Buying vs Creating

[Sandra Siren]

Hey tailmakers,
I've been going back and forth on the whole buying v making a silicone tail. Normally it would be no contest since I consider myself to be pretty crafty and capable. But after reading the various guides, watching several tutorials and seeing the cornucopia of choices; I've got to admit I'm more than a little daunted. I've never worked with clay before, and while I've used various molds, I have never made one. I really like the fact that making a tail is much more cost effective, especially if I ever wanted to make another one, but I just don't know that f I have the skills in order to be up to the task. I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone have a complete list of supplies with a straightforward step by step? I was in the process of reading a comprehensive how to , and started to feel encouraged that silicone tail making was possible, but it cut out halfway through and I've been unable to find the rest.
Thanks all,

[Mermaid Wesley]

Star's thread is great: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?587-Star-s-First-Tailmaking-Experience/page16

It's for latex but the process is almost the same. You just have to make sure your supplies won't mess up the silicone.


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[Yulia]

For me the dealbreaker was "can I make something better myself with the amount of money that tail costs?"
If I would try to make a tail with techniques I never even tried, I don't know what the end result will be.
If I buy a tail, I know what I will get.

[Sherielle]

I would love to be able to make my own silicone tail. I've worked with special effect makeup and understand the process. I'm also (I think) rather creative and artsy. BUT.....that takes time and space that I just don't have. it's like when I see a painting that I like, and my mom always says, "Oh Sherry, you can do that yourself", to which I reply, "Yes, but this is ALREADY MADE!" lol.

[Sandra Siren]

Thanks for the link mermaid Wesley.

Aurelia, Yulia you make excellent points, and I share those concerns as well. I approached my husband about the pros and con's for buying v making, and we even brought in a second opinion from one of my costumer friends, from a theater I used to work at, and I am going to try and make my own tail. I'm also going to document my process so if, God forbid, something goes wrong I can backtrack and fix it.
I appreciate the help :)

[Genevieve]

Woo hoo! Can't wait to see how it turns out. :rainbow: Go forth, tailblazer!

Much as I admire the freedom and cost-effectiveness of making one's own tail -- and those who take it on! -- I can say I am not artsy (I would like to think I'm creative, but meh).

[Seatan]

That's a tricky one. I bought a tail and just wasn't happy with it, even though it was fantastic, so I sold it and am making one for myself. HOWEVER having had that tail and swam in it makes me feel capable of making a tail because now I know the reality of what a good, well made silicone tail is, when before it was just pixels on a screen. I THOUGHT I knew what silicone tails were like until I got one. Now I KNOW what they are like and it gives me confidence. I had never done any of the stuff you do for a tail, either, but mine is looking great. I would make your own, if it was me, but I would also suggest actually seeing and feeling a silicone tail before you did, if you haven't already.

[Sandra Siren]

Wow! Thanks for the encouragement! I will be posting my first steps in tail making soon, as I have begun my scale sheet, and will be mold ready in just a few days. :D