The MerNation Thread

Wow it's beautiful! Their color blending has gotten so much better! I love seeing how the constantly push to improve their already awesome work!

I AM IN LOVE with that colorful tail! And the fluke! The colors are blended so well! Y'all peeps at Mernation gotta stop me from wanting more tails from you guys!


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OH MY LORD I'VE BEEN SLAIN!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍

New video of the fluke in water is up! It looks gorgeous in motion!

When MerNation first came about I wasn't the biggest fan of their first fluke (the circular ish one. Cant remember the name of it.) but the new fluke sculpts they've been releasing are incredible! The most recent fluke is GORGEOUS! And that rainbow/Lisa frank color scheme? [emoji178]


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Originally Posted by KateyMermaid

When MerNation first came about I wasn't the biggest fan of their first fluke (the circular ish one. Cant remember the name of it.) but the new fluke sculpts they've been releasing are incredible! The most recent fluke is GORGEOUS! And that rainbow/Lisa frank color scheme? [emoji178]


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I agree with this 100%. The MerNatiom classic fluke (the round one is my favorite). But I still love the others especially the Khalessi and the new Athena one, the give the tail such an etherreal fantasy look.

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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...843c6b79ea.jpg Hmmmm... but what does this seem to be? Filigree accents to a top? :DDDD I've daydreamed of ordering another top from them, specifically one sculpted like the ones from Mako/h2o.


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I love the tips from Mako/H2O too. That would be awesome if you got one like that.

Just saw this on Instagram and had to share...

https://instagram.com/p/BHkh37TDKeg/

❤️


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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c71a5f7ac4.png

What could this possibly be? My theory is a Silicone Lite tail.


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By silicone lite, do you mean like a neoprene/silicone option?

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Originally Posted by Vrindavana Starfish

I'd asked them about that I think a year ago when it first came up as a thing. It seemed like a really great idea, but the cost was about the same as a full silicone - maybe a little less - if I remember correctly.

Just found the email. Here are some of the questions I asked and their answers at the time (Dec 2014)

1) What kind of fabric do you use? Is it neoprene or something less buoyant? We just use a thick spandex, so it's definitely not buoyant. It's actually a little bit negative once it gets wet, just like regular bathing suit fabric. We also cover the mono fin in a thick felt like fabric, our "flipper slipper" (haha) which softens the edges of the foot pockets and harsh edges of the mono fin and makes the fluke thicker overall.


2) What is the mono-fin made of? Is it able to fold into the bag in the picture? If so, does it retain its shape or will it bend over time. Also, would it have any kind of propulsion? The mono fin is made of Lexan, a type of polycarbonate. It's what we make our fabric tail mono fins from. It does roll up on it self and fit into a bag. We haven't had any issues with it losing shape, nor have any of our fabric tail customers mentioned that it has warped. It can't be folded totally flat, but it is much more portable than a regular silicone fluke. I've personally used this tail quite a few times and found it has GREAT propulsion actually. It does feel a little different than the silicone fluke, but I would say very comparable to the finis wave or rapid.


3) If the mono fin is removable, would there be different options for that? I would like to be able to wear this in the ocean, and would need at least some power, although I don't expect to put a competitor on this fin. Yes it is removable, and we are thinking of offering different shapes. The fabric "shell" is permanently attached to the silicone body, but the inner mono fin is removable. The overall shape would have to be pretty simple, as we hand cut them out and need the fabric to fit over it like a sleeve (so it can't have a ton of little projections and sharp angles), but if you had a fluke design idea we would love to see it!


4) What would be the cost of custom fins and colors? My tail design has hip, ankle, and double dorsal fins, and lots of gradients. The body of the tail is able to be fully customized, just like our other silicone tails. This is why we are pretty sure we will be charging the same as other tails, $2500. The fluke actually takes more time and materials to make than a regular silicone fluke, so the cost and time for us is the same. With that in mind, custom colors/gradients are included in the price. Additional sets of fins are $100 and a dorsal is $250. If you send us a design idea we can give you an accurate quote for all the additional fins :) I'm sure it will be beautiful!

Their turnaround time from when I sent the email with my questions was practically instant - they are on top of their customer service! So if you send them an email, you'll hear back quickly.

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Here it is Katey!


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Originally Posted by KateyMermaid

By silicone lite, do you mean like a neoprene/silicone option?

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Not sure if my post got to you, but according the past posts on this thread, it would be a thick spandex and silicone.


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Returning from lurking in the coralwork to say that about a week ago I ordered my scale bra as an early gift while I save up for my tail.

I decided rather than my first concept for a top to have them re-create my handmade bra no matter the price tag. I have been getting progress photos and they're absolutely blowing me out of the water!

Here's my concept art I sent them:
Attachment 38600

I'll be doing an unboxing video when it finally arrives at my door. I'm just so overwhelmed because this is such a surreal experience. I can't wait to post photos here when it's finally done <3

Has anyone purchased a MerNation tail from overseas? I'm an Australian mer, and I love their stuff but am concerned about how the best way to get it made would be. Shipping a duct tape mold over would be expensive and could possibly be damaged, thus ruining the fit. But sending myself over there for the time isn't the most feasible option either.

Any ideas? Any one had an experience buying internationally?

A packing tape dummy travels flat just fine, and is very lightweight, so it wouldn't be much to mail it. Don't use duck tape, it's a sticky mess. I have my clients make cling film and clear packing tape mannequins.

My concern would be how much it's going to cost to ship you the finished tail!

That's good to know about the tape dummys! Glad they're not problematic.

Unfortunately shipping silicone tails to Australia is pricey, no matter where it comes from. It's something us aussie mers have to auto add to our tail cost. There is no way around it sadly.

My friend Ally has a mernation tail I could ask her for you if you'd like :)

That being said with my most recent Merbella tail I sent over a dummy and it only cost me like $20-30 and was fine

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Originally Posted by Mer-Crazy

My friend Ally has a mernation tail I could ask her for you if you'd like :)

That being said with my most recent Merbella tail I sent over a dummy and it only cost me like $20-30 and was fine

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Oh thank Neptune. I was thinking it was going to be more in the $200 - $300 to ship the dummy. How long has Ally had hers and does she love it? Hahah

Nah you send just the tape after you've cut it off and they fix it all up for you. I know she's had it for less than a year but she loves it, it super sturdy and holds up to a lot of roughness.

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Hi there! Just wanted to chime in really quick to ease your minds with shipping. Mer-Crazy is right, shipping the duct tape dummy should definitely not be "that" expensive! Feel free to roll/fold/stuff/cram or otherwise make it as small as possible to get it over to us. We compare the dummy to measurements so don't worry about deforming it or anything. Also, standard international shipping for us is $200 USD. However, depending on the weight of your tail it maaaaaaay be a tad more if it's got all the bells and whistles and is a bit heavier.

Hope this helps! Feel free to email us anytime with questions! TheMerNation@gmail.com

Does the same form of measuring apply for mermaid tops? I'm an Australian 12G/12H so have small frame and large bust. Could I send you a slightly flattened bust dummy with my tail dummy to ensure it fits?

We have not found that bust dummies work very well. In that case we just ask for very specific measurements regarding your bust and cup size to ensure the top will fit :)

I just sent in my ready to order email. A year of doing nothing but saving, and I'm so excited!!
The Mernation team, Erin especially, has been nothing short of patient and sweet! I've been in contact with them far longer than I have been working at my current job, so they've seen me raise money only to lose it due to emergencies. This time though, nothing held me back.
I purchased the matching top from them late last year and my gosh did they go above and beyond! I'm so happy that I chose Mernation to make my tail. The team's come such a long way and their work has been doing nothing but improving in leaps and bounds.
When production begins on my tail I'm going to be working towards getting a functional video editing software. My plans to edit the unboxing video for my top were unsuccessful so I have raw footage but no way to work with it. I definitely want to have an unboxing video for when my tail comes in.

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Originally Posted by Mernation

So, this is what happens when tail makers are waiting for paint to dry between coats and have extra scales lying around....haha

I think I'm in love!

Attachment 20570

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If I order a tail from you can I get a dress too? Lol

Uh do we have a pricing on custom arm bracers with fins?:confused:

Hey guys! I'm in need of quick help! I've been using conditioner as a lubricant for putting my tail on, and it's terrible for dry gigs! Does anyone know of any Mernation tail safe lubricant that won't dry on your legs??

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Originally Posted by The_MermaidBrianna

Hey guys! I'm in need of quick help! I've been using conditioner as a lubricant for putting my tail on, and it's terrible for dry gigs! Does anyone know of any Mernation tail safe lubricant that won't dry on your legs??

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Coconut oil is always a great option, just make sure you rinse out your tail throughly afterwards. Water based sex-lube is also an option since you can get it from most grocery stores (at least in my country) just make sure it's not silicone based. Another option my friends and I are fond of is sunscreen and then bring a spray bottle of just tap water and squirt it over the sunscreen.

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Production on my tail has begun! It's been about two years of me changing my mind as my design and budget adjusted. Before I was going to get a single-color until I pursued the thought of a custom color. Since Kelpie's already being made I figure it's safe for me to show her design on here~
Attachment 40655
I'm so glad I was able to get that dorsal fin in the end! The gold in it really helps tie in with the gold on the underside of the fluke.

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Saoirse

Production on my tail has begun! It's been about two years of me changing my mind as my design and budget adjusted. Before I was going to get a single-color until I pursued the thought of a custom color. Since Kelpie's already being made I figure it's safe for me to show her design on here~
Attachment 40655
I'm so glad I was able to get that dorsal fin in the end! The gold in it really helps tie in with the gold on the underside of the fluke.

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Omg its beautiful! I can't wait to see it when it's complete! Make sure you post it here once you get it!

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Ok i wanna see everyone's Mernation tails! Is this the place to do it? Why not? :D I will start! This is the first day I got my tail!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d0264f6b94.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d2d0029708.jpg

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My baby. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ab77a671d4.jpg


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My tail's finished!!!!! :cheerleader:
I'm going to give Mernation the honor of showing photos of her off on their IG and Facebook first so they can add their watermark- but she's absolutely gorgeous! Far exceeded my own concept and really brought Kelpie to life! Now to finish tracking down a good video editing software-

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Saoirse

My tail's finished!!!!! :cheerleader:
I'm going to give Mernation the honor of showing photos of her off on their IG and Facebook first so they can add their watermark- but she's absolutely gorgeous! Far exceeded my own concept and really brought Kelpie to life! Now to finish tracking down a good video editing software-

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I'm excited to see your new tail! I must have been next up in the cue because they are working on my tail now. Erin has been sending me updates almost every day. When they started pouring it (last wed) asking my input for the heel fins. They have sent pics of it once it has been put together and now they just sent pics of it starting to be painted. I'm so glad I decided to go with them! Its looking amazing! I was tempted to post some of the pictures but I kind of like keeping them to myself so it's a surprise when I finally can show everyone (plus it's respectful of MerNation to let them posts pics of their process).


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I have my MerNation tail!! I picked it up yesterday. It is even more amazing than I expected. I'll write a review after I've put it on and swam in it a few times. Quick timeline because I'm blown away by some of the posts on other tailmakers threads that they have wait times of several years... I understand that everyone's wait is going to be different based on so many variables but my experience with MerNation was phenomenal! March 1st: I sent MerNation an email saying I was ready to order a tail but had a zillion questions and asked if I could meet them in person. March 6th: Met with them in person and they answered my zillion questions. I confirmed I wanted them to make my tail & they did all the things to start the order. March 8th: Sent cashier's check in the mail. March 11: Erin confirmed they received the check. ....then I waited. I knew they were going out of town for at least a week and that they were working on other orders (amazing correspondence). March 29: Received a text that they were pouring my tail. March 30: Confirmed heel fin shape. April 1: Received pics of tail assembly. April 2: Pics of base color painted. April 3: Pics of color blending. I confirmed color of skin tone for blended waist wrap. I had some last minute changes... April 4: Erin had a last minute suggestion that I instantly agreed on. April 5: The tail, top, & waist wrap were ready for pick up. I got there as quick as I could to get them! Once the tail making began they kept in constant contact with updates and discussion. I received over 40 pics and several videos of the tail while it was being made but once I saw it in person it was a million times more beautiful!! I'm slowly posting better pics on my IG "mermaidaerialprincess" but this is me trying it on for the first time last night [emoji38] https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0911d71ad1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0dff1e57e1.jpg


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Originally Posted by Mermaid Saoirse

My tail's finished!!!!! :cheerleader:
I'm going to give Mernation the honor of showing photos of her off on their IG and Facebook first so they can add their watermark- but she's absolutely gorgeous! Far exceeded my own concept and really brought Kelpie to life! Now to finish tracking down a good video editing software-

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Is it Kelpies fluke they just posted to instagram?

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Originally Posted by WaterDragon

Is it Kelpies fluke they just posted to instagram?

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Yep! I'm so happy with her eyespots. Erin wanted to break up the shape and make it more organic. She absolutely blew my mind with it.

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Saoirse

My tail's finished!!!!! :cheerleader:
I'm going to give Mernation the honor of showing photos of her off on their IG and Facebook first so they can add their watermark- but she's absolutely gorgeous! Far exceeded my own concept and really brought Kelpie to life! Now to finish tracking down a good video editing software-

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Saoirse

Yep! I'm so happy with her eyespots. Erin wanted to break up the shape and make it more organic. She absolutely blew my mind with it.

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If the body looks half as awesome as the fluke your tail is going to be jaw dropping.

I'm enjoying the suspense that's building as everyone waits to see full photos of my tail on Mernation's instagram ahahaha.
Still considering how to handle editing my tail unboxing since I'd been sick/had just gotten home from work and forgot to mention the reinforced waist and a few other things. It's not too much of a concern but I still feel silly. I'd even written notes to keep in mind while doing the unboxing ahaha. Totally went off script and look a little emotionally dead. Sinus infections are no one's friend.

EDIT: I finished it last night so here we go!

https://youtu.be/Mfo0hMHqbEM

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Saoirse

I'm enjoying the suspense that's building as everyone waits to see full photos of my tail on Mernation's instagram ahahaha.
Still considering how to handle editing my tail unboxing since I'd been sick/had just gotten home from work and forgot to mention the reinforced waist and a few other things. It's not too much of a concern but I still feel silly. I'd even written notes to keep in mind while doing the unboxing ahaha. Totally went off script and look a little emptionally dead. Sinus infections are no one's friend.

EDIT: I finished it last night so here we go!

https://youtu.be/Mfo0hMHqbEM

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Oh my God this tail is yours??? WOW!! I saw it this morning in Instagram and even my BF said it's just STUNNING!!