Jessica's Second Dragonskin Tail

[Jessica]

Thanks waikiki :) my hair grows really fast!

mizuko, how thick is your fluke? If it's any thicker than mine you better start doing some leg lifts! The size alone is going to be a lot to handle!

Aziara,

;) i love the pink/white/teal/green combo the dark emerald green is my favorite! :)

thanks esther :)

a few more!

[Mermaid Esther]

Your hair is mermaid like and mermaid beautiful (whatever that means)

[Mermaid Esther]

Is she buying the top? Oh wait that was yours right?

[Mermaid Esther]

You are totally going to be forever 21

[JamesGunnels]

holy shit...this is beautiful.

[Blondie]

Sooo sleek! I love this!! Congrats on your hard work!

[Mermaid Cecelia]

Ohmygoodness Jessica it's so preeeetty :) Eva's gonna be one stylin mer with that tail!

[Fifi Tigg]

Beautiful <3

[Merman Arion]

Well, Jessica... Dear Jessica... What should i do with you? ;)

There was a day when i was looking at you and you were to me like a mersister because we share something that we both like : mermaiding.
And now you appear to me like a beautiful girl, really pretty in this tail that you made with amazing efforts and determination, and i think the biggest compliment i can give you is that you are so attractive you make me want to hold you and kiss you gently and yet so far, I'm gay!
At least, i thought LOL :p

I'm really impressed by your skills. Just like Jazz, PearlieMae and others, you have grown quite a talent and i'm looking forward to see you growing even more, maybe as a tailmaker. You have so much potential. :)

Hugs from France.

Arion

[jazz2453]

Looks very awesome! Everything looks great! Can't wait to watch the progress on all your future tails xD

[Toxotes]

Wow! You are such a beautiful mermaid.
And your tail is just awesome!

[Mermaid Oshun]

Usually people are blessed with either brains or beauty. It is just not fair for you to have both

[PearlieMae]

Usually people are blessed with either brains or beauty. It is just not fair for you to have both

Yeah! What she said!

[Jessica]

Oh wow! Thanks so much for all your sweet comments everyone! You guys are so supportive and awesome! ;)

Arion,

you're such a sweetheart! :mermaid kiss:

Golden pearl (and pearlie!) I was an awkward duckling until I had kids. Scrawny as can be and all arms and legs! Hair and makeup go a long way! :)

esther,

This was my top I made to match my first tail originally, but I repainted it to match Eva's for the pictures! I mailed it to her with her tail since it matches her tail now :) it's the wrong size, but I'm hoping it will fit! I can't wait to see her in her tail!



so I just got back from the shipping store! Eva's tail has been shipped! I'm so happy and excited for her to get her tail, but at the same time I feel a little sad too :sad eyes:. It's just so beautiful and hard to part with! I really love how it turned out and I know every inch, every scale of the tail! ;) I'm so glad it's going to such a good home!

Time to start a new tail! If anyone is interested, let me know! :) I'm making myself a new one and I would like to have two to work on at once (there's a lot of wasted time waiting for silicone to cure!) I like to stay busy and my goal is to make the next tail even better than this one :)

heres the tail all ready to go!

[Theobromine]

This is incredible and you are so inspiring! I've been wanting to try making my own silicone tail for sooo long now, and you've already made two amazing ones! I better get with the program!

[Jessica]

This is incredible and you are so inspiring! I've been wanting to try making my own silicone tail for sooo long now, and you've already made two amazing ones! I better get with the program!

You should make your own tail! It's a great project and so much fun :) I do recommend that you start with a small project first just to get the hang of things (I wish I had...I wouldn't have run into so many issues with my first tail if I did a little project first!) a scale top or even just scale wristbands are a great place to start! :)

[Theobromine]

Oh, I will! I've just been dealing with a lot lately (no space/moving/looking for new job and being broke at the moment). But I decided that all I will ask for for Christmas is tailmaking supplies. And my mom is happy to support my mermaid habit so hooray! I've been showing her your progress pics going "See?? This is what I want to do!! See, she can do it, so can I!"

[Jessica]

Oh, I will! I've just been dealing with a lot lately (no space/moving/looking for new job and being broke at the moment). But I decided that all I will ask for for Christmas is tailmaking supplies. And my mom is happy to support my mermaid habit so hooray! I've been showing her your progress pics going "See?? This is what I want to do!! See, she can do it, so can I!"

You know I thought the same thing about Lorelei! I saw what she could do and I thought...hmmm. I bet I can too! :) good luck! I'm happy to help if you have any questions! :)

[Theobromine]

Haha yeah, I think Lorelei has been one of the biggest inspirations to everyone! But back then when I was watching her thread I was living in an even tinier space, with literally no room to work in (and two bonkers cats who would ruin it if I tried).

What kind of workspace do you have? You may have posted it earlier but I may have missed it or forgotten.

[Jessica]

I work in my dining room. It's a DISASTER!! It even spews over into the kitchen when I need extra table space! My kids wind up eating dinner using the chairs for tables when I take over the kitchen. It's just so messy...so many materials and so much stuff!

[Theobromine]

Haha, this is usually what ends up happening with all my other craft projects. I'm amazed my family hasn't killed me yet. I'm just really worried about having mold materials and silicone needing to cure with all these cats around. I don't want them to muck it up and I definitely wouldn't want it to make them sick, either. I'm pretty paranoid when it comes to the safety of my kitty children.

[Jessica]

You really, really don't want cats around your workspace! You would have cat hair stuck everywhere! Silicone is really sticky uncured and as you already know everything clings to cured silicone! I get lint and tiny specks of dirt stuck everywhere on my tail. Yet another reason I'm glad my kitty lives outside ;) I would be terrified that a cat would damage a tail with their claws or it would eat some silicone. It's skin safe, but if a cat ate a big chunk of it, it could cause a blockage in their intestinal tract. I doubt the body could break it down.

[Theobromine]

Yes, exactly. Although we definitely don't keep our cats outside because that's not safe either. So...I don't actually know where I would do this. I may just have to do the sculpting indoors and then wait for better weather so I can do all the molding and stuff outside...sigh. Oh well. Better safe than sorry.

[Jessica]

Yes, exactly. Although we definitely don't keep our cats outside because that's not safe either. So...I don't actually know where I would do this. I may just have to do the sculpting indoors and then wait for better weather so I can do all the molding and stuff outside...sigh. Oh well. Better safe than sorry.

Its not always safe for cats outside, but they really love it! Here's a picture of my kitty, Fuzzball. < silly name I know :) she loves being outside

[Jessica]

Here are a few more pictures from yesterday :)

[Mizuko]

stop being so beautiful! (no no, just kidding, please dont! hehe!)
I am still so blown away at how amazing your tails are! HOW IS THIS YOUR SECOND ONE?! lol!! I am envious of your tail making skills!! XD

Also, Fuzzball is adorable!! XD

[Jadestone]

AHHHHHHH IT'S BEAUTIFUL!! I just love seeing the tailmaking process,from materials to that magical moment it's put on!! I can't wait to see Eva in it too! Also, your hair looks super pretty in those shots, mine is the WORST at holding shapes haha. I'm gonna try to get it to be wavy for a bit for a shoot this weekend but even that means french braids overnight.

Ahhh it just makes me so happy to see how amazing your first attempts are turning out :) I don't have the time/money for such a project myself right now, I guess I'm living vicariously through your tailmaking ^^

I would so order one from you so we could REALLY be twins if I could afford it! Although I'm still definitely committed to making my own someday, because I just love making things too much ;) But I can't wait to see what you put out next!

[Mermaid Esther]

OMG it looked like you had no face there

[Mermaid Esther]

You are the beautifulest and most talented mermaid I ever known

[Mermaid Esther]

By the way I messaged and emailed you

[Darcythemermaid]

Wow just wow!!! So talented and so amazing!!

[Jessica]

Thanks so much you guys!

Esther, my dad said the same thing! I was facing the waterfall! It does look weird, but I love the way the tail looks so I posted it anyway :) my hair has a mind of its own!

jade,

i need to make you a tail mer twin! It would be such an awesome project! Don't forget you get a family discount! :)

thanks so much Mizuko! I know your tail will turn out just as good (hopefully even better!)

[Jessica]

I hope you guys aren't sick of seeing pictures yet! I have a few more:

[Mizuko]

Can never get sick of looking at pretty pictures! ^_^ hehe!

[Mermaid Julz]

post all the pics you want... this tail is great!.... oh, and the mer in it ain't half bad either.... lol.

[Mermaid Esther]

We will all never be, trust me

[teeth4u]

I love the second one out of the last three you posted so much! The sun is so bright and it looks like you're laying out to dry. I can't believe you survived :O_o: how cold was it? I'm a little nervous for when I'm outside in the tail.

[Jessica]

I love the second one out of the last three you posted so much! The sun is so bright and it looks like you're laying out to dry. I can't believe you survived :O_o: how cold was it? I'm a little nervous for when I'm outside in the tail.

It was cold in the mountains! In the 40's I think. Although that might not seem that cold to you! I was fine for awhile. Putting the tail on was a struggle and all the silicone kept me pretty warm! Once I was sitting in the water for a few minutes I started to get so cold! My legs, feet, hands...entire lower body went numb! I think it was worth it though! :) it was just so much fun to take pictures in your tail!

[Mer_Adella]

They are beautiful pictures Jessica....your a lucky girl Eva

[Jessica]

Thanks adella :)

[Mermaid Esther]

Hi Jessica! When will you start your tail

[Kumori Kitsune]

So pretty so jelly great job!

[Theobromine]

Your kitty is sooooo cute! Also, I second what everyone else says about your hair. Mine is about that same length but it will never hold a wave like that...

[MermaidStormy]

Wow !! I am mind blown
only your second tail it truly is beautiful you should be very proud of yourself :D

[Azurin Luna]

Wow, very very very nice! I don't look for a few days and then it's suddenly done!
I love the colors :D

[Jessica]

Thanks so much everyone :) it's so exciting!! Eva's tail will be delivered tomorrow!! I'm dying to see pictures of her in her new tail!! :dance:

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Loving it! You have gotten so good girl!

And I just realized you guys have been talking about me again. :P Thanks for all the kinds words. -hugs-

[Jessica]

Thanks Lorelei! This one is SO much better than my first one!

We always have nice stuff to say about you! You were the original at home silicone "tail blazer"! ;) you've inspired us all :)

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Awwww, thanks!!

[mermaidm]

oh my goshhh your HAIR IS SO AWESOME... and that TAIL!! it so pretty! :jawdrop:

[Jessica]

Thanks mermaidm!

Guess what everyone?! Eva got her tail today!!!!! She's such a beautiful mermaid! It feels like Christmas :) I'm so excited for her ;)

[teeth4u]

I did and I'm going swimming tonight! I'm sooo excited and I really can't thank Jessica enough for working with me! She is so sweet and has such a talent. The tail is fantastic and fits really well. Throughout the process, she updated me almost every day which was totally awesome. I got to see every step of my tail being made and she made sure it was exactly what I wanted. She is pretty much every mermaid's dream tail-maker. I couldn't have asked for anything better. It's pretty incredible that she is a mom and an amazing tail maker at the same time. Despite the process being time consuming and tedious, she finished my tail so fast! I can't wait to get some pictures and video in the tail to show everyone! I'll hopefully have some video up later tonight or tomorrow and then I'm taking more pictures on Saturday!

:rotfl: I'm pretty sure I'm the happiest mermaid alive right now!

[Jessica]

^^I'm pretty sure I'm the happiest first time tail maker EVER! ;) I'm seriously dying to see the video later!

[Aziara]

Congratulations all around! *hands out champagne and throws confetti* :dance:

[PearlieMae]

F***ING YAY!!!!!!!!!!

[teeth4u]

Unfortunately there is a slight delay and there won't be any pictures or video until tomorrow now :sad eyes:

[Jessica]

^^dying with anticipation! I can't wait to see pictures of you in the water! ;)

[teeth4u]

Here is a video I made! I had such a good time swimming and I can't wait to go again. Pictures are coming soon! We're still working on editing them and picking out the good ones.


http://youtu.be/IAyLSqRQsro

[Mermaid Julz]

thats awesome! You look like you are having so much fun!!!

[teeth4u]

Pictures!

18706

18707

18708

[Mermaid Julz]

great pics :) :yay:

[Blondie]

God that tail even looks even more fantastic underwater!

[Ashton]

that looks amazing! I love the color on your skin!!!

[teeth4u]

Thanks guys! Jessica did such an amazing job with the tail and I loved swimming in it. My eyes hurt so bad afterwards from the chlorine but it was totally worth it :rotfl:

[Jessica]

:jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop: You are such a beautiful mermaid!!!! The video is just awesome! I'm so excited!!! It's just amazing to see how great you look in your tail!! The top looks great on you too and it matches the tail really well. I'm so glad it fit! ;)

[PearlieMae]

Such a gorgeous mermaid! Jessica, you did a marvelous job, and Eva, you look like you were born in that tail!

[Jessica]

Thanks pearlie! I'm so happy with how it turned out! It's not perfect, but I'm getting there! :) this one is 100x better than mine! It was such a fun project!

[Mizuko]

ahhhhhhhhh *screams* <3
It looks so perfect under water! And Eva you are so pretty, the tail suits you so well <3

[halesloveswhales]

Wow, that is SO gorgeous! I am super impressed, and I love how shiny/wet the fluke looks. Do you get good propulsion underwater?

[Mer_Adella]

#1 the top matches...PERFECTLY
#2 your skin color matches the pale pink PERFECTLY its hard to tell where the tail ends and your stomach/back begins
#3 you were born with a tail right? cus you look so natural swimming in it

[teeth4u]

Thank you! I'm not the strongest monofin swimmer so I probably don't go as fast as I could. I definitely felt like I was gliding through the water pretty easily and there wasn't any drag. There is a finis wave in there so I got a good amount of propulsion.

[Mermaid Adriel]

OMG, it makes an amazing effect underwater *.* I can't believe!

[Jessica]

I've been playing with different effects, and I really love black and white pictures! Here are some of Eva!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Beauty!!!!!!

[Trident True]

PERFECT this turned out extreamly well. what i love about it is, it looks so professional and you can't even see the monofin under the flipper, you've done a excellent job hiding it. the Colours look fab underwater.

[Jessica]

A few more pictures!

[Mermaid Esther]

Dang, you are truly beautiful!

[LaNyah]

I did some test painting and had some trouble. It was so thick that it was difficult to use the brush, yet took so long to set up that it would run into areas I didn't want.

How are you doing it?
Do you thin it? Freeze before painting? brush?

Argh!

[Jessica]

I did some test painting and had some trouble. It was so thick that it was difficult to use the brush, yet took so long to set up that it would run into areas I didn't want.

How are you doing it?
Do you thin it? Freeze before painting? brush?

Argh!

What temp are you storing and using your silicone at? If it's too cold it can thicken. You shouldn't have thick silicone. I freeze already mixed silicone to thicken it for when I'm doing seams or just for when I have leftovers and don't want it to go to waste. I don't thin mine with anything...it's runny enough! Try painting very thin coats if it runs into places you don't want.

I think your problem is likely temperature/environment related, or you might have old silicone. What's the manufacture date on the side of the box? Are you working outside or storing your buckets in a cold room?

[LaNyah]

Ah, where it is stored may be it. It's kept in a back work room that can get chilly.

I'll try again with it warmer.

I want to add an accent color to each scale but it just runs off before it sets up. :/

[Jessica]

Ah, where it is stored may be it. It's kept in a back work room that can get chilly.

I'll try again with it warmer.

I want to add an accent color to each scale but it just runs off before it sets up. :/

if it runs off, you're putting too much on. You have to do really thin layers or it will run in between your scales and you'll lose the nice scale shape. I use really small fan shaped brushes and they work really well. It's going to take 2-3 thin layers to get the color you want unless you add a lot of pigment!

[mermaidm]

Eva, your tail is beautiful and you look amazing swimming in it!!! Amazing job, Jessica!

[Mermaid Kelda]

Ack, Eva, you look so graceful! Congrats to both you and Jessica, I'm in awe! :hail:

[Mermaid_Dominique]

I love the tail and top! It looks gorgeous! Congrats to you both, you did an amazing job! :D

[spottedcatfish]

I love your work, Jessica. Wonderful job! I do have some questions though. I'm sorry if you've answered them in the posts before. First is shell shock the only product that is used for creating the molds for DragonSkin silicone? and Second: What the heck is power mesh and when do you apply that to the silicone??

[Jessica]

I love your work, Jessica. Wonderful job! I do have some questions though. I'm sorry if you've answered them in the posts before. First is shell shock the only product that is used for creating the molds for DragonSkin silicone? and Second: What the heck is power mesh??

No problem! I'm always happy to answer any questions :)

there are several mold materials suitable for dragonskin. I like shell shock, but you can also use fiberglass, silicone itself(you must use a release agent!) pearlie uses micro mark.....you can call smooth on too.....I'm sure there's more! Shell shock was the first one I tried and it worked well so I stuck with it! It is temperature sensitive though....if you check the first few pages of this thread I did a long post about it that will help explain all about it!

Powermesh is is just bathing suit lining. It's very thin, stretchy and great for adding strength to silicone :) you can buy it at fabric stores like Joanns :)

[spottedcatfish]

Thanks. When do you apply the power mesh to the silicone?

[PearlieMae]

To create your molds, you can use anything that doesn't have sulphur in it - it inhibits the silicone from curing and you will end up with a huge, expensive, useless mess. I use clay I get from Micro Mark (full disclosure, it's where I work), and I think we originally got it from smooth on, but now we get it from another supplier, it's brand name is Plastilina. You can get it in the sculpture department of art supply stores. It does not indicate on the package that it is silicone safe, and if you get a different kind of oil based modeling clay, always run a small compatibility test first.

As for the power mesh, Jessica, don't you lay it into the silicone when you pour your scale sheet?

[Ariel-Starfish]

Jessica, did u get my message? :) Got some questions for u!

[Atlantisblue]

Absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had looks like you *lol*

you said you're a mother? :o You look so young!