Want to make somee mermaid tops - Supplies?

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Hi all,

My Names Rebecca, I live in australia and want to start making some seashell tops for myself as finances allow in between saving for my dream tail and a monofin etc.

I am wondering where I can find supplies for Seaweed, small shells with holes drilled already, Large shells (with holes?), Water proof glue? (what type), resin to make beads etc waterproof, (what type of resin?), Fishing net in different colors?, and I already own pearls, Swarvoski Crystals, seed beads etc since I am trying to set up my own Jewellery shop on Etsy for everyday stuff and hopefully eventually moving to selling shell mermaid tops etc.

I was also hoping if I do have to go overseas where can I find things with minimal priced shipping?? Also where could I find Nautilus shells with holes in them for headpieces etc as I also want to make headpieces with my Jewellery shop eventually too and am already sketching designs for this and have started on ideas for tops as I get them. However it will have to be done a bit at a time so I can still achieve my goals for a tail from Raven (Merbellas) and one of her tops as well as what I make for myself and hopefully in time for others. I also have basic sewing skills having done a cert 1 in fashion design though would have no idea how to make bras yet so will just be using what you can buy in store for now till I learn how in time :) As I know this is the route I want to go with my jewellery making as well and hopefully with time I can get a part time job as well.

Will also check out here for ideas on hair clips to be used etc too.


Also am trying to work out a color scheme for my dream tail to match with the Nautilus shell but that also works with my blond hair, blue grey eyes and fair skin can anyone offer me any basic suggestions? I have brown, white and cream but was also considering adding maybe some faint pinks etc into the tail too as I want it to be beautiful but suit me at the same time. And any help or suggestions is appreciated and I would love to know where I can find this stuff and if it works out hopefully I may be able to sell beautiful high quality tops to you guys for your mermaid gigs etc with time as I really hate low quality work so do my best to make all pieces to the highest standard I can. I also am working on general every day going out pieces.

But any help you can give on where I can look for these things with time would be much appreciated.

Thanks a ton!

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

Where in Australia are you from Rebecca?
I am from Perth and I find it so hard to get the things I need. Quite often I find things on the internet. Spotlight sometimes has beads I need but lots of the findings, crystals, shells and other things tend to pop up more in random 2 dollar stores and places like Red Dot.
Seaweed try pet shops and two dollar stores like Price Savers.
In Perth we have a couple of specialty privately run stores that have some stuff, but I find the chain places that Australia wide like Riot and Spotlight are useless.
I have so much trouble finding suitable netting for things. If you find any let me know! Hahaha. I have been cutting up enviro bags from IGA.
Thank goodness for Ebay is all I have to say.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Hey I am in Victoria and I found fish net on etsy :) https://www.etsy.com/au/market/fish_net_fabric some nice looking stuff and thanks for the suggestion about pet stores etc if not then guess I shall just have to see what I can find online as I really want some nauticus shells for with my dream tail when I can work out the colors and will have to hope it goes with it and my blond hair lol :P And thanks will check out Ebay too much appreciated! And I have an online wholesaler called firemountain gems that I buy fishing line thread called fireline which is basically waterproof and is really strong and can hold up to 6 pounds in weight.

I also buy all my pearls etc from them as if you buy enough you get discounted rates.

And will look around for the shells! Thanks a ton! As am hoping to be able to get them with pre drilled holes for the nauticus shells to be able to use them.

Also what sort of resin or glue do you need for when you do glue small bits of shells to make sure everything is waterproof and that the beads don't loose their color etc??

Thanks

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

You can use hot glue but if you are going to swim in them or sell them I would invest in E6000 glue. It is harder to get your hands on in Australia but it is the best thing for the job. Stronger, waterproof and flexible. By way of resin you can get it at Bunnings or Riot sometimes sells it.

[Mermaid Silverlilly]

Thanks Mermaid Jessica Pearl! Much appreciated I appreciate that advice as yes I would want to make them to be able to be used in water or else what is the point with the mermaid tops! Plus I would rather be safe than sorry and make them waterproof in case!

Thanks a ton!

[Mermaid Kelda]

I get a tonne of stuff from ebay and aliexpress. Quite often the shipping is free, too!

[Mermaid Nerida]

I like to get my stuff from amazon.com...