Hello... joined for advice! Anyone feel like helping? ;)

[lycrawaterz14]

Hello! My name is Tia, and I live in Tennessee... I just now joined because I thought it necessary too now that I am going to be purchasing my FIRST SILICONE TAIL! :jawdrop:

Yes, my first purchased tail is going to be silicone, but I've done a TON of research, and I've wanted to buy one since I was small! I wanted a mertailor spandex one since I was 10, and since my parents and grandparents thought it strange and never purchased me one, I made my own! And I kept making lycra and spandex one with my Finis wave as soon as I grew out of them. But soon I will be getting my first credit card, and my first purchase is going to be a silicone tail from FinFolk or MerBella, whichever is faster and cheaper... I just sent off this message to FinFolk, so you guys can see it here I guess... I'll probably make my own thread momentarily... as soon as I figure out where it goes!

Facebook message to FinFolk on May 10th:
I think I would like to purchase a tail in the near future! I would like it before August the 20th though, and have been shopping around, so I have a couple of questions as well as would like to discuss roundabout pricing.


The tail I would like is based of an electric blue Jack Demsey, (http://www.tfhmagazine.com/assets/011/23996_400wh.jpg) almost exactly like this fish's scales, but each one outlined in navy instead of 'clustered' in some spots. The only thing is they have a sort of iridescent shimmer to their scales and react under UV! So 1st question, do you have either of those options? (Iridecence and/or UV reactant paint) I know Merbella has this in her options, but they weren't specifically mentioned here in your ad ons so I didn't know if they were available. It doesn't HAVE to be iridescent paint, but I definitely want that shimmer as they swim like this video! Not this much periwinkle in my tail though. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgqKtMKfrCo)


I also enjoy this fluke shape (https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10006450_293331900830755_8576769850270212664_n.jpg ) and so I guess that makes this question #2 I wondered if pricing varied on each different fluke shape? Mertailor had this in their price calculator and wanted to know if you did the same.


And finally I really enjoy you scale tipping as you called it! #3 Do you know if those wear out faster from impact or friction IE pulling yourself onto a ledge, with the raised surfaces? I know silicone is pretty tough, but haven't experienced the raised scales before...


Last question I swear! What does your wait list look like right now, or when could my tail be expected to come in if I ordered in the next two weeks or so?

Then I sent another message:

Okay I lied, one more question! Is there any way you can do a 'hybrid' tail, like http://origincache-ash.fbcdn.net/10261068_217505025127043_2022111880_n.jpg so that the mono fin is two separate pieces so it's easy to get on and off?

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

I'm fairly sure finfolk are booked up for summer but if you are after a silicone tail quickly I know that Mernation have a really quick turn around atm.

[lycrawaterz14]

August 20th is just before I ship off to college, I can wait for longer than that, but I really would like to enjoy it at home a little more first. I would rather wait and have the tail I really want than just rush it though, especially since I want so much extra...

Really it would be great if I had it now! :thumbdown: But I know good things come to those who wait :)

[MerAnthony]

Welcome, but I have a question have you swam in a tail before? If not getting a silicone tail off the bat is really not a good idea. I would say get a spandex tail first then goto silicone.

[Winged Mermaid]

Okay I lied, one more question! Is there any way you can do a 'hybrid' tail, like http://origincache-ash.fbcdn.net/10261068_217505025127043_2022111880_n.jpg so that the mono fin is two separate pieces so it's easy to get on and off?

You misunderstand what a hybrid tail is. The tail in this photo was a Merbella Studios basic tail- meaning the whole tail is a neoprene base with silicone on top. Raven took that tail and made it a hybrid tail- that is she cut off the body of the tail completely, and made a whole new body for it. The body she reattached to the old fluke was performance scales (full silicone, no neoprene). Performance body/scales + neoprene and silicone fluke = hybrid tail. After that she threw the old body of the tail (on the left) away. The body of the tail does not come off, doesn't separate. It's one piece after she was finished attaching it.

Finfolk is booked out for the summer, their wait list is at least several months long, then it takes a few months for them to make your tail. I believe people who ordered back in January won't have their tails started until next month, if that gives you any idea. Raven's spots are extremely hard to get, and they generally take 3-6 months (or more) for production.

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

I ordered a finfolk tail in January and it goes into production next week. And that is a short waiting time compared to their waiting list now I think. I would also highly recommend also starting off with a fabric or neoprene tail first for practice. I am so much better after months and months of solid practice and several handmade tails!

[BayouMermaid]

Guys, her post says that she's made several spandex tailskins for use with her wave monofin... I think that moving up to silicone would be fine.

[Mermaid Calah]

I'm just excited for her! Her tail design looks really interesting to me (I've never seen that kind of fish before!) so I'm hoping she's able to book any maker to create it for her~

[lycrawaterz14]

Oh my goodness, so FinFolk REPLIED I am so excited! I'll just copy paste the message received.


Hello Tia!

We'd absolutely love to get you on our calendar! Your design is stunning, and we'd be happy to get some of your questions answered.

Yes, all of our paints are iridescent. We currently do not offer UV reactive options. There are no separate charges for the fluke designs. All designs are included the baseline prices, with fins, dorsals, etc considered upgrade options. Silicone is a very skin-like material, so while it can handle a lot of stretching and pulling, you must always be careful on abrasive surfaces. Paint scrapes can occur, but they are definitely avoidable, so long as you always take care on concrete, etc.

Our wait list right now is quite long (full up for summer) but it would be possible to complete it by August 20th for a deadline fee of $200.
Hope to hear from you soon!

Kind Regards,
Abby & Bryn
Finfolk Productions

AHHH I am so overjoyed! I have wanted this tail for years, and have worked on the design for a long time... I thought of a silicone tail like a tattoo, one that you have to be really happy with the design, commitment, and responsibility for years. I am so glad I did though! I thought that 'hybrid' idea sounded too cool to be true, watching a couple of my merfriends struggle in their silicone, I thought if there was an easy way out they could have avoided it!

This community really is wonderful, thank you so much everyone for your help and encouragement!

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

Oh apologies I see that you did say you have hand made ones :) that's really exciting! I can't wait to see how it turns out! The girls are so lovely. You will love working with them to create your tail.

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[BayouMermaid]

CONGRATULATIONS