheres the video??

[Pascal21M]

PearlieMae when will your tail be finished?

[PearlieMae]

http://youtu.be/fIeZX4rDIRw


http://youtu.be/fIeZX4rDIRw

Pascal, if I could tell you that, I could tell you the winning lottery numbers, too. :D

[Pascal21M]

I only can say your tail journey is very amazing.

[MermaidMyrthe]

Holy seacow, Pearlie. Are you kidding? This is AMAZING! No it is faaaaar beyond amazing! How did you manage that? I am just...just... It is just to amazing to be true...

[Mermaid Wesley]

I was wondering where you'd gone!
:rollover:
But I'm back now! Yay!

[PearlieMae]

The second half of the fluke's veining is laid in, now a couple of uncolored layers of silicone go on, and then I will be sandwiching the monofin between the two!
19680

[ShyMer]

So exciting!

[Mermaid Wesley]

I am so stoked for you. And honestly this whole thread is really inspiring. You're sharing so much of your process!! I never would have thought of doing individual scales, but in my current financial situation, doing it one scale at a time would be much more doable I think. And the eyeshadow tip? GREAT. You're making me honk I could actually tackle this thing after all! (If I could actually decide on a color palate, that is. ) so congratulations on this masterpiece and thanks for beig so open about your process!!

[PearlieMae]

Thanks, Hopefully! The way I figure it, it's one way to do a silicone tail a little at a time, which would work for people without a lot of room to work, or a lot of money to lay out at once.

And hopefully, Hopefully, ( ;) ), I will also find mers who like this kind of tail enough to commission one from me. :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh you will. Don't worry :) it's looking stunning

[MermaidBrandie]

I would happily commish you, Pearlie! I just know it's gonna be super expensive tho! lol

[Mermaid Melanie]

so beautiful ! <3

[Mermaid Saphira]

Ohhhh, how intricate the detailing is! This tail is going to be so beautiful, I can tell!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

This whole process has been simply awe-inspiring, I love the multicolour scales and your gorgeous fluke! It has made my dream of my own silicone tail that much more possible! Thank you so much for sharing all of the steps, as someone who has never worked with silicone before, I would prefer to learn from the mistakes of other than mess up a lot of expensive silicone!
A quick question about the silicone; how do you stop it curing in between pours? Can you store it indefinitely in the original buckets (with parts A and B not mixed together) or does it have a limited shelf life? Thanks!

[Deepsea merman]

This whole process has been simply awe-inspiring, I love the multicolour scales and your gorgeous fluke! It has made my dream of my own silicone tail that much more possible! Thank you so much for sharing all of the steps, as someone who has never worked with silicone before, I would prefer to learn from the mistakes of other than mess up a lot of expensive silicone!
A quick question about the silicone; how do you stop it curing in between pours? Can you store it indefinitely in the original buckets (with parts A and B not mixed together) or does it have a limited shelf life? Thanks!

Hi!
I think the silicone will dry after mixing: \ how many silicone do you want to buy?

[PearlieMae]

Sculpting my side fins...
19852

[Mermaid Saphira]

Oh! I really like the look of these! :)

[Ariadne]

Girl, those are gorgeous! You are just amazing...

[Starfrit]

I LOVE the shape of that side-fin! I can't wait to see how they'll look when they're finished!

[PearlieMae]

A different iridescent inlay for a second fluke. ( I think I'm going to use that first fluke on a monofin or fabric tail...not 100% happy with it...)
19858

I'm about to start pouring another layer, so I thought I'd share the before shot.

[Jessica]

Love those side fins!! :) keep up the awesome work pearlie!!

(In response to the silicone shelf life question a page or so back)
silicone does have a shelf life--according to smooth on its 6 months, but it will work past that most of the time. Smooth on guarantees it for 6 months after the manufacture date, but past that I think you're on your own so it's best to use it quickly. Fresh silicone does seem to cure a bit faster too from my experience. Anyway, check the manufacture date when you're buying silicone--some places will sell it several months after the manufactured date so it's important to keep an eye on that!

[JessieMermaid]

I can't wait to see how this comes out

[Mermaid Wesley]

What did you change? I can't tell from the picture. I thought it was lovely so I can't wait to see what you've done!


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[PearlieMae]

Thanks, Jessica! They seem a bit big right now, I may scale them down, no pun intended! And thanks for the silicone info!

I have a different iridescent fabric, it's got a bit more texture and sparkle to it. The first one I did, the silicone was poured a little too thickly and was milky. Not to worry, it won't go to waste!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

So just to clarify, so long as you don't mix the two parts, the silicone will last for quite some time? It's just I'm from Australia, so getting silicone is very expensive, and I'd prefer to buy it in bulk to reduce costs, but not if it is going to solidify on me! Thank you for your help!
Also, I love those side fins, they're looking fantastic! :D

[Anahita]

If you don't combine the parts A and B of the silicone, it has a shelf-life of six months after the manufacture date. However, you have to keep it in some relative sort of climate control - you can't just leave it outside in the middle of summer and expect it to be fine, or in the garage in winter and have it be ok. It will go "bad" faster that way.

I've used 7 month old silicone and it was still ok.... But it had been opened only once before, and I kept it inside the house where it was at a constant 23.3-24 C degrees. Generally speaking though, it's not good to use silicone over 6 months old. And to bank on it still being "ok" much longer than its expiration date seems like an expensive gamble IMO.

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Thanks so much everyone for the info, it has been super helpful!

[PearlieMae]

I used the leftover clay fluke master to make a pair of side and heel fins. I modified two areas to make them, and built clay walls around them, poured my resin, and just pulled them from the clay! I will be pouring the first part of the fins tonight!

The oil based clay is oily enough that it just releases from the resin...here's some pictures!
19887
19888
19889
19890

[JessieMermaid]

AMAZING!!!!!!! This tail of yours is going to be.....theres not even a word for this......

[PearlieMae]

Hahaha! Thanks, Jessie! I just want to finish it so I can swim in it!

[Mermaid Wesley]

So beautiful, pearlie!


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[MermaidBrandie]

can't wait to see this all done!!!

[JessieMermaid]

Pearlie be sure you get video of your swim. I'm sure we are all going to faint when we see it finished and in the water!

[Azurin Luna]

Oooh! Nice :D Can't wait to see the whole tail together

[Mermaid Wesley]

I may have missed it, but did you say how much pearlex you used?

[PearlieMae]

Since I mix such small batches, I use tiny amounts...but overall, I've done this entire tail and still have lots left...

Jessica might be better able to tell you if you are pouring a whole scale sheet or fluke at once.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I'm not doing it all at once, I'm just wondering how much I need to buy :)


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[PearlieMae]

Ah...I bought one each of the interference colors in green, blue, and violet (.075 oz. each, about $5 each) and a 2 oz. bottle of dry pigment powder in black and purple, less than $10 each, and have barely put a dent in any of them...and the tail is nearly finished.

Example of the bottle can be seen here:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/fabric-and-pearl-ex-paints/jacquard-fabric-paints-pearl-ex-colors-and-mediums/pearl-ex-pigment-colors-and-mediums/pearl-ex-pigment-colors.htm

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thank you so so much! It's really good of you to help us all


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[MermaidKatrina]

I love the transparency! I've always liked transparency in monofins


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[PearlieMae]

Thank you so so much! It's really good of you to help us all


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Hey, no worries! I'm just sharing what I'm learning as I go. It's easy to be intimidated by unusual supplies and techniques, and no matter how much you might read on a subject, sometimes you just have to see someone DOING what you are trying to learn. Warts and all.

While I do have some sculpting, painting, crafting, and design experience, 90% of all this is simply effort and patience. I see so many people in a rush to get their tails done that they don't step back and consider if it's just right. Take your time and it will all come together! :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks pearlie!


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[tina8109]

Hi!)) I have one question) When you remove the silicone form it is necessary to rub Baby powder? After removal of forms to him stick dust. Do you have it?

[PearlieMae]

I don't know, yet. This is my first silicone tail. I think baby powder or cornstarch will be helpful in keeping the rubber from sticking to itself, and it will wash off easily, later. (I will try to use Google to translate this!)

Я не знаю,, но. Это мой первый силиконовый хвост. Я думаю, что детская присыпка или кукурузный крахмал будет полезно в соответствии резину от прилипания к себе, и она будет смыть легко, позже. (Я постараюсь использовать Google, чтобы перевести это!)

[Mertara]

oman.....just read through this entire thread....I don't even have words!!

[PearlieMae]

Hahaha! You could have made a tail in the time it took to read all this!

:rollover:

[Mertara]

omg I know...haha, well I skimmed a lot of it XD Gotta do something when I am feeding the guppy! (and now I am a Senior member yay!, lol)

[PearlieMae]

Yay! Congrats!

[Nicky-Katz]

I don't know, yet. This is my first silicone tail. I think baby powder or cornstarch will be helpful in keeping the rubber from sticking to itself, and it will wash off easily, later. (I will try to use Google to translate this!)

Я не знаю,, но. Это мой первый силиконовый хвост. Я думаю, что детская присыпка или кукурузный крахмал будет полезно в соответствии резину от прилипания к себе, и она будет смыть легко, позже. (Я постараюсь использовать Google, чтобы перевести это!)

Hey, Pearlie... Do you speak Russian?

[PearlieMae]

No, not Russian, but I can navigate Google Translator like a champ! :D

[JessieMermaid]

That is Russian? Looked like alien language to me.....lol

[Nicky-Katz]

@Jessie, yepp, that's Russian!

@Pearlie, you almost got me there! Or... Google got me there. I've never used the translate function as... well... they don't translate good. But this has almost got me fooled. Looks like typical mistakes someone who's not a native speaker does :D

Anyways... lookinf forward to see your finished tail!

[Anahita]

That is Russian? Looked like alien language to me.....lol

Because that doesn't sound xenophobic at all.....

[JessieMermaid]

Because that doesn't sound xenophobic at all.....

I don't mean to be xenophobic at all. I have never seen the written Russian language in my short life. So to me it looked like something people see in a si-fi movie, aka alien language. I apologize if I offended anyone with my lack of knowledge.

[PearlieMae]

For my 1800th post:

Here's a few shots, demolding the second half of the fluke and my side fins... :)
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19989
19990

[MermaidKatrina]

So beautiful (:



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[Mermaid Wesley]

You're so close!

[BayouMermaid]

Really gorgeous. My fiance is kind of obsessed with the iridescent material/silicone fins. I might do some side fins using your technique, if you don't mind.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

:drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool:: drool::drool::drool: :mermaid kiss:

[Merman Arion]

@ Pearlie ;)

When I saw your new photos :

http://static-mb.minutebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/A-really-good-part-during-a-3D-movie.gif

What I did next :

http://img.pandawhale.com/83555-youre-awesome-gif-Jimmy-Fallon-ldWU.gif

What I think of you :

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110627164640/glee/images/2/2f/Tumblr_lnfmds982B1qa2jci.gif

[Anahita]

This is not even fair how awesome this is and how absolutely genius you are.

[Seraphina Suds]

Stunning!

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[PearlieMae]

You all know that I'm making this just for the attention, right? :rollover:

[PearlieMae]

Really gorgeous. My fiance is kind of obsessed with the iridescent material/silicone fins. I might do some side fins using your technique, if you don't mind.

Sure thing! :D

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hey Pearlie, every time I get sad or stressed out regarding my tail-making, I come back here and look through the thread and i get all pumped again and Inspired and I just adore your whole experience and the scales and the fluke and everything. Keep being awesome. You deserve all the loves. :cthulhu::rollover::hail:

[PearlieMae]

Aww! You are so sweet! I'm glad I can instill some confidence in you!

[Mertara]

20000 /dies

[Mermaid Tahia]

Can Silicone Caulk stick to neoprene?

[PearlieMae]

Can Silicone Caulk stick to neoprene?

I have no idea. :google it:

[JessieMermaid]

Wow. Just wow. Stunning! I get so excited about my tail every time I read this thread.

[Mermaid Galene]

Your work is just stunning, Pearlie Mae! Now I absolutely have to make a tail. I used to be a professional puppeteer, so sculpting/casting is pretty second nature to me. What a rewarding project!

[*Celine*]

OMG PEARLIE, you're almost there!!!!! aaaah!!! I better start drawing my design sketch and get it ready to send to you so you can start on my tail, hahaha :-p!! You are amazing!

[PearlieMae]

Well, last night I didn't do JACK. I was a big, lazy mer and didn't lift a fin.

Except, I pinned my side and heels fins onto the body for placement, and tacked the fluke onto the bottom just to get an overall look at the thing. I'm getting five days off over the Easter holiday and I hope to be 90% done with this!!! I pinned the fins fanned out so you can see them and pulled the heel fins forward to the front...

Please ignore my disastrous photo (cellphone) and remember, still a work in progress!

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[Mermiah]

:O :O :O :O
-dead-

Can I just be you for a few hours? Haha I seriously love every part of this tail :rollover:
uggg that fluke :swoon:
the hippy finny things are pretty epic too :D

[CowgirlMermaid]

It's just... just... beautiful
I don't know what to say.
It is an amazing tail!

[JessieMermaid]

I'm so jelly!!!!! Stunning! You are one talented mer!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Woah. Wooaaah. No way you surprised me again. Wow. O.O it looks magical.


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[PearlieMae]

OMG PEARLIE, you're almost there!!!!! aaaah!!! I better start drawing my design sketch and get it ready to send to you so you can start on my tail, hahaha :-p!! You are amazing!

What are you waiting for? ;)

[Seraphina Suds]

Aaaah I just want to touch it!! You've done such an amazing job!

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[PearlieMae]

Quick question for mers with silicone side fins...are they modeled on both sides like a fluke, or molded on the front and flat on the back?

Here's my translucent side fin in the light... (in progress)

20083

[Mermaid Riia]

Aaaaa Pearlie that tail is amazing!!! *drooool* the effort you put into it makes speechless.
In my tail they are molded both sides, they have texture on both sides. Did you plan to do yours both sides or?

[PearlieMae]

Thanks!

I'm thinking about just "painting" the backs with colored silicone. My molds aren't symmetrical, and being translucent, you'll see where they don't line up...same with the fluke, but I'm not as concerned about it. :D

[Mermiah]

NOOO! (I mean do what you want it's your tail) BUT STILL NOOO! The translucent quality is so cool!
Besides fish mutate like CRAZY so fins could grow in an unsymmetrical way ;) in fact subtle asymmetry is very organic and natural :)
(But you probably knew that)

i love everything about your tail (and I'm not the only one ;)) including how realistic (in a fantasy way) the side fins are

[JessieMermaid]

Personally I think they are wonderfully amazingly fintastical just the way they are

[Mermaid Wesley]

I dont think she was going to paint the whole back purple or anything, I think she was just going to do the lines, so it would still be translucent.

[PearlieMae]

I meant paint in the veins on the back! just so they'll match the front, instead of sculpting new masters, making new molds and casting new fin backs!

[PearlieMae]

I dont think she was going to paint the whole back purple or anything, I think she was just going to do the lines, so it would still be translucent.

You type fast!

[Mermaid Wesley]

I think thats a good idea

[Mermaid Wesley]

You type fast!

:sweat drop:
hehe oops

[Mermiah]

Ohhh duh! /).- sorry lol I just did formula calculations for three hours so my brain is a bit fried :$

[PearlieMae]

Just the thought of formula calculations makes my brain fry!

[JessieMermaid]

Mermiah, what in Triton's name are you doing that you have to do formula calculations?

[Mermaid Wesley]

I understand those feels. I'm doing physics right now =_= I have an exam in an hour.

[Mermiah]

:$ -blink blink- recycling stryofoam into the skeleton of my fluke....:$
haha and homework ;) but mostly the first one :$

[*Celine*]

What are you waiting for? ;)

Seriously? that would be freaking awesooooome!!! But I better let you finish this beauty first and maybe give you a break after that because I can imagine that it's a pretty tiring job, even though you love doing it offcourse :p

[Mizuko]

My fins were molded both sides like the fluke- but i made sure they were thin so it wouldn't be too heavy! However, my Ariel tail will have the waist-frill, and I plan on only doing one molded side for that to keep it thin and transparent :) I dont think it really matters, to be honest, as long as the effect is what you want! :D I think your fins are amazing!!

[PearlieMae]

Thanks! The side fins came out nicer than I expected! They are kind of big, but I don't mind, because I'm not doing a dorsal fin. I can't wait to see how they flow!

[PearlieMae]

I'm making a miniature of scales adhered to powermesh, like I will be doing with my tail. Maybe I should have proved this concept before I cast over a thousand scales and built my tail. :doh:
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[Mermaid Wesley]

Well it's a good idea to test it :) I'm sure of there's a problem with this method, you'll figure out another way to make it work.


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[PearlieMae]

I think my scale tail construction test is going to turn into quite the cute mermaid doll!


20151

[Mermaid Wesley]

Adorable :)


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[JessieMermaid]

You can fuse the two test side fins and turn it into the fluke!

[PearlieMae]

You read my mind!

[JessieMermaid]

:D

[PearlieMae]

Here is a short video of the prototype covered in its glossy top coat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCFaXjAcd80&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Mermaid Melanie]

Looks awesome Pearlie ! <3

[PearlieMae]

I was in such a hurry to get the video up, I skipped some steps...
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Pinning scales into place

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Adhering the scales and removing the pins from the cured parts

20165
Peeling it off the form

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Inside out, will be sealed from the inside, too, with a thin layer of silicone

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Ready for the gloss coat!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Awesome! Did you do any stress-tests?


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[PearlieMae]

Not yet, waiting for the top coat to cure. But before I coated it, it seemed pretty sturdy!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Awesome :)


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[JessieMermaid]

*spazzes out then passes out from pure excitement/awe*

[Fifi Tigg]

This tail is going to be 'The Tail' for absolute realism! Just beautiful PearlieMae :mermaid kiss:

[PearlieMae]

I jammed my feet into the test piece and couldn't tear it!

[Aziara]

:phew::dance:

[JessieMermaid]

Yay!!!!!!

[Echidna]

Looks incredibly realistic.

[Mertara]

YES MERMAID DOLLLLLLLSSSSSS