Taking the challange: full silicone tail adventure!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Ok so, most of you might know I was planning to get my basic Merbellas tail shipped out for a make-over. But everything included, I could get a performance tail with all extra fins. So not a good option! I'm always inspired by people who make their own (silicone) tails. And after a while, I wish I was brave enough to try it! i got to discuss my plans at home and they agreed. They know it will be a risk for making it. But they rather have me spent that money on this experiance than spending it on shipping and taxes. So here I am! I'll be working on my tail in Art class, with help of some mentors. :)

Big thanks to Mermaid Jessica, Mermaid Jazz and Mermaid Crystal for helping me out! <3

[Ariel-Starfish]

Tape mold :)


For the fluke I will be using a cut down rapid monofin, wich I also use for training. ^^

This is my fluke design ,together with an ankle fin. <3

[Mermaid Mhara]

Looking good! :D Can't wait to follow this one, I'm sure it'll come out amazing :)

[Mermaid Adriel]

Good luck with it! ;)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hooray! Another silicone adventure! Good luck!


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[AniaR]

good for you!

[MerAnthony]

Good deal. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Mer-Crazy]

Sounds awesome :) But I've heard that Rapids aren't really a good fit in full silicone tails, as the clips can come off and be a pain to try and get back into place. You may want to look into that.

[Ariel-Starfish]

MThanks everyone! :D After a concluseon that the foam won't work - I'll me making everything out of clay.
I'm busy with the fluke atm ^^

@ Selene: thanks for teminding me! I'll check on that!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

I'm so happy for you! Go girl!!!! :D

[PearlieMae]

Excellent! Best of luck!!!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Thank you! <3

I'll be spending every friday on my tail so you can expect some weekly updates. :)

I'm planning to do everything in clay, scince the foam diden't worked out.

I have spend an entire day on molding my fluke. Here you can see how far I got! :p Pretty satisfied. <3

[PearlieMae]

That is a shapely fluke! How wide is it?

[Mermaid Adriel]

good job!

[Ariel-Starfish]

@perlie : It's as wide as my merbella fluke <3 Still doubt if I'm going to use a rapid or a wave.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Thinking of going for a wave.... I want a floppy fluke this time :) Does this had the same 'wide' dimentions as a rapid?

[MerEmma]

The Rapid is larger in width than the Wave to compensate for the larger shoe size I believe.

[mermaid_lover]

wauw, your fluke looks already gorgeus.:jawdrop:

I really look out to the rest of the tail...

The rapid monofin is heavier and larger than the wave.

Here is some information:

finis Rapid: 27.2 x 22 x 3.9 inches / 183.4 x 55.9 x 9.9 cm
4 pounds / 1.8 kg

finis wave: 20.9 x 18.1 x 3.2 inches / 53.1 x 46 x 8.1 cm
2.2 pounds / 1 kg

because i dont know how to say or calculate this in English ( sorry) and because you're also from Belgium... :$

rapid : schoenmaat: 38 - 46

wave: schoenmaat: 31-39

I hope it helped something :)

[Mermaid Mhara]

I absolutely LOVE that fluke!! :D this shall be awesome!

[teeth4u]

Everything looks awesome! I can't wait to see more progress :) I think it's awesome that more and more people are making their own tails.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

Why don't use a sweammers (http://www.sweammer.com/en/menu-principal/monopalme) Hydra or triton as base for your fluke. They don't have those ridges as a wave or a rapid and aren't as big as a competitor, but do swim the same. It's also an EU-company so no extra costs when they arrive at your home ;)

[Ariel-Starfish]

LlThanks mermaid_lover! This will really help my monofin choice!

Thanks everyone for the support!
When I went back to work this morning, I gently pulled the clay out of the plastic- to discover the mold was broken! The good news - only on the flat half.

I worked all day long to finish the fluke. Here is the result! :D

[Mermaid Adriel]

GREAT! :swoon:

[PearlieMae]

Awesome work!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Thank you!! Can't wait to sculpt the hip- and ankle fins! ^^

[mermaid_lover]

Wauw looks amazing! :o

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[Ariel-Starfish]

Eeep! Just got 25 kg of sculpting plaster for making a mold from the clay mold. :p Can't wait till next friday xD
On tuesday, I'll start on sculpting the side fins and scales! *exited*

[Mermaid Adriel]

Are you going to make clay scales? I was thinking to do the same thing xD

[Ariel-Starfish]

Yes I wil be making thel out of clay cince I can't find foam circles over here :p (and yoga mats did not work out lol)

This took me a howle day, but it was worth it! <3

clay molds for my hip- and ankle fins.
(Yes, this are miniatures from the fluke design :D )

[Mermaid Adriel]

I like these!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Why don't use a sweammers (http://www.sweammer.com/en/menu-principal/monopalme) Hydra or triton as base for your fluke. They don't have those ridges as a wave or a rapid and aren't as big as a competitor, but do swim the same. It's also an EU-company so no extra costs when they arrive at your home ;)


They look intresting... but i do not find a way to order and can't find the price?:confused:

[Mermaid Fenicia]

I have mine from this side http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/fins-monofins/1081/s# ;) I have a yellow Triton ;)

[Ariel-Starfish]

Making marking lines on my cardboard body mold , so my scales come out even. Will finish it tomorrow.
please pray for me the weather will be fine tomorrow afternoon!! Otherwise I can't start making my plaster molds.

[Ariel-Starfish]

I have mine from this side http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/fins-monofins/1081/s# ;) I have a yellow Triton ;)

Thanks! :) Are they as heavy as a competitor? Or are they manageable? This time I would like a floppy fluke but with enough power. (Will be cutting the monofin down)

[Mermaid Fenicia]

The weigh about the same as a wave/rapid and are as manageable, but they swim like a competitor. Here (http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=325) you can see me swimming with my yellow triton ;) I don't have a swimming-video yet :(

[Ariel-Starfish]

Today I made my first plaster mold ^^ I hope it works out well!
I had really lots of fun making it:p even trough the weather was bad. Lol

picture!

[PearlieMae]

YAY!!!

I would let it dry for longer than you think is necessary before demolding it...I know its hard to wait, though!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Shure! Gotta wait until tuesday to get the plaster mold off. SO EXITED. :yay:

[mermaid_lover]

I can't wait to see :D

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[Mermaid Danielle]

This looks awesome so far! I can't wait to see it when it is finished!

[Ariel-Starfish]

did my second plaster mold - little fins- today. :)

Will wait until friday to see how the two molds came out. (Just waiting long enough, to be shure they won't break)
Also ordered this monofin ===>>


http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/414/057/108/108057414_161.jpg

Wanted a wave at first, but this one has no ridges and is cheaper :) yay!

This is all for now :mermaidkiss:

[Ariel-Starfish]

UPDATE!! My molds came out perfect!! :yay:

cleaning them:

Clean molds <3
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[Ariel-Starfish]

Whoops! There whent something wrong with my with my attachments :p

[mermaid_lover]

Wauw :o

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[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

They look great!

[Mermaid Mhara]

Getting really excited about this one!! I can tell it's going to be awesome already :D

[Soulstrifer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izWROpy5Loo&list=UU7DUAj8kLlnGF3J_MvV32QA

I have a hydra :D it's a good fin for the price~ Not too soft and not to stiff. It's pretty much just right.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Thanks for sharing the video! The fluke's floppyness looks perfect! <3

I just ordered my silicone :D iiih !!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Just got my glitter in the mail! :D :D

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hooray!


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[BeckyTaka]

Oooooo! What glitter did you get?

[Ashton]

I cant wait to see more!

[Ariel-Starfish]

I got light blue glitter. <3

also my silicone arrived! But due my operation I'm out for a while. :( Won't get my tail done at the end of summer I guess.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Pic spam! Got my Hydra fin in today. This fin is PERFECT for my tail and is mutch lighter in weight than my Rapid.



My two monofins together. :)

[PearlieMae]

I love the organic look of your fluke!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Almost got all my materials! Just the pigments need to come in. :p

I haven't post anything from my scale clay sheet, becouse it's going terrably SLOw >_< Just one inch abd I'm around my ankles somwhere. Urgh. :(

[Ariel-Starfish]

tempted to cut my monofin already :p

[Mermaid Wesley]

What are you waiting on? Finalizing your fluke?


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[Ariel-Starfish]

Need some extra help for cutting it :) My eye is still healing from surgery last week.

Tomorrow I'll work further on my scales... (wishing i had foam circles)

Here is my tail design, colored by the lovely mermaid Melanie!

I know it's nothing special, just an updated look on my current Merbellas tail. The hip) and heeel fins still need to be added on the design.


http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/LaraCroftFanneke22/Mernetwork%20avatar-banner/df6ef681-bbe9-4c4f-a562-f998b1cd4826_zps88501f82.jpg (http://s670.photobucket.com/user/LaraCroftFanneke22/media/Mernetwork%20avatar-banner/df6ef681-bbe9-4c4f-a562-f998b1cd4826_zps88501f82.jpg.html)

[Mermaid Wesley]

I love the design! A unique fluke, for sure. I'm happy for you! {And happy that I opted out of making a clay scale sheet (; }


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[Mermaid Riia]

did my second plaster mold - little fins- today. :)

Will wait until friday to see how the two molds came out. (Just waiting long enough, to be shure they won't break)
Also ordered this monofin ===>>


http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/414/057/108/108057414_161.jpg

Wanted a wave at first, but this one has no ridges and is cheaper :) yay!

This is all for now :mermaidkiss:

Where did you buy the clear hydra Ariel?

[Mermaid Fenicia]

http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-clear-flow/31962/p ;)

[Ariel-Starfish]

Someone helped me out cutting scales yesterday: It went MUTCH faster! I'm at 1/3 now!
Also checked my pigments: Is this enough for a full tail?!
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[Mermaid Clara]

those pigment colors are absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see the finished product

[Kishiko]

Where'd you get those pigments?!? :jawdrop: :swoon:

[Ariel-Starfish]

These are pearl ex pigments. :)

Who knows how mutch i'll need for a full tail?

[PearlieMae]

It should be more than enough. a little goes a LONG way!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Thanks !

Now to find a way to mix the blue and purple a bit to get the exact darker blue as on my merbellas tail for the sides. :/ There is no darker blue so I hope it works out well!
I'm so in love with that blue!

[Mermaid Adriel]

Love those colors <3

[Ashton]

Where did you get your pigments?

[Ariel-Starfish]

Mostly Ebay, They don't sell it around here. :/

I got my selproxy tube in the mail today! *happy* Fixed all the little tears on the waistline from my Merbella fluke, and will be using it to glue my monofin to the silicone fluke.

Here is my process on the clay scale sheet. I'm almost there!! ( If i'm lucky, I'm able to make a plaster mold of it next friday!)

after that, my artclass will close for the lonth of july and re-open again in August = pouring silicone! :D

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[PearlieMae]

This is getting so exciting! I can't wait!

[Firemaid]

I have some advice for you:
Pearl ex will make your silicone brittle. It will make it less elastic, and more likely to break. It will also make your seams more likely to pull apart.
The more powdered pigment you mix into the silicone the worse the issue is.

[Mermaid Wesley]

really? oh no! Well I'm going to hope that mine works ok :)

[Firemaid]

really? oh no! Well I'm going to hope that mine works ok :)
It will still "work" it will just make your tail weaker and less flexible.
I use powdered pigments myself!!!
One thing I've found is to avoided mixing them into the silicone you pour into the mold. I like only using them on the very last layer of paint! That way your silicone isn't compromised, but you still get all the pretty sparkles!!!

[Mermaid Wesley]

It will still "work" it will just make your tail weaker and less flexible.
I use powdered pigments myself!!!
One thing I've found is to avoided mixing them into the silicone you pour into the mold. I like only using them on the very last layer of paint! That way your silicone isn't compromised, but you still get all the pretty sparkles!!!

Unfortunately I'm going to be pigmenting all of my silicone as I do not plan on painting. (Nor do I have the means to at the moment) Oops.


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[PearlieMae]

I pigmented my entire tail with pearl ex, and other dry artists' pigments, and have not had any issue at all. I've yet to break any silicone, and I've stretched this thing like crazy. But I also use as little pigment as I can to get the effect I want.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hmmm okay well I guess I'll just DOIT


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[Ariel-Starfish]

Thanks for letting me know! i will use as less as I can then! :)

I aaaaaaaalmost finished my clay scale sheet!
Please pray for me that I can succeed my plaster mold this friday- it's the only day I have left before summer break! :o

[Ariel-Starfish]

Last update til August:

My clay scale sheet is done and had the chance if making the plaster mold the same day.

In August I wil start with the silicone part.

[Mermaid Adriel]

Can't wait! *3*

[Ariel-Starfish]

http://instagram.com/p/pvjbyURtgi/

Scale mold is done!!!! :yay:

[Ashton]

Snazzy!

[Ariel-Starfish]

The month is almost over, and that means: silicone pouring time!!! :D Starting this friday - if it's warm enough.

[Ariel-Starfish]

UPDATE: Changed my color design. This will be though! (No airbrush)

http://instagram.com/p/rFB_CAxtkt/


http://instagram.com/p/rFB_CAxtkt/

[Mermaid Adriel]

This design looks really neat! :)

[Raayvhen]

Oh good lord! It's going to be gorgeous!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Full picture

http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/LaraCroftFanneke22/Mernetwork%20avatar-banner/165C4BD7-12B7-41A6-84EF-09E6936421E9_zpspy62prno.jpg (http://s670.photobucket.com/user/LaraCroftFanneke22/media/Mernetwork%20avatar-banner/165C4BD7-12B7-41A6-84EF-09E6936421E9_zpspy62prno.jpg.html)

[Raayvhen]

Unf.

[Ariel-Starfish]

? :)

[Raayvhen]

It's basically a noise for when something's sexy.

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130315082352/degrassi/images/1/1f/Unf.gif

[Ariel-Starfish]

:D omgosh lol I'll remember now!


Soooo...did cast a pair of little fins already, and they are slightly ( way off) size, but can be fixed with trimming one side ^^


and de-molded the first part o my fluke!


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Thz left part is to thin in some places, but can be fixed. At the other side it's way to thick and need to be cut/trimmed, otherwise it's waaaay to heavy.

Also my silicone ran out and waiting for my new batch to arrive! I want to pour my scales so badly :p lol

[Lostariel Telrunya]

It doesn't look like the attachment is working for me... but from what I have seen, it is going to be amazing!!!

[Mermaid Meko]

Your colors are beautiful and so calming! lol. Excited to see where this goes!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Having some setbacks :( The weather is is not working along (20 degrees celcius and raind
) So I can't pour my second fluke half. For clearing my mind I tried testing to paint some silicone = Huge fail!
It's like painting with tooth paste. :( Even with some thinner added u still need to dap gently to dee some colo
r.

What can I do??? :(

[Mermaid Wesley]

I think you need an air gun (or brush) missy.

[Lostariel Telrunya]

Hey, 20 degrees and rainy? I wish! The past four weeks in Alberta have had an average of 37.9 degrees celsius. And people call Canada cold...

[Mermaid Melanie]

I added a lot of paint thinner and tested it - the colour is diluted but it cures fine - airbrushing means you can build up the colour layer by layer and get a nice even coverage !

[Jessica]

This tail is going to be beautiful Ariel!

If you don't have an airbrush, you can handpaint the tail even if you don't thin the silicone. It's just really important to paint very thin layers if you don't thin the silicone out or the paint layer will run ALL over the place. It's time consuming to paint this way, but I like the effect and the control it gives. I use a small paintbrush and just mix small amount of silicone at a time---usually just a tsp each of A&B. If you mix too much you won't have enough time to use it before it starts to thicken.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Ll
This tail is going to be beautiful Ariel!

If you don't have an airbrush, you can handpaint the tail even if you don't thin the silicone. It's just really important to paint very thin layers if you don't thin the silicone out or the paint layer will run ALL over the place. It's time consuming to paint this way, but I like the effect and the control it gives. I use a small paintbrush and just mix small amount of silicone at a time---usually just a tsp each of A&B. If you mix too much you won't have enough time to use it before it starts to thicken.

Thanks for all the support! <3

if I haven't got u and Jazz I would had given it up by now.

thid project has been a pain lately...
I misscalculated the amount of silicone and I ordered my 3rd batch by now (7,2kg).

i had thought of giving up, or to sell it when it's done. I really don't know....

Did the second fluke half and first scale sheet (that is not even everywhere)

[Ariel-Starfish]

First tail sheet is curing.... And alteady ordered my 4th (!!!) batch of silicone.. This is really getting a pain here... But i will finish it. And if it's not what I hoped for: i'll sell it.

[Ariel-Starfish]

The tail sheet came out amazing! I even have some loose scales to! :D But WOW is it heavy! D:
Video:
http://instagram.com/p/sKJfgNxtkf/

I already glued one fluke side to the monofin - i layed the other on o. Top to see how it would work and.... With the monofin on my feet I CANT lift the fluke.... I just can't :'( Everything is made to heavy... I hope I don't drown....

[Raayvhen]

From what I understand silicone tails are pretty weightless in water...

[Ariel-Starfish]

Yeah I know.... But this kinda scared me... :/

[AniaR]

A lot of tails have insanely heavy flukes

[Mermaid Riia]

Mine is heavy... I think it's 34 pounds. But heaviness is something you get eventually used to. I was scared of my tail in the beginning when I received it and was not able to lift my fluke over my head, I was pretty bummed. But now after half a year's use I can do pretty much everything from flips to lifting my fluke and holding it up. So don't give up hope just yet :)


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[Ariel-Starfish]

*** THIS TREAD IS CLOSED DUE FAILIURE***

i will not post anything new.

From the beginning, I made the molds to thick and everything cale out SUPER heavy. Like, dangerously heavy. I have to start all over if I want to make it work, but with the money spend I could have another basic tail from Merbellas (Go figure!)


This is where it ends, but I have great news for in the future!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Oh I'm really sorry hearing this....
Isn't any way to make it work even if it came that heavy?