I agree with Raina and Isabella. The tails are amazing and an awesome thing for mers on a budget but logistically, making them all the time probably doesn't make much sense.
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I agree with Raina and Isabella. The tails are amazing and an awesome thing for mers on a budget but logistically, making them all the time probably doesn't make much sense.
.....I'm just going to say that I'm nevvvveeerrrrr going to get used to this aspect of the mermaiding community where $1000-1300 = an awesome tail for cheap. Those numbers terrify me as it is :jawdrop:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nmEzMvU9_w...white+flag.jpg
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-conte...13/02/nope.gif
Sad to see that happen to her.
I have a few question on colors, what she can and can't do. Would it be in her FAQ, or best to email her and see if she responds?
The quality of her basic tails are incredible, I can understand how she is underselling herself :) If I wasn't so determined to make my own tail this year, I would be saving up to get a performance tail from her :3 (although it would probably take me a few years to save... lol!!) because I'm IN LOVE with her work.
Speaking of in love with her work..MY TAIL IS FINISHED AND SHIPS OFF TOMORROW!!!!
she sent final pictures but I'm on my phone so I posted pictures to my facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Merma...89312624467463
Or that little blue F under my avatar if that link doesnt work. So happy!! The dorsal turned out awesome!
Omg Hyli, its beautiful!! :O <3
So pretty Hyli! I love that fluke shape :D
Eee! And your fishy to match! <3 So adorable.
Such a pretty tail.
Hyli ummmm wow O______O Those colors blend into a magical wonderland in my retinas. I LOVE the angler fluke on it.
Thanks everyone!!
Blondie that is one of the best explinations I've ever read hahaha!
SO PRETTY!!
AHMAGAHD I want one a Merbellas tail sooooooo bad. I've just started to save for one and now that I've read the last page or two here I'm disappointed. I would probably have to save for years (very poor college student) in order to afford a performance tail...if I'm doing my math right.. Even though they're freaking amazing and would probably be a better choice in the long run.
On another note, does anyone know if the Ariel fluke mold on her photo gallery on facebook will become one of the standard fin shapes? It's so pretty. Or was it just for that particular customer?
Don't quote me on this, but I'm fairly certain that was a custom fluke. A lot of tail makers have to be careful when making "Ariel" tails because of Disney. Bigger tail makers have to be especially careful, so as long as they label it right, they're okay. You can always talk to her about making a fluke like that. (It will be an extra charge, though. My custom fluke was $250 on top of the base price)
Edit: sickrant
Kakarotte - Hrm?
:jawdrop:I got my first pictures!!!!
I saw those on FB Ariel. <3 Congrats!!! It looks gorgeous!!!
Actually we only did a color tweak once, for one color. The turquoise color I requested that were highlights (down the center of the tail and bit on the end of the fluke) wouldn't take/show up, so she made it green in an attempt to get it to show up, which didn't look good to me. I got those first pics 165 days in, then the color change pics 5 days later (I understand she had only done one side at that point) then another message 4 days later making sure she could move on with attaching fins and doing the clear sparkle coat, so I'm assuming at that point she had both sides done with the color tweak. 4 days after that she said she'd have it done "next week". It's been a week since then, so I'm hoping it's near completion. I know the weather is crazy and other factors go into it for sure, but it is frustrating seeing other basic and performance tails that were ordered after mine go out before mine. Especially since I have a big gig coming up. I swear I'm trying to be patient! I know as soon as I get it I'll be doing practice in the pool and putting it on and taking it off every day of the week so I know how to handle it for the gig. Last thing I need to do is tear something because I didn't know how to handle my tail at my first gig X_x I'll be in a tank for the first time so that will be interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
I thought those were yours! Congrats Ariel :)
Ahh! So lovely :)
And that's slightly distressing, to hear about the basic tails possibly being discontinued. I certainly understand the reasons why she would do it, but it's still a little heartbreaking since that's the one I could hopefully save up for. If she does discontinue them, I just hope there'd be a sort of "last call" period to order one before they go... I can't imagine a time in the next four or five years where I'd have $3000 to spare, but I'd be able to scrape up the $1000, and it'd be worth it.
Such a pretty color.
I know what you mean.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kakarotte
It's a lot to whip up for "a costume", but if you consider how much for example a good wetsuit plus monofin alone would cost, and put the work of art that is a pretty tail on top, you can see why 1000 bucks suddenly isn't much at all.
That said, as long as you don't plan on earning money with your mermaiding, a cheap tail is more than enough to swim and have fun in :)
Not to say you shouldn't invest in a pretty tail of course, if you have the money and feel like it!
There are other hobbies that are far more expensive than mermaiding.
Musicals and Opera come to mind :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by caltuna
That's why I was willing to "drop" so much money on a tail: I plan on using it for many many things! Environmental awareness, parties, fundraiser events, ren faire, ocean swimming(Gotta have something that'll hold up), acting, modelling, and just so much more! It is just such a gem of happiness in my otherwise... Well, really not-so-great life. (Not gonna get into woe is me, if you want the story - message me. But be warned might contain long messages).
I'm hoping it can help me achieve a sense of independence from my otherwise constricting life. I feel so trapped where I am right now and I can see how the tail can help me swim to greater oceans.
<3 <3 It may not be the price for everyone, but I'm more than willing to pay it. ^_^
Also, try fundraising! And save up Christamas/Birthday money! ^_^ (Also, by the by, a 5 gallon bucket can hold about $1,500 in loose change. Just sayin'. ;-D )
Those are so pretty!
Gargh, now I'm really torn on the tail issue...even if she doesn't discontinue the Basics right away, it still gets me trying to think about what to do. I could list the pros, cons, and other thoughts here about Basic vs Performance vs other tail makers (money, durability, easy-to-get-on-ness, time to make, communication ease, etc etc ETC) but I know you all know those pros and cons very well.
And the rub is that technically I could afford a Performance, even though I'm trying to save up for other things (and emergencies) and my charity brain screams "but you could donate that to the Humane Society...way better than your measly 10$/month that you currently donate... and save a lot of kitties and puppies!" and my thrifty side says "you haven't spent that much on anything in your life!" and then the rational side says "oh yes you did, you dropped around 2,000 on yoga teacher training and do you teach yoga now? NOOOOO!!!" and then the charity side says "well, and I guess if you are donating your time to teaching kids how to save the environment then that's as good as donating money (but it won't save kitties and puppies)" and the rational side says "it's just money...people spend it all the time! If you are saving it for something else, why not let this be your something else" and then some other side, the rarely heard (from me) math brain says "hey, hey, guess what?... if you were super patient you could get about 2 Jesse tails for less than the price of one Raven tail...same materials!" and then says "oh yeah, and to make you feel worse you COULD get about 3 basic tails for the price of one Performance tail...ha ha ha ha ha...".
And that's just the money issue. And that's just PART of the money issue debate in my brain. This goes along with that whole "analysis paralysis" thing :)
OMG...that is exactly how my mind works too! Just substitute humane society for "homeless people" or "starving children in Appalachia" and yoga for "photography props I bought but have yet to use in shoots" and that would be me exactly!!! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by WavyMermaidy
I'm sorry about all that going on in your brain, Wavy! It sounds pretty nerveracking. The only thing I can really advise is that with the tail you will be able to make a bit of spare money, which you can easily donate to charity once you're there. <3
I'm squeeling of happyness! ^____^ I can't wait to recieve it at home!!
As for Raven stops with making the basic tails: To bad! :( But I understand otherwise; it takes alot of time to make them...
Just doing a little haopy dance over here :yay:
Raven is giving a shell top that matches my tail teheh so happy
awsome!!
Well, okay, now that other people are saying it, I'll say it too.
i would love a Raven tail. And I'm a freelance model like Raina, I would likely make money with it (although it would take me a very long time to make back $3600 that, between adult things like rent, vet bills, vehicle crap, and utilities, plus all this other stuff that always crops up by surprise when you're all growed up, I would never cough up in the first place). I'm stuck somewhere I hate for another 1 1/2 years, and this is something special that keeps my mind off of it.
I had this moment of clarity last night where I realized that, even if I dropped $1200 on a "cheap awesome tail," it would be vastly more than I spent on my gorgeous, custom-made ball gown wedding dress that was made of silk and beaded with genuine pearls. You know, the most important thing I've ever worn in my life. I....had a really hard time rationalizing that, on top of waiting for my husband's financial aid refund to come in while doing the math to see if, between his job, my paid medical study, Fae's surgery bill, our rent and utilities, and my mermaid tail, we will make it until the end of August. That's not really a bad few months, just normal life. It's not really a matter of intentionally wanting awesome work for what might be considered cheap to some, or saving up or waiting till life gets better. It's asking yourself if you can DO this without royally fucking up your family's finances. The answer for ME and my circumstances is probably, " Sorry hon, but no." Some people have the money or luck into it, most don't, and that's just the way it is.
Don't forget to read my post about effectively fundraising for your tail ;) ----> http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...-mermaid-tails
I keep seeing my $3600 figure pop up when talking about the performance tail. Please keep in mind that I paid $600 for extra features.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kakarotte
$75 per pair of extra fins (2 pairs)
$250 for a dorsal
$200 for a custom fluke design
$3600 is by no means her "normal" price. I just wanted to clear that up.
(Performance tails start at $3000 +S&H)
It's weird. Because I have Asperger's, I haven't been able to hold down a "real" job in about four years, I pretty much HAVE to generate income by thinking outside the box, ie modeling, financial aid refunds, applying for random scholarships, paying for my dog's surgery by participating in a medical study. I think I got stuck in the "money is not for fun" trap. Supported myself that way almost 100% up until I got married a year ago. Maybe it's because I had to support myself all those years without depending on family, friends, or a steady employer, but it's just so hard to get out of the mindset that "I really want this thing that to most people serves no functional life-sustaining purpose, so I HAVE to do this myself." I know a lot of people probably don't have that problem, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
I know that on here, people have saved up money from every little thing in order to get their tails and it takes a lot of effort for everyone. At the moment I'm a stay at home mum, and a university student and my partner has just returned to study so we're both on government payments, sending a kid to school, paying of bills, saving for a wedding and my tail. It's really hard work and I want to have a tail more than anything. I've wanted this since I was 3 and I feel I need to do for myself. It won't serve a function as far as generating an income or helping me in a future career (I'm studying nursing so no links between the two), but I must have one eventually.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kakarotte
and if it takes me a few years, it takes a few years.
I think I was referring more to asking for business grants, help from art communities, donations, etc. You know, generally sucking it up, swallowing your pride...and asking for help. *EEEEK!*
by all means, GET A TAIL.
I kind of feel the same way, Kakarotte. I was lucky, but if I hadn't been lucky, then I probably wouldn't have been able to save up money. I tried to save birthday and christmas money, but it usually goes to food or bills (or cats, yeesh). Though, I had planned on crocheting stuff and trying to sell that to save up for my tail, turns out I don't have to do that now, but I still want to get into selling my crocheting and maybe setting that money aside for accessories.
I also totally sympathise about the "holding a steady job" up until this past April, it was impossible for me to hold a job any longer than six months. I don't know if I have any particular reasoning why it's so difficult, but I just can't hold focus on it anymore and grow bored because I'm not thinking or being challenged, then I leave and try to find the next challenge. That's why I LOVE acting and (hopefully I'll do more) modelling. It's different every time! :D
I really hope things work out for you, and if you ever decide to start fundraising, and I have the money... I will donate! I promise!
Thanks, Kailani :3 It's absolutely amazing how fast money runs in all different directions!
ME: Yes! I got into this $4100 study! I can get a high-end tail!
DOG: *kneecap falls out of place* HA-HA! Nope!