A Silicone Tail Making Adventure with Wesley

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hi everybody! I got my monster clay in the mail today! Do you know what that means? It means I am officially making my tail! Here is my current design. 19846
I also want pectoral fins like in this one, but I forgot to add them.
19847
I think I am leaning towards purple, but it is likely to change a few times before i actually start working with pigment.
:yay::yay::yay:
Okay so step one: Begin the sculpt. since my scales will be quicker, I am starting with the fluke. HOWEVER. I tried to make a full-scale pattern for the fluke and i realized that i have NO idea how big it should be! I thought i would go ahead and ask everyone the dimensions of their flukes. Mostly I am curious as to how wide they are. Any help would be appreciated!

[Kishiko]

Mine is 24 x 28 if I remember right and it's huuuuugggeeeee

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thank you :) I settled on just over 2 ft wide and how ever tall that makes it idk.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

I'm working on some pectoral fins to get the hang of the clay. Here they are! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/hujehuva.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/tyqajymu.jpg

You like? I'm happy with the shape, but I have to do some more smoothing and stuff. :) it feels so good to get started.


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[Deepsea merman]

[QUOTE = MerHopefully; 120752] Eu estou trabalhando em algumas nadadeiras peitorais para pegar o jeito da argila. Aqui estão eles! Você gosta? Estou feliz com a forma, mas eu tenho que fazer um pouco mais de alisamento e outras coisas. isso é tão bom para começar. Enviado do meu shellphone usando Tapatalk [/ QUOTE]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/hujehuva.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/05/tyqajymu.jpg

:)


​They are so cute! I think you don't need straightening fins, they are smooth enough, and so it seems more "natural" hahahahahaha

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thank you for saying that, it makes me even happier with them!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Progress!! I decided on size and drew out my fluke pattern! My dad had a sheet of lexan in the garage but it's a little too small so I guess I'll use it for making supports and stuff. What do you all think?
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/za3avare.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/a3uge3ut.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/sy2udyse.jpg


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh and I forgot to mention (as a note to self) my lexan sheet needs to be at least 22 wide by 24 tall.


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[AniaR]

props to anyone who gets the reference
http://www.poptranshumanism.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/butlertron.gif

[Ashton]

OMG CLONE HIGH!

[Nicoseamus]

I love your design

[Mermaid Wesley]

Awww you guys are sweet. I usually just get Wesley snipes or Elvis Wesley. XD on a tail-related note: SCULPTING IS HARD AND IT HURTS. I had to scrap it after I had been working for a good 30 minutes which was sad, but it was way too thick and I was going to run out of clay. I decided to start with the thinner parts to get them as thin and smooth as I want. Here's what I have so far. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/uve7a5u5.jpg


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[Mermaid Caspiana]

I love the fluke! Can't wait to see this pan out! Good Luck! :D

[Starbubbles]

It looks so cool! cant wait to see your progress! :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks, guys :) I'm headed to the Home Depot right now to get my lexan sheet! Yay!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

They didn't have the size I need :(


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/yhurevyr.jpg

Aaand my hands are gonna fall off. Time for bed I think. I'm proud of the progress though.


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[Anahita]

You're using Monster Maker's clay, right? If your hands are hurting, maybe try softening the clay in the microwave a bit to make it easier to sculpt (VERY CAREFULLY though, I might add, because it can also melt too much and that can burn your hands seriously)

[Mermaid Wesley]

I figured that out too late. I think the damage was done early in the day and now that I know that I can microwave it it's much easier. I'd been using a blowdryer and it worked but not as well.


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[OceanRose]

Awesome sculpt Wesley! I was unprepared for the awesomeness!!!
You're doing great I'm excited to see more :-)

[Deepsea merman]

I really love your fluke :eyepop: and your sculpting, are so cute, I can´t wait to see more of you

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks everyone. Today is going to be busy so I won't get to do much today. I nee to buy some plaster I think.... Or shell shock? Does anyone know the pros/cons?


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[Anahita]

Shell-shock or fiberglass resin with a fiberglass cloth backing.

Plaster is really heavy and I've recently seen a lot of mers who made a mold with it and had to either do extensive repair work to it, or scrap it and start over again because of cracks. The weight of it in comparison to the strength of the material makes it a bit weak. Plastics or resins, on the other hand, are much lighter and more durable, and less likely to break when you try to demold.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ok thank you very much, Anahita. I will think about that.


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[Anahita]

No problem. I would just hate to see you have to re-do all your work because of a preventable problem

[Mermaid Wesley]

I was originally wanting to use plaster because that way I can sand out any imperfections in the fluke mold. But I think it would be better to just smooth the clay really well. I'm having problems with getting it smooth but I'll get better at it with some work, I'm sure


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[OceanRose]

Hey Wesley I've heard (a number of times) about artists using 100% alcohol to smooth their sculptures
http://americanfinearts.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/how-to-smooth-your-clay-for-a-clean-finish/ (http://americanfinearts.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/how-to-smooth-your-clay-for-a-clean-finish/)


Brushing it on, and the wetness it causes allows the clay to be smoothed easier, and then it evaporates.

Oh but .... coincidence, I was just reading this morning that shellshock is able to be sanded (I read that on the Smooth-On website info on Shellshock page)

[OceanRose]

It seems like it would be better to get your clay perfect rather than have to sand all those nooks and crannys later (but I have done neither so this is just my opinion and I hope I am helping not confusing)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh thanks so much :) I was just worried that I'll be unable to get it 100% smooth and I notice things like that a lot. I don't mind if it isn't shiny smooth but I wouldn't want fingerprints or ridges


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[Mermaid Wesley]

OH MY GOSH GUYs. My almost uncle works for body glove an he just informed me that they're signing mermaid linden and he's met her and he's thinking that he might be able to have me meet her!!!!! THAT WOUL BE SO COOL. I told him that I lm making a silicone tail an he was like "oh really we're working on signing this girl with body glove. Her name is mermaid ummm... linden. " and I was like "I know her! Well I don't KNOW her but I know about her." And then he was like, "maybe I can arrange for you to meet. Were planning a trip with her soon" etcetera. He said she's very nice and energetic and unique and I'm not getting my hopes up but how cool would that be!!


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[MermaidBrandie]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this fluke. Can't wait to see it finished!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Has anyone figured a good way to smooth monster clay?


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[Anahita]

Sorry, the only way I do it really well is just heating it up. You can maybe use a hot water-warmed plaster spatula thing? (like a wood or plastic handled one with a metal blade)

[Mermaid Wesley]

good suggestions, thanks :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Unfortunately, I'm thinking that my fluke is too small. I might have to start over. Also, I'm low on clay and the ridges are not right. They need to be rounded on top but totally flat on the bottom. I might be able to salvage some of my sculpt but I'm thinking I need to start over. I'm considering using some sort of flexible tubing cut in half long ways and then covering that in clay. Oh and my dad is all committed to this now so there is a chance that he will have his buddy at work 3d print my fluke instead. That would be.... Amazing. But I get the feeling that it would be really pricey and idk if I'm willing to spend that much. Either way, I'm not gonna quit until I'm happy with it. I'm committed to this and I'm going to do it right. Ok another question: silicone to lexan. Do I glue it? How?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Rubber tubing is starting to look promising


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[Anahita]

Just make sure the rubber is silicone compatible. If it's not, and it touches the mold, it could contaminate it for use with the silicone later.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I was planning on covering it in a thin layer of clay and/or plastic wrap or cloth. Latex seems to be common for this stuff so I will be very careful. I think it will make my fluke much more polished and neat.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-Corp-1-2-in-x-50-ft-Poly-Drip-Tubing-B35/100175565
This stuff might work, and its really cheap. I think I'm going to buy some on my way home. Worst case scenario, I dont use it and I lose like 7 bucks.... or maybe.. I'll wait until tomorrow. I wanna troubleshoot with dad first.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay. New plan. My dad and I are going to wok on it. He's great and supportive even though he wishes I would be into softball or fishing or building cars and not mermaid tails. :3 were going to roll out a flat price of clay thats as thick as the lowest level. And then another slab too. We will use a stencil-y thing to cut out the components and then stack them. I'll post pictures as I go to explain better. Then I'll smooth out the corners and stuff. I think I need more clay, unfortunately. Oh also can I ask again, how does one glue silicone to lexan? Do we know?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

I ordered another box of monster clay so when that arrives I'll be able to start my fluke over. *sigh* it's a bummer. Oh and I had a thought. How much of a market do you think exists for basic silicone tails? What I mean is like the mertailor basic tail but actually well made and maybe even a little prettier. I personally dislike the wavy edge of his tails. Do you think (I I find that working with silicone isn't too tough) I could get some of the people who are risking their money on mertailor basics or (as I've just noticed) mermaids r us tails? It breaks my heart when someone's tail doesn't work. If I were to sell tails, I wouldn't do anything fancy. Solid colors, no extra fins, no custom flukes or paint jobs. Just tails that work and fit and look nice. Any thoughts on this?


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[ShyMer]

Once you finish your tail, maybe see if you could get one or two people to buy a tail from you- then you can see if tailmaking is something you'll be able to handle. You might find that you like making tails for yourself but hate making for other people. You might find that you like making for other people, but only want to do it every once in a while (as opposed to having a dozen orders going at once all the time.)

[Mermaid Wesley]

I agree very much. It's just a thought. I've noticed how poorly made basic tails are lately, merbellas are the exception as far as I can see. And I've been throwing around the idea for a while. Hmmm.... Well mostly Ive got mermaid on the brain but I can't start my new fluke sculpt till this weekend. :(


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[Mermaid Wesley]

ShyMer, Whoops this got posted twice XD


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[ShyMer]

Silly me, all fixed :P

[Anahita]

I think the reason why people like basic tails is because they're cheap. That's why people buy them over full silicone ones, they're hoping to get something as good as a realistic tail without the price. Unfortunately, it seems you get what you pay for - the exception looks to be Merbella's, who produce very high-quality basics. On that note, about prices and Merbella's to put some perspective on what it looks like that market is like now, they lowered their performance tail prices, but no one noticed because she raised her basic prices (to reflect the labor put into them) and everyone got in a little tizzy about it. So yeah, if you're thinking of making basics, people will expect them to be $1000 or less, but they'll likely want them to be really good, like, almost full-silicone quality.

I think that's why other people who have made silicone tails and then gone on to sell them just do full silicone.

Could be entirely wrong though. I just feel like when I read things, that the way the sound to me. But I could be WAY off. :P

[Mermaid Wesley]

I definitely get that. (This might sound cocky but) I would kindof aim to replace the mertailor basic tail in terms of what people are looking to buy. I wouldn't charge much more than his if any. In my opinion, the basic mertailors are a huge gamble. You might get a nice tail or you might get something unusable. I don't think the price is worth the risk. He makes a substantial proft on those and.... I can't help but think that I could do it better. (I haven't even worked with silicone yet but I still think that. That says something.) One thing I know for sure is I would never send out a tail that didn't look nice. :thumbdown:

[Anahita]

(This might sound cocky but) I would kindof aim to replace the mertailor basic tail in terms of what people are looking to buy.

Bahaha! :highfive: I love that!

And yeah, actually, real, platinum cure silicone is not that difficult to work with. You just have to make sure you avoid sulfur-tainted products, latex, and humidity when working with it. SoCal does have a slightly better advantage to Florida over the latter there, because we're not as humid as Florida, so we have more workable time for the product - especially given our current drought.

[Mermaid Wesley]

:lol: Lol California's weather even wants me to win! Lmao. Well, it's just a nice thought. I might not even end up making more than my own tail, but if I could figure a cost and time effective way to do basic partial silicone tails, I would be happy.

[Anahita]

I've got my fingers crossed for you! It could be quite lucrative.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks :)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay, so I've been messing with that neptunes daughter thingie and I did a thing:
19992
This is a bit pinker than i would like, but this is basically the color scheme I am thinking about. A magenta/maroon with peach/pink underbelly. What do you think?

[AnnaAbyss]

Beautiful design and fluke sculpture! I learned something really valuable from this: The way you did your fluke sculpture onto lexan with the design. It's a brilliant idea! I've seen it done before but I got caught up with other aspects of how to make a tail and completely forgot about it. xD I'll use this idea for when I FINALLY get around to making my tail.
Also, thank you and GOOD LUCK! <333

[Mermaid Wesley]

Unfortunately, I have no progress to report, other than the fact that 2 of the 5 people I've mentioned Mermaiding to know another mermaid. Lol. I'm waiting for dad to help me with making my fluke mold and it's my sisters birthday tomorrow and then Easter. Bleh.


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[jazz2453]

Great job! You're fluke is really unique!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks so much :)


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[Mermaid Viktoria]

Great job with all your progress! Even if you have to scrap a bit and keep going, it can get pretty frustrating, but it looks like you have a drive to keep on going. Good for you! :)
I can't wait to see more progress pictures, it's looking quite promising already!

[Mermaid Wesley]

I certainly have the drive at this point :) I'm really excited about it.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay! Mini-update! I will re-start my fluke sculpt this weekend! I will also probably get the lexan and order some polyzap and zoomers. TO AMAZON

[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/26/8y6ana7u.jpg
I've got my zoomers!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/28/ury5utug.jpg
Hours of square by square transcribing and I'm finally done!! I huuurtt. But I'm so glad I finished it. Next step is to trace it onto another page. Then I'll cut out all the layers and then I'll get the clay. Maybe next weekend or maybe the one after that. *yawn*


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Well. I thought I would have more done last weekend, but alas, life. I'm currently working on scale designs and textures. I'll post some pictures when I get home. I'm also working on belt designs and TOPS. oh my god TOPS. WHY MUST I BE SO TOP-HEAVY?? -_- I love silicone seaweed tops so maybe I'll try to do one if I have any silicone left over. I'll have to get creative. Maybe something "salvaged" like a corset or an Ariel-sail-dress style top. Hmmm. Yeah maybe. Ideas? Thoughts? DD boobs don't like seashells much.



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[Mermaid Wesley]

Scales and textures http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/uvanupav.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/a9ere7eh.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/7evygynu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/apyve8e3.jpg
I think these are sideways but oh well. What do you think?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Wow the quality on these is dreadful. I'll try to get better quality ones later.

EDIT: better quality here- http://witchyroses.tumblr.com/post/84297243029/scale-texture-which-texture-do-you-like-best-i

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[JessieMermaid]

Lovely! Why not use a combination of all 3

[Aziara]

Make 5 or so of each and line them up, you might get a better idea of which one you prefer that way.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Make 5 or so of each and line them up, you might get a better idea of which one you prefer that way.

Good idea I'll try that tonight


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/yhadu7a4.jpg
I stacked up the one I like best and I think it looks good. Yay! I might change it still.
Edit: oh yeah and the sheet of "polycarbonate" that my dad had lying around turned out to be a sheet of acrylic and I was bending it and it shattered and there were plastic shards flying everywhere and that's why you don't make a monofin out of acrylic. Crisis averted!


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[JessieMermaid]

Lovely!

[PearlieMae]

Wow! You're lucky you didn't get hurt!

Remember, if you are going over the top of your scales with a sealing layer of dragonskin, the texture may be lost as the silicone settles in...you can dry-brush Pearl Ex onto the high spots with a fan brush before you do the final coat and it will highlight the texture. :D

[Mermaid Wesley]

I know! It certainly made me jump and was loud and stuff but I could have really cut myself. Or worse, I could have put it on a monofin and lost bits of sharp plastic in a pool! Eek! Thanks for the tips! I don't mind it smoothing out a little, but I didn't want it to look like rubber and I think a little texture will help with that :) I'm gonna need to experiment!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

I have a question about resin!! I know it heats up as it cures, but I am using monster makers clay and it does melt. Are there any resins that don't get too hot for monster makers? I can use sculpy for the scales but if I want to use resin for the fluke it needs to be cooler


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[PearlieMae]

I used an oil based clay a lot softer than monster clay, and all the detail held in my casts. When in doubt, make a small prototype and test it. I think it will work fine, otherwise you would've heard a lot of complaints and warnings already.

:D

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Yay! Now get started so we can see!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay thanks :) and I will, I just need to buy supplies and get through finals week


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Hm. So I am hardcore procrastinating my studying. I seem to have hit a tailmaking plateau. What is my next step? I think I need to brainstorm so forgive this post!

Okay so i have a design for the scales. I am going to be using the lovely PearlieMae's technique of one scale at a time, so I need to get some resin for that. I'll have to order online since Michaels only sells in small quantities. I also need to get to work on my fluke sculpt 2.0. I altered the pattern to be better than it was and i am pretty happy about it. but before i can finalize the pattern i need my lexan fin..... so thats the next step, isn't it? I need some lexan. I think I got paid this weekend so I will be buying the lexan and resin soon. okie dokie. and once i finish my monofin i will be making the duct tape dummy of my legs so i also need to buy duct tape. then powermesh. then lastly silicone. eek!

[PearlieMae]

Try packing tape instead of duct tape...it's lighter and cheaper! I got rolls at the dollar store. I just bought a couple yards of powermesh at Joann's Fabrics at $10.99 a yard, but it was on sale at 40% off! Keep an eye out for the coupons, too! And straight pins! Walmart has them cheapest, get three packages, minimum: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dritz-Quilting-Quilter-s-Pins-500pk/17337803

As for resin, I use this one: http://www.smooth-on.com/Urethane-Plastic-a/c5_1120_1206/index.html - you'll need at least 2 trial sizes (about 50 bucks, total), most of that will go for the fluke.

With the Lexan, decide how big you want your fluke first! :D

[Aziara]

You can download the Joann's app, and pull up every possible coupon when you get to the checkout! Also Hobby Lobby and Michaels have a constant 40% off any full price item coupon on their apps.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I love the Jo-Anne's app! And pearlie: I have the size for the most part, I just have to figure out the ankles with the lexan before I can finalize my fluke pattern :) Did the packing tape stick ok? Sometimes cheap tape is a pain in the butt.


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[PearlieMae]

You're right...I had some cheap stuff that wouldn't come off the roll. I forgot about that....it's been a while! I used some packing tape from Home Depot...still cheaper than duct tape!

I got the 36" x 48" piece of Lexan and went 34ish x 24", and used some of the cutoff scraps to reinforce it. It's a BIG fluke. Make sure that the part under your feet goes at least 3/4 the length of your foot. I made mine just shy of full length so the heel edge doesn't cut into the silicone.

[Mermaid Wesley]

That's what I plan to do. I think all I'm worried about is like making the foot panel too narrow and having it break at my feet. (Edited. My Internet spazzed out)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

And as I predicted, I've changed my mind about color for the millionth time, I like my original idea of burgandyish but I always love the look of blue tails and ughhhhh whyyyyy is this so haaard graaahhhhh. Okay. So I'm still gonna think about it. Yeah.


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[Aziara]

Lol! I know how you feel. I've drawn up so many color schemes, and I love them all, I wish I had millions of $$$ and could just make every single one.

[Mermaid Wesley]

206672066820669


COLOR SCHEMES!!! And now for NEW COLORS

2067020671206722067320674

Ugh I'm starting to like teal!

[Kishiko]

The teal and maroon is amazing! Especially because you wanted to do maroon originally, so combine the two! (:

[Ashe]

Ok. I'm honestly in love with the fact that when you joined you had chosen your username to symbolize that you didn't consider yourself a mer yet, but hopefully you will be. Yeah, I remember that from two years ago near the time I joined. And now look at you! Taking on a silicone tail and aiming to sell tails, even trying to go further than Mertailor! That's really cool haha :) Anyways, good luck!! It's looking like its going to be awesome :)

[MerEmma]

WOW. I can't believe you've been here as long as I have, MerHopefully (not long!). I didn't realize that. wow, time flies. holy crap.

[Ashe]

^^ I know, right? It's been about two years since we've joined O_o

[MerEmma]

It feels like...ten months, tops. :/

(granted if we want to get specific with math it's not a full two years yet...but still longer than I thought)

[Mermaid Wesley]

hehehe Yeah I do need to change my name soon don't I? :D As soon as I realized that being a mermaid was a possibility I knew that I wanted a silicone tail but never thought it would happen and now I'm making it happen and am very excited. As far as tailmaking goes, Who knows? I've gone through the jewelry-making phase and almost started selling that, polymer clay little characters and almost sold those, stuffed animals, jewelry again, etc. I never went through with them because I really wasn't good enough compared to everyone out there. Mermaid tails is a whole new ballgame. (As far as passing up Mertailor, I don't really think I could pass him up. Hes a great artist and all I meant earlier was that it would be great if I could offer an alternative to his basic tails, (which he doesn't seem to put too much effort into). I wanna make mermaid dreams come true too! <3

[Kishiko]

Would you do full silicone or neoprene lined? I mean as your mertailor alternate?

[Mermaid Wesley]

Probably neoprene lined. They're cheaper to make and lighter so yeah. Idk. I would have to experiment.

[Ashe]

Oh, and just wondering, what kind of tail do you currently have? The one in your avatar?

[Mermaid Wesley]

Spandex. That's right. I'm just dreaming big right now. lol

[Kishiko]

I know mermaid raven just raised her basic prices because she said they are harder to make and seam together and everything

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yeah, I've gotta experiment a lot. It's just a goal for the future. :)

[Kishiko]

I think it's an awesome goal! I hope you become the best neoprene silicone tail maker out there!

I think you should try to find a way to include extra fins in neosil (abbreviation? Hmm I like it) tails because other tail makers don't offer that

[Mermaid Wesley]

*brain starts cranking away* maybe i will do the thing...

[Kishiko]

I guarantee that would be a drawing point for customers. (HA custoMERS XD) with merbellas the closest you can get is a hybrid tail

[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/qedume5a.jpg
Think this is a big enough sheet? Idk. We'll see XD


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[Mermaid Wesley]

When it comes to mermaid flukes, bigger is better ;) http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/emy6uqag.jpg


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[Kishiko]

Looking awesome!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Alrighty! Tomorrow I will be cutting my lexan and possibly attaching the zoomers. If I finish while it's still warm out, I'll test it in my friends pool and hopefully record a little video for you guys so you can see how it flows :) I'm probably going to add supports but I'm going to try a single sheet out first and add if I decide i need it. :)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

oops the lexan is still uncut :( we (dad and I) are concerned about putting too much pressure on the part that's right at my toes. My feet won't be inside the fluke, but just above it, just like pro tails. (I think they're all that way) the only thing is I'm using lexan and not a competitor or other monofin. I'm concerned with breaking it. Hmmmm. *worries* also since I have such a split fluke, it's not much monofin (as far as propulsion goes) and I'm a bit worried about that too.... But hey, it's my first attempt.


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[PearlieMae]

I did mine so half my foot is in the fluke...I used PolyZap to glue a piece of the scrap into the foot area to reinforce it and have been swimming with - and abusing terribly - since February. I stand on it and bang it around TRYING to break it, and not even a fracture! And I've drilled holes in potentially weak areas and nothing! And when I say abusing, I mean really trying to ruin it!

I say GO FOR IT!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yay :) thanks. I think I will


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[Mermaid Wesley]

It's lexan cutting day! My dad helped me out by cutting my lexan with his jigsaw thingy http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/24/qeperyha.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/24/9eheheby.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/24/2ura9u8u.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/24/u4aby8a9.jpg
next up is sanding the edges!


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[PearlieMae]

Wheeeeeee!

[ShyMer]

I'm late to add to the discussion, but my monofin is like yours and pearlie's. I have my feet pretty far back and it's fine. I also have a second layer to reinforce the most active area, and I almost wish I had done a third for more power.
Also that's awesome that your dad was willing to help you! It looks fantastic so far!

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[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks guys! I'm probably going to do another layer for stiffening because I'm not much of a fan of overly flows flukes, I think it'll all work out though :)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/24/a3y2u8u8.jpg

All done with sanding the edges! I'm going to be shortening the foot panel a bit because I goofed when measuring everything out and I am able to scoot them forward more. My parents living room is a mess XD sorry mom!


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[Azurin Luna]

Looks pretty :) good luck with the rest

Better stay on your mom's good side ;)

[Mermaid Wesley]

21192
what do you all think of my latest design? The fins will be tipped in a purple but it will be majority teal with a blended waist. Hey... do you all thing I could mix my foundation into the silicone to pigment it just right? That would be really cool! though my tummy and face are not the same color lol. I could buy some to color-match my tummy. I'm also thinking about tipping the scales that end at the fluke with purple...

[MerEmma]

Really pretty fins! That design is really simple but pretty. :D

[Kishiko]

Ooh that's so pretty! I love it! (You know until you make a new design :lol:)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Lol you know it ;)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

*groan* no progress. My dad is making me wait for him. He's a crazy perfectionist on projects like this. AND he is insisting on paying for the silicone! (not complaining) the only thing is i have to wait for him to finish another thing for my sister before he has any time to help me out :( On the up side, I have officially fallen in love with my most recent teal/purple design and I am getting ready to order pigments!! I just have to go to the bank first and deposit my tax return :) Oh and I have a fantastic idea in the works for a mermaid accessory ;) I may be selling them so I will keep the idea to myself for now. <3 Thanks for the patience everyone! in the meantime have this.
21565

[Mermaid_Sarah]

My dad is a perfectionist too!!! But unfortunately he's not paying for my silicone :( I love all your designs!:)

[PearlieMae]

<3 Thanks for the patience everyone! in the meantime have this.
21565

Mmmm catfish!

[JessieMermaid]

Lol cute. That is one patient kitty

[Mermaid Wesley]

Mine isn't so patient smh


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[Mermaid Wesley]

I ordered pigments! 3 teal, 3 purples, a glittery one and a white. yay!

[Mermaid Wesley]

The pigment has arrived!!! The blackstar blue and green are really dark but I think with some mixing they will be perfect. The coral reef blue is GORGEOUS and the zirconium cluster is just beautiful ultra super fine glitter :D I am in love with the amethyst purple and the other purples are pretty too. And then I just got a white to make lighter colored scales in the front. For my blended waist I think I'm doing to use mineral makeup foundation powder. Anyways here! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/12/dytaheba.jpg
Edit: the top left is coral reef blue. the one below is blackstar blue. Next to it is black star green. Above is zirconium cluster. The small white is extra bright. Below that is pearl violet. The one below that is shimmer grape pop. The one on the far right is amethyst. They didn't show in the pic

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[Mermaid Wesley]

While I'm waiting on mold making supplies I'm revamping my fabric tail and making a top for the pacific coast mermaid festival! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/13/6uzyvu9y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/13/nyduru5y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/13/5e2ese7y.jpgthis is painstaking! I have to do 2 coats for each scale. My hand is hurting pretty bad so I'm taking a break. *wipes sweat*


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/13/bujemu6e.jpg
Done for tonight! Ow my hands.....


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[Kishiko]

What did you use to paint it gurl???

[Mermaid Wesley]

It's tulip fabric paint :)


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[Kishiko]

Oh sweet! Dont forget to stretch the fabric as you paint it(: Cause otherwise itll crack

[Mermaid Wesley]

I got it covered :) thanks! I had no idea how hard this was gonna be on my joints though. OW. Hopefully I don't get called into work tomorrow so I can paint a good chunk of it. I do suspect that I'm going to need at least one more bottle of this paint, too. And I'll have to buy new e6000 too since mine has apparently vanished off the face of the earth. Super glad I got a job! And only 4 days until I'm 20! For my birthday on monday my dad is taking me to north Hollywood for silicone and shell shock! Yay for living in LA!


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[Kishiko]

Awesome!! I really want to paint mine, but on the other hand I also want to start work on a painted neoprene/neoprin tail(Undecided) So like idk lol. I feel like I should spend soooo much time painting something im not going to bu using much longer... Oh and I am definitely sending you birthday stuff!! ;) I cant wait until you have your moulding stuff, this is gonna be awesome

[PearlieMae]

Yay for local SFX houses! (NYC is nearby and I have the same kind of access)

When you are painting, try to loosen your grip on the paintbrush...chances are, you are afraid of messing it up and tend to hold it too tight! Remember to breathe! ;)

(One more post before you hit 900!)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yay for local SFX houses! (NYC is nearby and I have the same kind of access)

When you are painting, try to loosen your grip on the paintbrush...chances are, you are afraid of messing it up and tend to hold it too tight! Remember to breathe! ;)

(One more post before you hit 900!)

Yay! 900 posts!!! Love everyone and thanks for the support!!!!

On the topic of painting, I actually don't have a paintbrush..... Yeah. I'm using the squeezey tip of the paint bottle and it's a pain in the butt. I thought I had a paintbrush so I didn't buy any oops.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Awesome!! I really want to paint mine, but on the other hand I also want to start work on a painted neoprene/neoprin tail(Undecided) So like idk lol. I feel like I should spend soooo much time painting something im not going to bu using much longer... Oh and I am definitely sending you birthday stuff!! ;) I cant wait until you have your moulding stuff, this is gonna be awesome

Sending me birthday stuff!?
Ahhhhhhhh! uwu

Also I think your current tail is gorgeous the way it is you don't need to paint it. Especially if you're going to make a neoprene/in tail soonish.


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[Kishiko]

Sending me birthday stuff!?
Ahhhhhhhh! uwu

Also I think your current tail is gorgeous the way it is you don't need to paint it. Especially if you're going to make a neoprene/in tail soonish.


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WEll of course :D
Ill have to just text you later and get your address (:

And thats kind of what I was thinking too, but it wont be until at least mid august before I start my neoprene one (going to Japan through all of July) but I really want to put some vinyl fringe on my fluke and on the back as a dorsal so I can put in a zipper, because you know how hard my tail is to put on lol

[Mermaid Caspiana]

It's looking good! Can't wait to see the finished product! I really liked your latest design, I like the idea of tipping the scales (no pun intended *wink*) but I think maroon would be cool, since that's you original color and the teal and maroon design was beautiful. :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

I can't wait either! I'm so antsy! In the past few hours I've done a bunch more scales on my tail and made a paper dratini! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/bu8u3ydu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/14/usy8esan.jpg tomorrow I'll be making a top and painting more scales and then I'll probably have to go into work. Idk I can't sit still!


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[Kishiko]

Happy birthday!(: ^.^

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks girlie! I got my silicone and resin at Reynolds advanced materials and thank you daddy!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/17/eju5y3em.jpg
Yay!!!


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[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

I am curious, is it easier to paint the scales on before you sew or after?

[Mermaid Wesley]

I'm not sure. I'm doing after because I got a lot of use out of the tail before I decided to paint it. I guess it would be easier before because you wouldn't have to worry about stretching, but you would have seams where the scales are disrupted


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[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

True, will have to think about this one hehe. Thank you!

[Mermaid Wesley]

I know that I'm derailing my own thread but progress:


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[PearlieMae]

Ooooooh! Pretty!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Last update pic on this till I'm all done. This thread has inherited my ADHD oops! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/19/y9ybenyv.jpg
One side done!

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[Mermaid Wesley]

I finished painting all the scales!! I also had my first day of work today! Yay! It went well and my feet hurt. Anyways for the fabric tail I'm going to paint little lines down the fluke and then I'm gonna make my lily pad top and accessories for my fresh water mer getup. I'll use pebbles and things instead of seashells. I plan on being a full-on ocean mermaid later on, but for now this is what I can do and I'm going to roll with it :)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Ugghh so I tried to make a mold of some of my scales and my liquid plastic.... It no work. It bubbled and the clay scales floated up to the top of the plastic. I cut out the clay for reuse.. Here's the thing. Any tips? I'm thinking it was too cold? Idkhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/eveta6yb.jpg


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Anybody know anything about this stuff? I could use some help... It's smooth cast 322


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[PearlieMae]

is it humid there? It looks like you have water in your resin, that's what's making it foam. You aren't using water based clay, are you? Gotta use oil based clay like plastilina.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Not really humid here but it was late afternoon so maybe it was a little humid... I'm using monster clay which is oil based.... Hmph.


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[PearlieMae]

If it was rainy day humid it might make a difference, not just a slightly humid afternoon. Did you get your resin from Smooth On? If you got out from a store, it might be old. It has a short shelf life. Generally moisture is the culprit for foaming like that.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hm ok I got it from a smooth on seller


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[Trident True]

try plaster, it brings out detail quiet will. thats what i used to make my scales. or try a urethane from smooth on.

[SIF]

[QUOTE=Mermaid Wesley;121004]OH MY GOSH GUYs. My almost uncle works for body glove an he just informed me that they're signing mermaid linden and he's met her and he's thinking that he might be able to have me meet her!!!!! THAT WOUL BE SO COOL. I told him that I lm making a silicone tail an he was like "oh really we're working on signing this girl with body glove. Her name is mermaid ummm... linden. " and I was like "I know her! Well I don't KNOW her but I know about her." And then he was like, "maybe I can arrange for you to meet. Were planning a trip with her soon" etcetera. He said she's very nice and energetic and unique and I'm not getting my hopes up but how cool would that be!!

Definately would be the coolest moment in a young lifetime! Good thing Mers live long lives..... I'm pretty sure if this were presented to me I'd pass out, or have a panic attack, or asthma attack or even ALL THREE.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I'm using plaster for my fluke but I will be reusing the scale molds many many times so I won't be able to use plaster. And the smooth on rep suggested this so I'm going to stick with it. I just need to figure out why it isn't curing properly.


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[Mermaid Melanie]

Shame about the molds chick I hope you can get it to work for you - I feel your pain my shell shock mold is all foam scales stuck in it - taking forever to clean out !


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Yeah, I'm gonna try another small mold today and then I'll call the store if it won't work


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[PearlieMae]

Hm ok I got it from a smooth on seller

So you got it from a store that sells Smooth On products, not shipped FROM Smooth On?

It's probably old, then. I would return it and order from the company directly.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yeah. Sad face over here. The store has great service and everything too.im gonna call then because http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/03/utyhu6y5.jpg


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Basically it ends up foamy by the time I'm done with it which is annoying as heck. It's not capturing details well either. Hmph. I'm driving all the way out to Reynolds advanced materials to see what's up. *sigh*


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Ok so they're going to test it and give me a call back tomorrow. I'll head back over after work tomorrow to pick up my materials and then I'll be back at tailmaking soon. Ugh. Maybe I'll get some plaster too because I'll be using it on my fluke.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

So I went back to the mature and they gave me a hunk of clay to use for my scales! They felt bad that I'm a no0b and they told me it would work. So it's cuing now! The problem was the moisture that comes from monster clay when it melts btw. Here it is! Fins crossed! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/10/egujata2.jpg


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[Mermaid Wesley]

OuO it's curing http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/10/6uduneme.jpg


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[PearlieMae]

Kind of neat when it changes color right in front of you, huh?

Moisture in the Monster Clay? I wouldn't have thought there was any water in it at all! Glad you are moving forward again!

[Mermaid Wesley]

It doesn't even have to be water apparently. Just the oil screwed it up >:(


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[Arella]

And you used shell shock and it did that?

[Mermaid Wesley]

No it wasn't shell shock it was smooth cast 322, a smoothon resin.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Ugh so it didn't fully cure this time! There aren't bubbles but ugh! Maybe my ratios were a little off or something.... :(


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/11/9ujuhame.jpg
Looks fine
Wait what??
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/11/6unujy9u.jpg
Nonsense


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[PearlieMae]

Leave it flat for a day or two... it may harden a bit more. My casts are flexible for a while when I first make them (I like 325, the ColorCast one), then they harden really nicely.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hm okay I'll try it :) it's really gummy though... I'm gonna do another test tonight when I'm off work and then I'll call the store since they said I could call with questions *shrug* either way I'm not driving all the way back there again. I'll use plaster if these don't work.


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[PearlieMae]

Gummy, huh?

Rats. I really want this to work for you!

[Seatan]

Do call them! The people at my Reynolds are obsessively helpful. "Pictures from before the mistakes, please!" They told me, lol. Aka, photograph the process the. Send them the pics if something goes wrong. I was also ordered that if I have ANY questions at ALL to call call call. And also told to follow directions by the letter. I quote: "If it says to turn toward the North and stand on one foot, then DO it!" Hopefully the people at yours will be just as willing to help. :)

Btw, I am really surprised about the Monster clay thing. Most people I know (including cosplayers who make armor) use Monster for their originals and have no problems. I wonder if you had a bad batch.

[Seatan]

Wesley, I took my little experiment to Reynolds and they did some experimenting of their own. Apparently the stuff starts to bubble when the clay gets hot. If it was moisture, the bubbles would be outside, not inside. They think the clay releases gases as it heats up and gets soft. I remember Pearlie mentioned once her clay is soft enough to mold without heating. So no worries, you were doing it right! It happened to my Reynolds guys too! Now our stores know better! I am using Shell Shock instead also. :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks! I'm going to try sculpey next since I have it on hand


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[PearlieMae]

If you use uncured Sculpey, the heat from the resin curing will partially cure your sculpey and ruin it. That's a pretty expensive proposition. You might want to cure it first, that way if your resin mold fails, you still have your mold master. Just don't have too many undercuts or you won't be able to get your master out of the resin.

[Seatan]

Wesley if you wanna try the resin with Monster again, I added a pinch of Pearl Ex pigment to mine (I was TRYING to get the bubbles because I think it looks like a sea fan and I wanted one in purple!) and they were majorly reduced. As in you could see them under the surface but the mold was totally smooth and fine for pouring silicone into. I have NO IDEA why it made a difference, but it did! So you MAY be able to save your Monster clay.

With no pigment:

22556

With a pinch of pigment:

22557

[Mermaid Wesley]

WHAT EVEN lol this is nonsense and pearlie yeah I was gonna try both ways and im not too worried about wasting money on sculpy because I have tons of it that I almost never use of course it would be preferable to not have to make like 20separate scales with new materials every time so I'm gonna try baked sculpy first. I have some molds release and I'm keeping my fingers crosses on that one :)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

OKAY so I did some more tests and even with the acrylic spray stuff, my molds were all bubbley :( I may have done it wrong because as far as I can tell, the spray did NOTHING AT ALL. ugh. regardless im currently baking some little sculpey scales, they are probably the second to the smallest ones I will be using. I did look it up and it appears that sculpy does contain sulfer though. i'm not too worried about it, since I have this acrylic spray to seal it before I pour my mold, and since it will be hardened. I will test the sculpey scales tomorrow when its warm. :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

heres some pics of my dumb molds
2265122652

[Seatan]

Still bubbly? Or are they smooth? I can't tell from the pic. What did you end up casting them in?

I got a sheet of mine done, but it's got so many little pieces of clay stuck in the grooves! The guys at Reynolds suggested I do a plaster slush cast to get it out. Next time I will be trying acrylic spray in hopes the clay won't get stuck all up in there!

22653

By the way: The guys at my Reynolds are going to run some tests with Monster and Colormatch to see if they can figure out WHY the Monster makes it bubble. So hopefully they will report their findings to Smooth On!

[Mermaid Wesley]

no its still bubbley :( I'm trying with sculpey tomorrow when its warm enough. I'm glad they're testing it.

[Mermaid Wesley]

After a failed test and some frustrated tears I've given up on this resin. It doesn't work with my sculpey or my monster makers or my sculptex. Ugh. Ok so I'm buying shellshock. *rage quit*


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[OceanRose]

Omg that sucks so bad :-(
If it's a problem with the resin, I hope you get your money back.

[Seatan]

Aw, I'm sorry, that REALLY sucks. Shell shock is really good--I tested it when I was having problems with the Monster clay. It is kind of annoying to mix because it is 4:1 instead of 1:1, but it is nice and thick, so smoother to pour. Plus since your scales seem to be smooth rather than all groovy-fied like mine (as in lots of grooves to pick clay out of!), it may be the better choice because it gave me a much smoother texture than resin. I just picked the resin because I'm trying to make the scales hyper-realistic and want all those little scratches and stuff to show up. Don't be sad--you will soon be flying! This is just a pit stop!

Question: Why did it not work with the Sculpey? What happened?

[Mermaid Wesley]

It bubbles really badly with the sculpy and then turned orange? Some chemical nonsense. I thought shellshock had to be brushed on first to capture detail?


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[Seatan]

You can pour it or brush it. If there's a ton of fine detail then you want to drizzle it in those areas, but the guys at Reynolds told me to let it seep in rather than brush it--the brushing movement actually captures less detail than letting it seep in because it gets wiped away. The first layer should be more like you dropping small blobs down onto it by shaking a brush and letting it spread and seep, then when you are ready for the next layer you can actually brush it on.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh ok well I only have a little texture anyways so cool :)


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[PearlieMae]

Damn! I wish my resin advice worked for you!

Do you have an old ice cube tray? Plastic or rubber, either one, mix up a little resin and pour it into a cube sit and let it cure. If it bubbles there, demand a refund. Otherwise, it's reacting with your clays. I'm sorry you were having so many problems with it! :(

[Mermaid Wesley]

It's the clays, the parts of the mold that aren't touching the clay don't have bubbles at all. Merp. :/


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[Mermaid Wesley]

My shell shock shipped out. I'll be using the shell shock for a few thin coats and then pouring the old resin over the top once it cures. That way my molds will be sturdy and I won't waste shell shock. I can't wait to start pulling silicone scales!


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[PearlieMae]

Yay! I'm happy to hear you are making progress!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Let us wait another half hour http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/27/ede5ygug.jpg :3


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/27/majyraqa.jpg
PRAISE THE SHELL SHOCK GODS A PERFECT MOLD


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[Mermaid Wesley]

I'm going to be making a strip of large scales tomorrow and I will be able to work with silicone by next weekend!!!!!!!


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[Seatan]

Fantastic!!!!!! I am sooooo glad you found something for your molds! So excited to see them in silicone! I am going to start molding my fluke Monday, God help me. Scales aren't nearly so scary!!!

how big are your large scales?

[Mermaid Wesley]

My largest ones are about 2 inches long and at the widest point about an inch and a half


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/31/pe3u2aqu.jpg
The scales I'll be shellshocking tomorrow :)

[PearlieMae]

Excellent! You might want to make a mold of more than five at a time...it'll take forever to mold all the scales you need! I would sculpt at least a dozen of each size, and you can bring your mold walls in really close so your molds aren't huge.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I think I will. I kindof want to test resin on top of shellshock though. I'm pretty sure it will work but I thought it would be safer to try it on a smaller chunk so I don't waste materials if it goes wrong

[PearlieMae]

ALWAYS test on scrap! If I had every dollar I wasted just diving in, I'd be...well...not so freaking broke all the time! Hahaha!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Lol good point. I've already proven that several times over

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ughhhh dumb move over here. I left my clay out in the sun and it got so soft that when I tried to brush on the shellshock, the clay was gooey and got the imprint of the brush in it -_- I'm going to see how they turn out. Maybe I'll use these for "scar" scales or something. Oh well. Next time I'll put he clay in the freezer before hand

[Mermaid Wesley]

At dinner, my uncle comes up to me and says "hey remember that mermaid Linden girl that I'm working with for bodyglove?" I was like "um absolutely" he says "well I showed her some pictures of you in your tail the other day" I just sortof spat out "were they good pictures at least??!" I was one parts starstruck two parts embarassed.

[Kishiko]

Thats awesome lol!

[Imogen Finnly]

I remember when you were making your first spandex tail! Now silicone!!! You're moving up in this ocean!! So proud of you Wes!

formerly jayy

[Mermaid Wesley]

Aww thanks

[Trident True]

Im happy that things are coming together for you. its very frustrating when you want to do something and when you do something doesnt turn out quiet right. ive had this happen to me many, many times. that's why im still going on my project. if you've got plaster laying around why not do a practice with that. it works well for me. hope all is well.

[Seatan]

Hey Wesley, how is your tail going? Work (ugh the start of the school year SUCKS) has stopped my progress TOTALLY but I plan to start sculpting my fluke this weekend. Wondering if you're still working on yours too!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Work and school are absolutely stopping me right now. It's just too much you know?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Hey all you merfolks out there. If I don't update this thread THIS WEEKEND with something productive please yell at me / shame me publicly. If I don't get my fins in gear there's no way I'm going to finish by merfest! I'm dead tired but I need to work on this. Now that I have shellshock I know I CAN do it, I'm just too tired to motivate myself lately. I have a fabric tail commission that I'm working on and I have no problem keeping up with that, but since my deadline is so far off still, I'm procrastinating.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Wow I'm a lazy fish. If I don't get going NOW I'm afraid my silicone will go bad. If it hasn't already....... Sad mermaid. Ok so I'm gonna make a scale. Like this weekend. I have one good mold. So help me cod I will have a silicone scale by Monday o.O


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[CowgirlMermaid]

Even if it is just one scale, maybe you find your motivation to finish the whole thing while doing that one scale.
Good luck!

[Cerulean]

Do it Wes!!! Make some test scales either today or tomorrow like you were planning. I know someone that let silicone or some product sit around until it expired and they were really sad panda, save yourself the sadness.

It also may or may not be slightly selfish on my part to encourage you.....because Id love to see your work in the new medium since I love the way your fabric one looks :rollover:

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yeah. I'll do iiittt. Tomorrow morning. I have all the supplies and I'mma do iiittt


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[Mermaid Aika]

Yeah. I'll do iiittt. Tomorrow morning. I have all the supplies and I'mma do iiittt


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Can't wait!:)

[Usagi]

If you ever need me, you know I'm nearby! Haha
if I get the silicone for Christmas, I might have to call upon you :P

[Mermaid Wesley]

So I was unrealistically optimistic and since I have FINALS THIS COMING WEEK. So I'm not tailmaking lol


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[Froth]

wow! I didn't know that you would be doing silicone! that's awesome!! now I REALLY want to work with you! and I have worked with latex/resin/silicone before. sometimes a bit difficult :\

[Mermaid Wesley]

It is such a pain ughhhhhh. I suppose it gets easier with practice


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[Cerulean]

I completely understand the time crunch of impossibleness Wes! Just graduated earlier this year with my BA, buuuuuuuuuut because I was an international student I was absolutely required to have a full course schedule my entire time at school whether I needed the credits or not. That meant in my last two years when others only had 1-3 classes I still had 5 that I was responsible for.

So stressful! You can do it though!!! Just think that you only have x amount of hours to study or prepare before the test but virtually unlimited hours afterwards to forget about it and study for the next one or relax. I hope youre able to get everything done and do well~ You cracked the lid on the stuff, thats pretty much what you wanted to do anyhow. Hopefully it wasnt expired and you can still play with it over winter break

[Mermaid Wesley]

O.o guys. guys. I hate everything. everything is stuff that i hate. I am very seriously considering making a SEQUIN tail instead of a silicone tail, but with silicone fins. I could stick pretty closely to my original design.... oh gosh i don't know! I love the sequin tails so much, but i love silicone tails too! but silicone is harder to work with i think.... but sequins will take forever to sew on! Argh. I want a nice tail really badly, but I'm so dang indecisive.

[PearlieMae]

Make and use a silicone tail. Don't panic over the design, just do something you like, not necessarily your dream tail. Use it to swim in while you work on your sequin tail. By the time you're done, you'll have the perfect tail in mind and the skills to make it!

There's no rush!

Also, KAriel did a sequin tail and silicone fluke...the one she had Merfest. It was stunning!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yeah I did see Kariel's! Lovely. But you're right. I should finish what I started. I can have 2 nice tails eventually... plus I've never had a dream tail really. everything is pretty and I will be happy with whatever I end up with. And let me just say how glad I am to have my "beater" fabric tail. Otherwise I would be twice as stressed. OK. so as soon as I get a break from school I'll kick ass on the silicone tail. and once i'm done ill think about sequins *nod*

[Ashton]

I would agree with Pearlie, make a silicone tail and in your free time or when you cant sleep at night work on your sequin tail. They will mean so much more to you if you make them yourself. We are our own worse critic.
Just start out with something with a simple color scheme- 3 or so colors.

[Mermaid Wesley]

One can never have too many tails right?


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[Seraphina Suds]

Oh gosh, I adore the look of silicone fins with a sequin body @0@ I hope you do it eventually!

[Ashton]

One can never have too many tails right?


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Not at all!
I made my first tail a while ago, and it was nice, but it wasn't what I wanted it to be. So after a while I felt like I should try again. And my 2nd attempt is much better than my first!!

[Mermaid Wesley]

A fabric tail a silicone tail and a sequin tail.... I like that idea.


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[PearlieMae]

I saw this on Etsy and thought of you... :rollover:

28844

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ah yes. That reminds me of me too <3


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Guess what I am doing!!! (its sculpting)

[Rett]

Yay! I really want to see your tail completed! ;)

[Ashton]

:cheerleader:

[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay so I'm still in school with a schedule and workload that makes Tartarus seem like a fun vacation. But I have managed to do a mini revamp on the color scheme.
Viola.
29126
I was coloring it just teal with purple fin tips like it was before, and I didn't love it. D: So I started adding purple near the bottom and NOW I love the way it looks :D. Of course with Pearlie's method, I can't make it blend like the drawing, and I don't mean to. At the bottom of the tail I will start adding purple tipped scales that get more purple than teal as they get closer to the fluke. (make sense?) And it's faint in the pic, but I'm considering doing glow pigments along the lateral line on the tail and sides of the fluke. I'm not sure. I still have to color a drawing for the back of the tail, but it will be very similar, with the purple reaching up the center, instead of dipping down, and with the center scales being darker than the edges. The fluke will be the same I think. Anyways, I'm not going to blend the waist for now because I'm not sure I want it. The cool thing about this tail is I can add scales up the waist after, if I am so inclined. So I'm still gonna do this! one year later. lol

[Dancing Fish]

LOVE that fluke design!

[PearlieMae]

29129

:D

[Yulia]

Love that design Pearlie and Wisty!
Looks like mine a bit.

[PearlieMae]

Oh, I didn't design anything, I just colored it on the computer!

[Yulia]

Well I liked your picture pearlie, and the original design too. ;)

[Mermaid Wesley]

PEARLIE YOU SWEETHEART <333 its so pretty!

[PearlieMae]

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:rainbow:

[Yulia]

You already know what I'm going to say

[PearlieMae]

hehehehehe!

[OceanWhisper]

OMG dat scale <3

Wesley this is going to be amazing!! I love your color scheme!

[Mermaid Wesley]

:0 that's just ugh Pearlie I love you. I can't even with how supportive and sweet you are.


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[Azurin Luna]

*feels jelly about the colors of that scale* Love it :D

[Mermaid Wesley]

I colored one in for the back of my tail too.

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and if you wanna color, here's the file for my tail pattern. Idk, i just like coloring uwu
29252
feel free to color and stuff but dont use my design for a tail or sell anything yadda yadda i own the thing. my thing. but you can have fun with it :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

News! I ordered this monofin: http://www.freedivershop.com/waterway-model-1-monofin
I made a verbal pact to have this tail done by the pacific coast mermaid festival (june 26?)
I'm flippin out.
I sculpted a new side fin thats super cute.

QUesTIOnS:
Whats your opinion of molding the back side of the pectoral fins? yes? not necessary? I'm having issues sculpting anything thin, and I think doubling them would be too thick and bulky, but I don't want it like untextured shiny... idk idk what do you all think?

[Kishiko]

Try taking a chunk of clay and use a rolling pin to roll out a thin sheet and then sculpt from there

(unless you already did that than ignore me)