So just curious... what constitutes as 'long haul'?
Trying not to get my hopes up for no reason... :sweat drop:
Printable View
So just curious... what constitutes as 'long haul'?
Trying not to get my hopes up for no reason... :sweat drop:
Well I'm going on 2 years as well as a few others who are even longer than I am.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
yeah I think there's about 4 or 5 who are going on 2 years- that at her priority tails right now. I know we've got one for mermaid mimi that is at 13 months and will likely be at least a year and a half by the time it gets done if not longer.
Some of the longer haul ones (such as Tia's) are elaborate designs and she's adjusted her process a number of times so though it's been a long wait I suspect those tails will be much better thanks to the skills learned.
Take my tail for example, it just turned 2. I had the first commercial blended waist. And she just re did it for me at the 2 year mark. drastically improved and much more durable since the first version!
The nice thing about Raven is she goes above and beyond with extras to make up for the wait. it's just so hard to wait!
I'm going on two years as well, I ordered in June of 2015. Still, it's probably best to just not think about it until I hear something, just in case she hasn't gotten to mine yet. ^~^
2 years 7 months for me. Apart from Tia's I'm under the impression I'm the next longest.
I can't believe you are still waiting for your tail Mer-Crazy! Not cool! :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Mer-Crazy
Sent from my SM-G360G using Tapatalk
It's okay :) a lot of it really was just a matter of finding the right design. Raven drew a bunch of sketches for me, if I had known my design from the get go I probably would have had it around the same time Ariel Starfiah got her tail. And she was testing out and developing the colour changing paint for me as well so that added to the time. Technically speaking it was only put together around Christmas (that's when they asked for measurements) so if I go off that time I haven't been waiting too long :)
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
My girlfriend and I put orders in on back to back weeks so we're at approximately 293/284 days respectively. We're still babies in the waiting game but we're on the list of orders out. It's been a great motivator for me, I have lost close to 30 lbs and gained a ton of muscle preparing myself for a tail.
way to go. I feel so bad you all have waited so long. All I know is she always makes sure the people willing to be patient like that get awesome treatment and amazing tails :D I'll be happy when you're all caught up tho lol
Hey folks if you didn't see yet, Raven added someone new to her company to take over online stuff so she can focus more on the tail making!
Quote:
Hey guys!
We are so very excited to announce that we have officially brought on a new member to our tiny team! I’d like everyone to meet our new assistant, Tori https://www.facebook.com/images/emoj.../1/16/2764.png❤️
Tori has been my very best friend for many years and has agreed to join the business to help us better communicate with clients and manage our social media accounts! She will be taking over all client communications for us so we can spend more time making your beautiful tails and less time on the computer. We are working now to get her up to speed on all orders but please be patient with us during this transition period.
We know our minimal communication can be very stressful for our clients so we are really excited and grateful to have her help. We really hope this will help cut down on our extremely lengthy production times a bit. You are all so incredible, and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support!
Raven
She's already doing her job, she replied to one of the emails I sent them a few weeks ago and I said aloud "who's Tori?" Lol Glad to hear there's a new member.Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
Raven went with The House of Flynn to Mexico. Check out the gorgeous Mandarinfish Inspired tail Raven was wearing!!! See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSAI7pJAu1y/
Ugh the one on the right is my favorite tail from Raven. They both look so amazing!
The tail on the right is definitely one of my top faves. It is hard for me to pick my favorite Merbella tail!
What makes me happy is The House of Flynn regularly posts photos and video of that tail so you can kinda follow the life of the tail. That tail gets to go on more adventures than I do lol.
Believe it or not raven's tail was one of her clownfish tails she remade. She was in mexico for all of 2 days btw, she felt too guilty staying any longer while people were waiting for their tails!
Looks like Tori is taking no prisoners, she posted on The Merbellas fan page today already that there might be a mini spring pre-made Headdresses and Tops. VERY cool! Look like Merbellas is full steam ahead into Spring 2017.
I am thrilled Raven got to go to Mexico with HOF. I follow HOF and I am in their facebook group for photography and networking reasons, I also bought one of their HOF Tail Bags and it's amazing. The owner Maureen is a tail collector and a freediver and an all around amazing swimmer I love seeing her videos.
Doing a photoshoot in the Cenotes in Mexico where they were swimming in my tail is like a huge bucket list item for me.
I know right? I'd love to go there!
I'm dying of jealousyyyyy, that picture is everything<3
I've actually been to Mexico twice and got to bring my fabric tail to a cenote. It was one of the best experiences ever, and I'm considering becoming a cave-dwelling mermaid instead of ocean-dwelling because of it. ^^
If I actually get my tail this year I'll try to go again.... fingers crossed.....
Today I hit my 2 year mark!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'll be at two years and a month tomorrow ;).
Now i don't know if any of you remember back when the rainbow tail set came out i said that that was my top design, that's because my whole tail is inspired by the H2O shapes. I ordered a custom fluke from raven which i know she said was hard to sculpt but the result was amazing... but today i saw Kariel made a very similar custom fluke and the design is similar too (from what i can tell from the sketch). Obviously it isn't anyones fault as the inspiration is public but I'm just a little bummed that they will be getting the tail sooner and might look like i copied them:(
I've never ever seen kariel accuse someone of copying. And I have seen her take inspiration from other mers. I mean her whole method is based on Pearlie's method. So I wouldn't worry. kariel is really nice and not petty about things like that so don't worry
4 hours ago Merbellas opened up spots for 2 custom tails giving Raven creative freedom with no set completion schedule to get their new employee Tori some live practice. Im about 99.9% sure the spots are filled by now, but just wondering if any lucky merfolk in here snagged the spots.
I sent an email. I was several hours behind though, so if they're going in order, I doubt I will be first in line :( But i've been anxiously checking her page for the last year as I wait for her to reopen orders--and had been saving up for 3 years before that. I have well over enough money to buy one now, and have thought about going with Finfolk instead on multiple occasions, but there's just something about Raven's tails specifically that stirs my heart the way others don't quite. Maybe because hers were the first I really saw and were what made me fall in love with mermaiding/make my own tail four years ago.
If not me, I hope at least someone else on the forum gets a slot!!! So we can see update photos :)
Ah. I'm so anxious. I know it's a shot in the dark... but I have all the money, and am happy to pay it upfront, even with a long wait... my plan has always been to give Raven large artistic freedom anyway since my favorite tails are the ones she designs for herself, but ahg. Really trying not to get my hopes up.
Edit: i did the math and almost FIVE years now, wow... time flies!!!
I hope you get the spot, Jadestone!
I am curious though, does Raven ever send update pics? I figured she doesn't send them because she doesn't want to reveal her tail making secrets to anyone.
At the very least, I haven't gotten any. Update pictures would be so lovely though...
You don't get update pics no. Usually just when she's finished painting to see if you like it or want anything changed.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
Yeah, I meant general updates, not just pics--I like reading people's progress and seeing them get excited as it gets closer to completion :) And also photos of the design sketch if people choose to post them and the ones after it's been painted.
Anyway, I didn't get a reply, so I assume I was too late. Sigh. Maybe next time, in a year or two, I guess.
I got a couple of updates, not too many though. Mostly just 'were about to build your body please send updated measurements' and then 'painting almost done' haha
Obviously though if I had questions or if she had questions we'd communicate but nothing like 'were pouring your fins this week/month' or 'we did the seams today' etc.
Not that I minded that much :) I knew I'd get my tail when it was ready and I wasn't in too much of a rush.
Also, if a forum person gets it, we're much likely to see lots of photos afterwards, an unboxing video, etc! Not so much things like "your silicone is curing!" That half is really want I like watching--Raven is very very busy and we don't get much of a glimpse into her process, but once the tail is in the owner's hands there's usually lots of pics and videos here. Instead of seeing the completed version posted on fb and then it disappearing into the abyss of facebook--maybe that's on me for not spending a lot of time combing facebook for mermaid accounts/photos, I'm just lazy and like to have them posted directly into the forum for my eyeballs to enjoy lol. I lurk mostly these days because my work schedule has me out in the desert with no service in the work week so I just scroll here for new photos on the weekends and don't have time to talk much these days.
Anyway--she posted a comment last night saying she was going to read through and pick designs she felt inspired by. I kept my original message pretty short and sweet assuming it was a first-come-first-serve thing, but I sent a reply with a little extra detail this morning. I wish I'd put it in the original because I really hate to bother her with more emails (and maybe she'd picked two already between when she posted and when I saw the comment), so I'm done sending anything for now. Trying to stay resigned to the fact I probably won't get it but I can't help compulsively checking. Wherp.
Ohhhhhh like post-production updates haha. That went right over my head clearly haha.
Yeah but it happens sometimes with forum members too sadly. They get the tail and you'll see then for a little bit and then nothing. I totally get it, not everyone is a professional mermaid and might not keep their social media updated or there are problems with the tail or personal life stuff. I'm guilty of doing it. Got my starry night tail years ago and have no videos in it and only 2 photo shoots to show for it because the tail didn't fit. Hopefully I'll be better with my new tail haha.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
UPDATE: I GOT ONE OF THE SLOTS!!!!!!!!!
As soon as I saw a reply in my inbox I started shaking! I'm so excited right now. I promise I'll post updates once I get it at least!!! Even though that's probably at least two years away. But that's fine. I'll happily take it!! ^^
Oh man now I really just don't know what to do with myself. I feel like I've been working towards this for the last four years and it's finally here. I think I need to go for a walk or something to calm down haha!!
Aaaahhhh!!!!! That's so amazing! So awesome!!!
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
CONGRATS, THAT'S SO AWESOME!!! :yay:
Post production updates makes wayy more sense, that went over my head too. I'll definitely be posting a lot of mine when I get it.
I definitely agree, I am such a fan of Merbellas and am absolutely ravenous for photos and videos of Raven's work. I love the idea of that Merbellas updates thread that was started, but not too many people have posted on it. :( Ah well, hopefully it'll pick up.
Jade I was talking with Raven earlier and she said she was going to pick you haha :D
I dont think raven has taken any custom orders since last May. Maybe 1 or 2? Just selling off premade stuff while she caught up on all her current orders.
I know she's hit the long haul people now and just constantly working. we caught up for about 5 minutes this weekend and she poofed again to work on tails!
I am so excited to see the results.
@mermaid Vee I think you mean my design? The orange tail with the pineapples in the water? If you do mean mine:
1. Its not a custom fluke, its the chiffon fluke (which doesnt look like the h2o fluke at all haha ) ;-)
I just wanted the orange colors from h2o.
2. I dont think anyone will accuse you of copieing it, since the h2o is not MY design like you said its public. Mertailor even made one I think three years ago or so.
You really dont have to worry both our tails are inspired by the same tail but i promise you they will look comletely different ;-)
In fact Im really excited to see yours :-D
That's so exciting!! If I had the money I totally would have gone for it too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jadestone
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jadestone
Yay!!!
Congrats Jade!! Cannot wait to see what you've come up with!!!
Anyone know who got the other slot? I emailed within minutes of the post being up, so I definitely had to be one of the first emails received. Super bummer it wasn't a first come first serve thing!
I too have been waiting for a tail from Raven since the first mermaid convention back in 2011. I met Raven, she let me try on her octopus top and touch her amazing glittery tail LOL So funny that that was over 6 years ago and back then when her tails were only in the $1,000 range (which I thought was a lot!) and here I am today begging to throw thousands at her! Her work is just amazing.
I still have my fins crossed that I got the other slot. Especially since my current tail has to be retired, and I spent a pretty penny on that :(
@Jadestone yay! So excited for you! Also excited for ME because i get to see more unboxing videos in the future ;)
I've been offline from mernetwork for awhile but I'm back and with exciting news... After my initial email on Wed, 30 Sep 2015...My tail is finally ready for shipping!!!! Pics to come soon xx
:yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay::yay: :yay::yay:
Yay @Jadestone that is so awesome! Can't wait to hear about your progress.
Yey! Glad to have another Merbella sister down under <3