A Silicone Tail Making Adventure with Wesley

[Marinus Mortimer]

Looking great so far Wes! Are you going to smooth down the "bones" or ridges in your fluke or am i the only one obsessing about how smooth every fluke should be? Lol cause on smoothing alone I've spent weeks.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Looking great so far Wes! Are you going to smooth down the "bones" or ridges in your fluke or am i the only one obsessing about how smooth every fluke should be? Lol cause on smoothing alone I've spent weeks.


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You're not the only one lol. I am smoothing endlessly. Weeks sounds about right.

[Marinus Mortimer]

You're not the only one lol. I am smoothing endlessly. Weeks sounds about right.

Glad to hear im not the only one lol, I obsess over it cause I've seen a couple tail makers have very bumpy fluke sculpts which bothers me so much when the fluke catches the light at the right angle it shows and to me it looks horrible when the client spends a few Gs and the detail is not what it should be. Finfolk though they have the finest fluke sculpts I've seen so far...


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[Khaleesi Daenerys]

I love your fluke sculpt it's so beautiful :swoon:

[LeeniusUnicorn]

Lady you can do this!!! Also, I NEED pictures!!!! Just saying... heh

[Mermaid Wesley]

Lol well I'll try to take pics if I have any interesting stuff to share


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[TheSaltySiren]

So excited to see this come together :)

[deepblue]

Crossing my fingers for your fluke mold to behave! If it does, I will have to try to do exactly whatever it is you've done, since both my fluke molds warped in the center so badly it ruined the mold.

[Mermaid Wesley]

So excited to see this come together :)
Thanks! Me too lol!

Crossing my fingers for your fluke mold to behave! If it does, I will have to try to do exactly whatever it is you've done, since both my fluke molds warped in the center so badly it ruined the mold.
Oh no! I'll be using shellshock. Its a little expensive, but it works. It is designed to be layered, so i will be able to mix it in small batches (Lather rinse repeat ad nauseum) Hopefully this fixes the warping issue, since there wont be one big pouring, chemical heating event. And if it doesn't work? Its cool, I'll just explode. NBD.

[deepblue]

I used shellshock on my second attempt. But I didn't layer it, I did the full pour. I can't wait to see how your layering turns out!

[Mermaid Wesley]

I used shellshock on my second attempt. But I didn't layer it, I did the full pour. I can't wait to see how your layering turns out!

Oh! Ok I'll make sure to layer then. Or I'll make my dad. I'm allergic to the uncured stuff. I get itchy rashes :/


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[deepblue]

Okay, no idea why I confused this, but I used Smooth On Smooth Cast 300, not Shell Shock. smh. Anyway, I look forward to seeing your results. I'm still trying to figure out why my mold warped.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Guys the sculpt is almost finished like I'm so close and now I'm like aaaaa it must be perfect!!! But I don't have the sculpting skills to really make it perfect, so idk what I'm doing lol


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[Marinus Mortimer]

OMG im so pumped to se it girl! You can totally do it Wes i didn't have any skills whe i started my tail making journey but ive gaine alot of experience along the way im sure you will make this stunning ! Best of luck [emoji817]❤️[emoji305]


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[LeeniusUnicorn]

Girl there is no such thing as perfect. If you are going for perfect you will never finish, get it nearly there and call it done. Not even nature is perfect, there's flaws, scuff marks, scars, mutations, deformaties, illness, freckles all sorts of crazy things. [emoji178]


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Girl there is no such thing as perfect. If you are going for perfect you will never finish, get it nearly there and call it done. Not even nature is perfect, there's flaws, scuff marks, scars, mutations, deformaties, illness, freckles all sorts of crazy things. [emoji178]


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Thanks hon. You're right of course and I'm probably 1-2 days away from being done. Woah! I have to order more shellshock! I have to cut my monofin! I have to make my purple scales! yikes!



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[Mermaid Wesley]

This baby is ready! Im ordering more shellshock!


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[Marinus Mortimer]

Whoop whoop cant wait to see!


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[Ashton]

Woohoo! *throws confetti*

[Aurelian]

Awesome! 'hands out free cupcakes'

[malinghi]

Can't wait to see it!

[PearlieMae]

Get on with it, already! ;)

[Saelyyia]

Looking forward to seeing it when it is all finished.

[Mermaid Wesley]

While I'm waiting for the shellshock to arrive, I have more time to painstakingly and meticulously smooth out every bump and fingerprint in my sculpt [emoji7]


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[PearlieMae]

Like my mom would say 'if you can't see it from a galloping horse, then leave it.'

[Mermaid Clarity]

Like my mom would say 'if you can't see it from a galloping horse, then leave it.'

I've been telling her this for weeks but I like your grandmother's phrasing. It's so specific.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Like my mom would say 'if you can't see it from a galloping horse, then leave it.'

I've been telling her this for weeks but I like your grandmother's phrasing. It's so specific.


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ShhhhhhHHhhhhhHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Mermaid Wesley]

Molding tomorrow! Will post pics of the mold once i clean it!!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Ok so I didn't have enough shellshock to finish this so I had to order more. ($$$$$ :/)
I'm going to finish pouring late this week after the stuff arrives

Half-mold:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170611/d9b183a6dc212e0f3334ce3105160947.jpg

Bonus helpful Dad:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170611/2e975e1c1c5abe62a5da02c3c4480de7.jpg


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[PearlieMae]

What's that bit of machinery next to Helpful Dad? Looks like a milling machine.

[Mermaid Wesley]

What's that bit of machinery next to Helpful Dad? Looks like a milling machine.

It is! It's helpful dads new toy


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[Mermaid Wesley]

So DESPITE NOT TOUCHING THE SHELLSHOCK AT ALL
I HAVE THE SAME CRAPPY RASH FROM BEFORE ALL OVER MY UPPER BACK. HOW THE HECK??? I must be allergic enough that the fumes cause rashes because somehow my back is rashy and I am grumpy


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[Ashton]

How could that have gotten to your back? That was like the whole reason for helpful dad to be there. Could it have happened while you were over it popping bubbles?
That is crazy how our bodies are all so different- I poured shell shock yesterday as well with no problem.

[PearlieMae]

Then you have to switch to urethane resin! I don't know why you stay with Shell Shock.

https://www.smooth-on.com/products/smooth-cast-326/ or https://www.smooth-on.com/products/smooth-cast-305/

[Mermaid Clarity]

Then you have to switch to urethane resin! I don't know why you stay with Shell Shock.

https://www.smooth-on.com/products/smooth-cast-326/ or https://www.smooth-on.com/products/smooth-cast-305/

Didn't the urethane resin react poorly with the Monster Clay last time?


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[PearlieMae]

Not that I'm aware of...Smooth On doesn't give any indication that there's a problem with it. And they are both Smooth On products.

[Mermaid Clarity]

I had SUUUUUPER bubbly molds with smooth on over monster clay to the point that they were unusable and I had to remake my positives with sculpey. I think because the heat from the reaction was drawing oil out from the clay and making little pockets all over the surface of the scales


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[Mermaid Wesley]

What selkish said. Smoothon didn't have any answers for me either. They basically said " it should work :/"
I think the oil in the clay somehow causes moisture problems. The shell shock works because it cures so fast and doesn't do the resin thing where it heats up the clay and makes bubbles happen. I mean that's my working theory.

Helpful dad is gonna finish the mold for me while I watch from inside the house :(

Also I have the rash on my mouth now too. Fun.

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[Saelyyia]

Hopefully the rash goes away soon. That is so bizarre that even not touching it you are being affected so extremely.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hopefully the rash goes away soon. That is so bizarre that even not touching it you are being affected so extremely.

Thanks :(
I did accidentally get a little on my fingers, thinking back. But I washed it off immediately. There must have been enough residue left even after washing it....
anyways I drove to my local(ish) Reynolds and picked up more shellshock, so helpful dad will finish pouring the mold for me tonight!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

41309
Yeeeaaaahhhhhhhhh!

[deepblue]

WOOHOO! Congrats on a beautiful mold!

[Ashton]

:yay::yay::yay::dance::dance::dance::dance::clap:: clap::clap::clap::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerl eader::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader::chee rleader::cheerleader:

[Anita Mermaid]

I'm really happy for you

LONG TIME NO SEA EH?

[Mermaid Aika]

It looks so good!!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks everybody!

[MerEmma]

Eeeee! I love your fluke design and texture--very fishy <3

[Mermaid Wesley]

Now I just gotta get some more silicone and some pigments back from a certain Selkish ;) I might do an experiment. A sneaky test with dragonskin 30. We will see.


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[malinghi]

How much do you need? I'm going to do some tests with dragonskin 30 as well, so I just ordered a trial size.

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[PearlieMae]

I'm testing 30 tomorrow at work. I'll post what I can!

[Dancing Fish]

I've tried 30...I didn't really like it all that much. And now I'm stuck with a gallon of it! :( Wondering if I can mix it half and half with 10...I keep meaning to call Smooth on to ask them. :)

[PearlieMae]

Yes, you can mix it!

Also, I LOVE THE FLUKES AND FINS IN YOUR SIGNATURE!

[Mermaid Wesley]

@nate I need almost a gallon.

@pearlie you're the queen of my life

@dancing fish what did you use it for? I'm thinking that I'm gonna try to nix the monofin in my tail.


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[Anita Mermaid]

I can't wait to see it complete!

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[Ashton]

Any update?

[Mermaid Wesley]

ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF TAILMAKING HAS PAID OFF!
Hey guys! Long time no see! I’m here because yes, she’s finally done, 4 years later. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/5447f3d02d6775e690ede005baae75d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/e7b46a98fa0fa8852fbd75bb4a4269d7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/d60875da9d2b7b02e87120ab343ceab5.jpg


I’m so happy and love her so much!


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[PearlieMae]

WONDERFUL!!!! WELL DONE! :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::swoon::swoon::swoon::swo on::yay::yay::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::d ance::dance::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::c lap::clap::clap::highfive::highfive::highfive::hig hfive::hug::hug::hug::mermaid kiss::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheer leader::pearl::rainbow::fallover::fallover::fallov er::rollover::rollover:

What's her name?

[Mermaid Holly]

ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF TAILMAKING HAS PAID OFF!
Hey guys! Long time no see! I’m here because yes, she’s finally done, 4 years later. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/5447f3d02d6775e690ede005baae75d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/e7b46a98fa0fa8852fbd75bb4a4269d7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/d60875da9d2b7b02e87120ab343ceab5.jpg


I’m so happy and love her so much!


Sent from my iPhone using MerNetworkHOLY WOW, THAT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!

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[Mermaid Kane]

WOW!! It's incredible!!

[Keiris]

Wesley!! She's BEEEEAAUUTIIFULLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB!! Did you end up going sans monofin?

[MerEmma]

WHOA! Congratulations!! You did it!! That fluke--I love the ridges, and those pastels! Beautiful job!! :D

[Mermaid Wesley]

Wesley!! She's BEEEEAAUUTIIFULLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB!! Did you end up going sans monofin?

No, I decided I needed the monofin, and I’m happy with my choice :)


WONDERFUL!!!! WELL DONE! :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::swoon::swoon::swoon::swo on::yay::yay::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::d ance::dance::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::c lap::clap::clap::highfive::highfive::highfive::hig hfive::hug::hug::hug::mermaid kiss::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader::cheer leader::pearl::rainbow::fallover::fallover::fallov er::rollover::rollover:

What's her name?



She doesn’t have a name yet! I’m thinking a gemstone or flower name...


Also I made a new fabric tail with spoonflower!

Greentail 3.0!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180717/7dd181fb47da758dc327dfb1c3d31c9f.jpg


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[Mermaid Wesley]

And thank you everyone for your praise and for all the encouragement over the years!


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[RhiRhi]

Ahh So amazing! What fabric did you decide on with spoon flower? And do you like the quality. I just ordered there sample book and the sport Lycra is a lot thinner than I was hoping for [emoji17]


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[Bathtub_Octomaid]

You did an absolutely amazing job on this tail. It looks dreamy and also very beautiful <3

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[Mermaid Wesley]

Ahh So amazing! What fabric did you decide on with spoon flower? And do you like the quality. I just ordered there sample book and the sport Lycra is a lot thinner than I was hoping for [emoji17]


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I used the sport Lycra and I really like it. You can’t see my swim bottoms through it. The fabric pattern was a photo that Malinghi took and edited for himself, then he was so kind to send it to me, and I make it green!

Thank you!!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

You did an absolutely amazing job on this tail. It looks dreamy and also very beautiful <3

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Thank you! I love her so much. I’m glad I did this even if it took me years [emoji23]


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[PearlieMae]

ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF TAILMAKING HAS PAID OFF!
Hey guys! Long time no see! I’m here because yes, she’s finally done, 4 years later. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/5447f3d02d6775e690ede005baae75d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/e7b46a98fa0fa8852fbd75bb4a4269d7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180716/d60875da9d2b7b02e87120ab343ceab5.jpg


I’m so happy and love her so much!


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HOLY WOW, THAT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!

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She looks like Flourite! https://www.energymuse.com/fluorite-meaning

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fa/c9/a0/fac9a08cc977e4edd7c0865c71cd34f5.jpg