WEIGHT BELTS- WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN A HANDCRAFTED MER WEIGHT BELT?

[Mermaid Leira]

I have a made a preliminary design for a mer weight belt, it would have a safe quick release, pretty weights that looked like cowrie shells or alike embelleshments and netting detail :) my normal belt looks terrible with a tail lol. Would anyone be interested in a custom one?

[Mermaid Narina]

Yeah!!

[Mermaid Leira]

I see you're an Aussie Mer too Narina! Might be able to got one to you without braking the bank, what kind of belt embellishments would you like? I'm going to work on some designs this weekend :)

[Fifi Tigg]

I would like to see what you come up with ;)

[Mermaid Kelda]

I'd be interested too! We need more Aussie craftspeople - overseas shipping is such a bitch.

[Mermaid Syaira]

I'm also interested. got any photos?

[Mermaid Leira]

Not yet but I will after the weekend hopefully :) I bought a heap more materials today and some are being shipped, going to make head pieces, cuffs and wrist bands to start with. But I did pick up power mesh today aand have my resin and clay ordered to make large sale silicone projects (tails hopefully) Where are you guys located?

[Mermaid Narina]

NSW baby! :D (aussie hi five)
Im not sure in terms of designs... id love to see what you come up with though :)

[Mermaid Syaira]

in Kyneton which is about an hour out of Melbourne

[Gem Stone]

This would be awesome! Pretty sure shipping would kill me, but I'd like to see what you come up with.

[NerineArcticMermaid]

Yeah seeing as I already make these. Id like to see your design as well.

[Mermaid Tula]

So how do you figure out how much weight someone will need for their belt?

[Mermaid Riia]

Nerine, do you still do belts? I float like a cork so I would really use one

[NerineArcticMermaid]

yes i still do.. 4yrs now i have made them. email me. nerinethemermaid@yahoo.com

[AniaR]

Well she's down under so its not like she's competition neriene. No rule that says they're can only be one. Costs a boat load to ship stuff internationally

[Aquarianne]

Well she's down under so its not like she's competition neriene. No rule that says they're can only be one. Costs a boat load to ship stuff internationally

Ugh, I hear that. Ordering stuff from Australia to the states is NUTS. I always look to see if there's a local alternative.

[Seatan]

I'm sure yours are awesome, Nerine, but there's always room for fresh designs! A weight belt is a pretty basic necessity for people who find themselves floaty, so I am sure there is plenty of market to go around--not to mention lots of cool ways to make them! I would be interested in a design where the weights were removable so you could buy the belt and then go to your dive shop and buy some small weights, then you don't have to worry about shipping and can weight for your particular body type!

I would love to see pictures of the belts you've made, Nerine, but I am not big on doing business through email, simply because my email is such a spam bucket! Are they posted on the internet anywhere?

[NerineArcticMermaid]

@seavanna Yes. I have them and the custom options listed on my etsy shop. Http://www.etsy.com/shop/legendaryart


Just FYI: THere are alot of safetly issues besides the clip to consider. So please. If you've never used a weighted belt before please be careful and only wear the minimum wieght you need!

[Mermaid Leira]

I think it would be too expensive for the purchaser to pay for shipping to the states I'll suss it out, but it would give aussie mers a chance to get one here without crazy costs of shipping, I have'nt seen yours Nerine, so I'll be interested to see if you ised the same tequinique of intergrating weight I'm planning on using:) The weights would be removable, I would ask anyone to test with a regular wieght belt, if not, I'd calculate the same way you do with diving based on body weight and tail material (neoprene thickness etc) I'm going to make some accessories too, then undertake a silicone tail project, purchased power mesh yeasterday (any aussie mers looking for it it's avaiable at Spotlight ) :) Hope it all works!

[Mermaid Leira]

Oh and Nerine, The belts would have a proper scuba quick release, I've been rescue level qualified for years so know the importance of safety and would make sure anyone who reveived one from me would be informed :)

[Fifi Tigg]

We need more mermaid accessories makers here in Australia because the shipping usually cost more than the product! :(

[Mermaid Leira]

I bought lost of bits and pieces yesterday, going to make some colorful clips and head pieces and more subdued ones as well, found tiny little bottles that I'll fill with meassages, sand, pearls or jewells depending on the style, (these arent't finished pices just arranged a few things together to see how they might look :) I'm going to use the dragon skin the have to cast some little half pearls, scales and tiny starfish that can be stick on your face with eyelash glue too :) 22585

[Mermaid Leira]

22586

[Mermaid Leira]

I decided to make an ear cuff, made a little message in a bottle with beach sand, and added pearls and a seashell, will change seashell with a smaller one and add more shells intergrating one shell then one pearl down the side2261122612, thoughts? :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Aw it's cute!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Wesley! I'm awaiting a shipment of shells to add more and adjust design :)

[Seatan]

Your stuff is SO adorable! I LOOOOVE the messages in the bottle, and the COLOR on that starfish piece is awesome!!!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Sevanna! :) I filled some bottles with pearls, gems, shells and other treasures too. That starfish piece is just a few colors grouped together to see what it looked like, I thought it might look "tacky" but I like the brights together I think :) My uncle is a professional shell collector and is sending me a heap of boxes of shells and stars to use or cast from, can't wait til they get here so I can get right amongst some crafting!

[XMermaidMarinaX]

Why is it okay for her to make a weight belt with shells and things and then different colored things as a headpiece like Nerine does? Honestly, if it was Raven, you guys wouldn't be reacting the same way ._. Get angry with me for saying it, but really.

[XMermaidMarinaX]

I will admit I like the whole ear cuff thing though, mostly due to my strange addiction with them

[Winged Mermaid]

Why is it okay for her to make a weight belt with shells and things and then different colored things as a headpiece like Nerine does? Honestly, if it was Raven, you guys wouldn't be reacting the same way ._. Get angry with me for saying it, but really.

No, that's a valid comment. I've had this discussion many times on here before, why not another ;) There's a fine line between copying and inspiration. Obviously weight belts have been around forever, but Nerine was the first to make the mermaid-decorated one. We all know that if there's a demand for something, more people are going to make more of the same thing- whether we like it or not. The main point you need to keep in mind for things like this is to make the same thing in general, while making it unique. Making a different design that's all your own, rather than just ripping off someone else's exact design.

For example, the whole blow up over headdresses (that ended up in the Drama Thread, lol) was that I was pointing out that Raven did indeed create the particular style of mermaid headdresses that involved two hair clips on either side with netting as a headband connecting them. And it was stupid to say "no one make anything like this" just because Raven did it first- but instead I pointed out that the main aspect that made Merbella headdresses easily recognizable (in my opinion) - or the "signature" look piece- was the netting that connected the two clips. So I urged people to try and keep from doing that (for ones they plan to sell to others), and use something else to make theirs unique. Some people agreed, some disagreed, Raven voiced her viewpoint and stressed that she'd never tell anyone what they could or couldn't sell, but she agreed it would be great if people could give her that ONE little thing to be hers.

This kind of thing has happened many many times on this forum and all over the community. Like Raven originated the octopus top. I've seen a lot of people make them since, tailmakers and non tailmakes. Want to make an ocotopus top with you own design? Awesome! Rip off the design itself from Raven or others? Not cool. (And I have seen several people rip of her original design as exact as they could get, that aren't tailmakers.)

I could list a lot more examples. But the key here is to make the same item with your unique flair and design. I know Nerine exclusively uses a very specific shell for her weight belts. You know what would be a good thing not to do in this case? Use that particular shell. I mean, there are tons of other shells you could use anyway ;) I hope that makes sense.

[AniaR]

Am I the only one who actually owns nerienes weight belt beside her?? Are there other clients on here? Cuz already her description sounds way different than the neriene one I own

[Mermaid Leira]

really? I have never seen anyone's weight belt design nor do I intend to before I make my own, I've always had neutral buoyancy issues even with no neoprene or air in a BCD diving, hence the idea. But I'd rather create things without the influence of seeing others designs, of course some people ideas will be similar because of appropriate materials for the style, application and fixture and environmental style . Trial and error of design without any "copying" call bear similar results sometimes or cool new ideas I hope. I have a heap of different shells coming to test, what work will depend on durability in the manufacturing process but I'm planning on trying map, eg and tiger cowrie first, I have access to a heap of different shells if anyone wanted them for trier own projects too if anyone would like some too, I'll posts some pics of what I have so far :)

[AniaR]

What you described sounds different than the one I own from neriene otherwise I would of said something.

[Mermaid Leira]

The ab are a bit different than the for named the round ones at the bottom are the doors of turbo shells, these would be great for lots of things as they're pearl if polished and light, I've got 50 coming if anyone wants some as I get them cheap :) 22635

[Mermaid Leira]

22636

At bottom

[NerineArcticMermaid]

actually yes.
Thalassa owns one and so does Karen. Ive made a few others.

[Mermaid Leira]

I haven't seen your Nerine, but I don't want to until I have finished my own, rather not have my free creative license influenced, same with other things I'm planning to make :)

[AniaR]

I just always think it's funny because people who often freak out about people copying their designs, when I check out their stuff it looks to me like they copy too.

From your descriptions Amy I think your belt idea sounds different. Im usually the first one to speak up about ripping off designs, and seeing as I own one of Nerine's belts I would of said as much if I thought that.

I think detachable weights would be amazing. I also think thinner shells could use a coat of resin or something to harden them up a bit. I had one of my shells break (which nerine offered to fix but I declined because I couldnt really afford to send it back and forth again) even though it seemed like a pretty thick shell it just had a thinner spot. All the shot inside went all over the pool :( so for me I think making sure the weights are in something sealed is also a great idea too. Buckles can be hard to "hide" even with great decorations.

I pretty much stopped using mine because I learned to sink without it and the waist lines of silicone tails are a stress point from the constant rolling them up and down. When mine started to wear I didn't want the belt adding to the stress of it. It was very nicely padded etc but I think weight belts in my own personal experience/opinion work best for learning I don't feel they're a long term solution for tails that are susceptible to wear and tear at the waist.

What i'd really like to see is tail makers making a pocket system inside silicone tails for weights :)

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Raina,

I'm going to try first to melt the lead into the back but to have a successful cast the shells would need to be heated before the pour rather than cold cast or the shells would break, depends on the thickness and heat durability of the shell as leads melting point is only 327 degrees Celsius , but thick shells are bulky as a downside, otherwise I'll cast shot into resin or silicone in the back of flatter ones or alternatively make a cast of a shell or star replicated in lead. Ill try a few ways. I'll cast a fixture in the back that can go through eyelets in the belt that can be screwed on or off without ruining the surrounding decorations.

Weight in tails might be a safety risk.

Hard to hide a quick release buckle but necessary i think.

:)

[Seatan]

I think the problem with the so called "copying" thing is that there is really nothing new under the sun. Somebody else has always at least thought of it. When it comes to copyrighting and patenting things, there has to be something particularly special for the government to agree that other people can't make it. You cannot patent using netting for a headband or sea shells for a weight belt. It's just not unique enough. So you used a certain type of fabric between two clips or stuck some shells on some weights. So what? Before I even began mermaiding, I had thought of putting shells on my SCUBA belt just to look cool, until I got a new BCD with an integrated weight system. It had passed through my mind, and probably many other people's minds. Why? Because weight belts are used to dive in the ocean and clam shells would fit very neatly over weights.

Now, I am certainly NOT saying it is okay to truly copy. You cannot take Raven's octopus top, for example, cast a mold of it, make an exact replica, and sell it as your own. But making an octopus top with a head on one side and legs on the other? Callying that a copy is a pretty fine line, because there are only a few ways to cover up the boobs using an octopus. And Raven may have been the first that we know of to make a silicone octopus top, but I once saw a swimsuit bikini top printed with an octopus covering the boobs. It's an idea that could easily come to many, just like weight belts. The mermaid community is somewhat limited in vision, because we relate so much stuff to the ocean. There are only so many ideas to go around, and I am sure multiple people think of them all. I THINK that my Man O War tail was the first mermaid tail based off of a Man O War, but that doesn't mean I would accuse someone of copying if they also made a tail based off of that creature. Lots of people like the Portuguese Man O War.

Just because your idea is something someone else hasn't done yet, doesn't make it original enough to call "yours." It has to be TRULY unique for that (for example, a complicated monofin design that gives better propulsion), or else the "copy" has to actually BE an exact copy. I know we all like to think our ideas are one of a kind, but most ideas have already been contemplated by other people as well, and it is not fair to limit a person's creativity by trying to call a general idea yours, and yours alone.

Note that this is not me criticizing anyone, just me expressing my opinion that our "original" ideas are often not as original as we think they are and that we need to accept that other people think of these things too and have just as much right to create them.

[Mermaid Leira]

How do you find an integrated weight BCD Seavanna? I don't have one but scuba weight belts are uncomfortable especially without a wetty. I avoid wearing one if the waters not freezing :)

[MermanOliver]

Hm. Most of the BCDs I know are actually weight integrated by now, at least on the European market. Just ask your local scuba store about them, they should be able to give you quite a selection.
Sent from my phonebrick using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Melanie]

You can also try silicone freediving weight belts they can be stretched over your hips to prevent limiting your breath intake and they stay in place really well !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks Melanie :)

[EnidDarkWater]

I think you are off to a good start with your hair pieces and I very much look forward to seeing your version of a weight belt ^_^ Working as a fairy I've seen lots of people have the same idea and most come out different,even though a few come out surprisingly similar. I liken it to great minds think alike. Good Luck!

[Mermaid Leira]

Lead cast and sealed with resin tests turned out no worries, have decided on the appropriate fixture so they can come on and off without having to thread the belt through and ruin decoration and tested in a few different shells. working on this more tonight :) 2313523136

[Mermaid Leira]

The gold fixture you can see screws on and off with an allen key at the rear of the belt so the shell doesn't have to be spun around itself.

[Mermaid Leira]

Thank you Enid :)

[Ilyena]

Ohhh I like this idea!!!!!

[Mermaid Leira]

Playing around with some color combo's, trying a fun bright on first then I might make a more naturalistic one with pollished ab, greens and pearls. I hate the size and color and type of the net I have, so I'll try some others or experiment spraying it, casting all plant embelishments into the weight so they can't fall off and can be moved around with the weights and keep their form :) All working fine so far, and I have two different kinds of safety release buckles and concealment that work a treat too, yay!23185

[Mermaid Leira]

23187

[Raayvhen]

Loving the bright one!

[AniaR]

Wow amazing

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks girls, I'm still unsure of the colors?/, I'll know once it all comes together! excuse the blobs of gunk on the shells that's just clay used to fill anyholes to prevent spillage during casting, I'll peet it off the shells and put them on a belt tonight :)

[Mizuko]

Loving these! :D I dont even need weight belts but I'd be very tempted to buy one of yours once you start selling :)

[Mermaid Galene]

These are great!

[Ilyena]

My neoprene tail needs pretty weights, so I'm definitely interested :D

[anichanchu]

I'm curious, what are weight belts used for and why? I'm just starting my first tail, but I know some people here have them and I was curious about why?
I really love the ones above - so cute.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Some people float naturally. They need weight belts to stay underwater :)

[anichanchu]

Some people float naturally. They need weight belts to stay underwater :)

Thanks!

[Vela]

I think I will need a weight belt but I need to make my tail first. But I would definitely consider buying one from you once you start selling! They are beautiful and very colorful!

[Mermaid Leira]

Weight belt so far, awaiting silicone speardiving belt for base and I have change my attachement method to a better flatter one updates soon :)24637 using leadshot incapsulated in resin has worked perfectly in a few different kinds of shells that I have trialed

[AniaR]

Looks very pretty

[Mermaid Galene]

I may want one of those!

[Mermaid Leira]

Thanks :) Only a prototype, will make others once I get my silicon belts in :)

[Vela]

So cool! I can't wait to see more!! I really love the colors!!!

[Seatan]

Amy, did you ever finish these belts? They are soooo gorgeous!

[Mermaid Abigail]

If this is still in the works, I'm following this thread! :)

[NerineArcticMermaid]

just in case she hasn't figured out her process yet and you need a belt. I still make them. Im working on two belts right now for mermaid jessicapearl and her business partner in australia.

[Mermaid Alaria]

I've been working on this too! I found a way to wrap stones that I'm really excited about. I'm excited to see what y'all are doing.

[theMerFanc]

Sp beautiful! To bad my mersona wouldn't have shells >.> But when i did Scuba diving I floated terribly so I should try to figure out a different way to weigh myself down...