Top #2; red abalone

[Blaze]

Thanks to the suggestions of several awesome Mers I just purchased two big ole polished red abalone shells just under 7 inches across each in order to make my next mermaid top.
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The color is particularly perfect since my next tail will be flame themed. :D

I'm not sure on the foliage I want though; will have to see how green looks with it when they get here. I heard Raven did a bra with red abalone; does anyone know if there are pictures online?

[ShyMer]

Lovely shells! They're a pretty nice size too.

Have you considered playing with a different color foliage? I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!

[MerEmma]

Raven's top:

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p206x206/603398_406863342703085_849656610_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/386929_406870346035718_165899610_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/551893_406883746034378_1116528594_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/402016_406883802701039_1667637180_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/533048_406939009362185_1418474243_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/405268_406939056028847_209742584_n.jpg

I wonder if she still has it laying around? I haven't seen pictures of it since this photoshoot which is kinda old.

[Blaze]

Lovely shells! They're a pretty nice size too.

Have you considered playing with a different color foliage? I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!

Yep, that's why I said on seeing how it looks with the green. :D Just don't know what options there are out there yet.

[Blaze]

Raven's top:

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p206x206/603398_406863342703085_849656610_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/386929_406870346035718_165899610_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/551893_406883746034378_1116528594_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/402016_406883802701039_1667637180_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/533048_406939009362185_1418474243_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/405268_406939056028847_209742584_n.jpg

I wonder if she still has it laying around? I haven't seen pictures of it since this photoshoot which is kinda old.

Love it! Looks like she painted it though I guess? They don't come that color, right?

[Blaze]

Another question for you all. On my first bra and the net hip scarf I made I tied on the shells and dangly bits with fishing line. Most of the knots came untied and the bits fell off. Thankfully I was able to save most of them but is there a trick to tying the line? A certain knot? Melting the knots a little so they don't open up?

[Echinacea]

This is probably a bit *too* colorful... http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-plants/11442-573905/aquatic-creations-orange-red-hornwort-plant.html

Maybe something more like this, though? http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-plants/11442-502393/tetra-waterwonders-red-ludwigia.html

[Blaze]

This is probably a bit *too* colorful... http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-plants/11442-573905/aquatic-creations-orange-red-hornwort-plant.html

Maybe something more like this, though? http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-plants/11442-502393/tetra-waterwonders-red-ludwigia.html

Meh, I want it to look natural. Will probably take the shells to various stores and see what they look like with various colors.

[Echinacea]

Yep, I was looking for something green with a bit of red, though I am pretty sure the ludwigia *may* actually come naturally in red. lol I'd love to be a bug on the wall when you go, though... 'Crazy lady with shells in aisle 9...' ;)

[Winged Mermaid]

Oceana purchased the top from Raven last year at MerPalooza. I got to see it in person several times and got to look at it up close. The shells aren't painted, they actually are that color. Oceana decided to paint over the shells (blue, but it was acrylic paint over resin costing so it came off, so then she painted it purple) but a she still uses it.

[Winged Mermaid]

Another question for you all. On my first bra and the net hip scarf I made I tied on the shells and dangly bits with fishing line. Most of the knots came untied and the bits fell off. Thankfully I was able to save most of them but is there a trick to tying the line? A certain knot? Melting the knots a little so they don't open up?

You need to tighten each knot with two pairs of pliers, one for each end of the line. If you tie multiple knots, which I would recommend, tighten each single knot with the pliers as you go. For extra security, you can put a little dab of super glue on the knot. I use lots of fishing line for a lot of my accessories, and I have yet to have a problem with anything coming off with this method. I just use 2-3 simple cross-under-pull knots (not sure what the name for it is :P).

[Blaze]

You need to tighten each knot with two pairs of pliers, one for each end of the line. If you tie multiple knots, which I would recommend, tighten each single knot with the pliers as you go. For extra security, you can put a little dab of super glue on the knot. I use lots of fishing line for a lot of my accessories, and I have yet to have a problem with anything coming off with this method. I just use 2-3 simple cross-under-pull knots (not sure what the name for it is :P).

Perfect! Thank you!

And on the color of the abalone... so begins my quest to find full red ones! :p

[Jadestone]

Oooh, can't wait to see how this turns out!! I loved Iona's abalone top, and I'd consider making my own if they weren't so expensive x_x Maybe someday!

[Blaze]

Oooh, can't wait to see how this turns out!! I loved Iona's abalone top, and I'd consider making my own if they weren't so expensive x_x Maybe someday!

The abalone only cost me about $20 a piece; not really bad at all! I can't wait for them to get to me though; will post my review on the quality & suck when I can!

[Ashton]

Blaze- how did you polish those abbies (abalone) so nicely? I have a collection from free diving and I would love for them to turn out like yours. Any tips?

[WillowAnne]

Does anyone know how wide Raven's abalone pieces are? I've been looking at some pieces, but I've been really hesitant to buy them because I am a bit--erm--busty (D cup). I plan on using a TON of foilage with the abalone, but I don't want the pieces to look tiny, and I don't know how big the pieces should be! yikes. I've even tried to hold a ruler up to my chest to "estimate" sizes, but to no avail.

[Winged Mermaid]

I'm a D cup, and 6 inch ones covered mine well with a bit of foliage :) I wouldn't advise below that. I've seen Ravens red abalone top up close and they were also about that size, they are just more round than oval (mine are more oval). Good luck!

[WillowAnne]

Ah, perfect! Thanks!

[Ariel-Starfish]

So pretty!

[carmelasmith]

wow this looks sweet!

[Sheira Seastar]

I love the color of those shells!

Waterlilly, Mermaid of the Lakes