I feel like Raven should have a fanpage. I know she's super busy with all the Merbella's stuff and doesn't get to go on FB very much but still... I feel like yeah, Merbella's is awesome but we need a page purely for Raven appreciation.
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I feel like Raven should have a fanpage. I know she's super busy with all the Merbella's stuff and doesn't get to go on FB very much but still... I feel like yeah, Merbella's is awesome but we need a page purely for Raven appreciation.
Yeah, apparently my tail needed a LOT more done to it than we thought. :-S I'm glad we caught it before I kept stretching it, though. Raven is so wonderful!
I know she was eager to get her hands on it!! I picked it right out of the pile lol
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Ania, I PMed you.
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Totally out of the blue, and the page still needs some work etc. But I made a Fundraiser page for my full silicone tail by Merbella Studios.
Please go and have a look <3 :$
http://www.gofundme.com/7pit3s
I am still seeing the post, unless you are talking about a different one? I sent an e-mail on the 14th with the title READY TO ORDER, but never got a reply. I'm really bummed that I might have missed my chance to order a tail, I am sick of my crappy Mertailor tail and have been wanting to get into the mermaiding business. Raven is the only tailmaker I feel I can trust, but I'm not sure I can wait forever for a new tail :(. Also if the Facebook posts are the way they choose clients it seems a bit unfair since Facebook doesn't even show you all the posts from pages you have liked anymore. Not sure what a better system would be though. Ugh, what to do....Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
It's not so much that Facebook posts are 'the way they chose clients', this is actually the first time I've seen it posted on FB that she had slots available (and I get notifications every time Merbella posts something). Usually it's just luck I'm assuming. Someone happens to message her at a time when she has a slot open and she happens to look at your email. Once again I say Raina will be able to tell you better, I'm just kind of going off what I've seen or read. I know many people, myself included, have been trying to order tails for months from Raven. Personally I have my partial, so I'm happy to wait as long as it takes.Quote:
Originally Posted by leeloo
Really folks I know it is frustrating but it just is what it is. There's no trick. She takes em when she can. There's just no time for anything else she has the highest demand. Keep an eye out for eBay tails in the coming months.
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Ah, I see, guess I misunderstood. It would be cool if Raven took in some apprentices to learn how to make tails and expanded their business. I've noticed the tail prices have gone up too, used to be $1000 for the basic tails, now it's $1500. I'm hoping it doesn't go up again by the time I'm able to/if I can get slot, I'm already pushing it affordability wise. I'm sure she could get away with raising prices though because there is such a high demand and lets face it, she makes amazing tails. I'll start researching other tail makers though because I really need a new tail. Thanks for your responses though, and Raina you're such a sweetheart for helping Raven with updates :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Selene
I think she tried to hire someone to help once - it didn't work out.Quote:
Originally Posted by leeloo
As for prices, she's actually dropped the price of the performance tail and raised the price of the basic. The reason is that performance tails are easier to make when compared to basic tails. Basic tails are incredibly difficult to seam, bond, etc. and even though they're "basic" people still hold them to the same standards as the performance tails - like for instance, expecting perfect seams....
So they're a lot of work, and her prices are reflecting this now that she's in demand.
I didn't even notice the performance tail prices went down, I haven't been looking at them because I know there is no way I could afford one! And the basic tails look so amazing anyway I wouldn't feel like I am missing out too much with "just" a basic tail.
I know a lot of people have tried to make extended tails before and could'nt quite get it right, but I feel that Raven is so talented that she could get it. Her current tails are so perfect as it is, so I doubt she'll try an extended anytime soon. But just thinking about it makes me smile. lol
I think part of why the prices on the basics went up it because (I'm pretty sure but not positive) she makes them with competitors now and those are more expensive. Plus they take a lot more work to make.
Would there be any spot open for a half tail repaint? Yes, half - no joke :p
I have send out an email - but no luck yet :(
Maybe look into some newer tailmakers? Jessica is doing some fabulous work, as are a few others. Raven seems to be operating at maximum capacity for the foreseeable future. I realize this is the Merbella thread, but there are other options, in my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by leeloo
Agrred with Pearlie, FinFolk for instance are doing great work.
"Life's full of TOUGH CHOICES, I'NNIT?" :cthulhu: (Sorry; couldn't resist quoting Ursula....)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid Selene
I shall always say: the more I read about Raven Sutter and Merbella Studios, the more miraculous it seems that I was able to successfully order (and pay for!) a Performance Tail on my first try! I hope you all are able to get slots when you most desire/need them; you shall all be in my prayer (though the prayers will also be for even more important things, too....) :mermaid kiss:
I can second this. I would have loved to have a tail from Merbellas (and had saved and waited for one) but the wait time was too long, and even then- there was no guarantee that I would even make it on the production list for the next group. It's just what happens when supply falls well short of demand.Quote:
Originally Posted by SurlySeaNymph
Finfolk have a bit of a wait time, but were easy to get my order in- and did a great job on my tail (It gets here tomorrow! :D)
I would also like to point out- Still a huge fan of Raven's work, and I am in now way telling you to abandon all hope of ever getting a tail. But if you were like me- and impatient; Finfolk is a great alternative.
I've been looking at Finfolk. It is much more than I wanted to spend, but they at least have a payment plan option.
Anyone heard from Raven, since I've seen my pictures I'm getting more and more excited about her shipping it soon :) I think she was off preforming but I'm not sure is she's back yet and I don't want to email her as she has already done so much for me <3 just if anyone has heard anything that would be great <3
I chatted with her yesterday she hasn't come up for air this whole week. Lol she's just working her arse off I checked to make sure she's alive.
A lot of times when you get your photo it Is one side of your tail. She confirms you like before painting the other. Not sure if that's the case for you but it typically Is.
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Oh okay excellent thanks Raina, yeah like I said I was pretty sure she has been working really hard and I didn't want to bother her with an email going " are you alive and have you come back from performing" lol I really hope she takes holiday soon honestly she deserves it haha Tyler should are her to Hawaii or something so she can spend a week swimming in coastal reefs in a mermaid tail rather then working waist high in them hahah
She sent me a message on the 19th, and said I should see pics on Monday. Nothing yet though. Very excited and I hope to hear from her soon. day 226 :)
Do not worry, she's just probably busy. I got an update about my tail from the Finfolk ladies a week later than what was originally planned.Quote:
Originally Posted by shimmygoddess
So all we have to do is just waiting ;)
We really gotta put the finfolk posts in the finfolk thread. I think the odd reference in other tail maker threads are fine for instance when comparing but there have been a lot of finfolk posts here in the past little while. This is my thread for Raven ;). ( and I love the finfolk gals I met em, I'd say this if it was someone else too)
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Yeah that was pretty much my message to her. Did you die in the mermaid cave??? Lol
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My bad, Raina. I just wanted to show some support. I edited my previous answer. Is it better now? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
Careful; in this business such a statement is usually taken literally. :lol::mermaid kiss: I last heard from Raven on the 16th when she told me that she was "still pouring and casting all the pieces and haven't started construction yet" in reference to my tail/top (and probably those of quite a few others!). I have paid for my mermaid tail yet am still awaiting an invoice for the matching custom scale top/corset, yet knowing how very busy she is I am willing to wait as long as necessary!Quote:
Originally Posted by AniaR
Assuming the price of the top is less than 1,000 USD, I should be able to pay the instant the invoice arrives (I can even go higher if need be; I have been very careful about saving up). Raven is just so amazing at everything she does, I am happy to wait to make her life easier despite my mounting excitement!
For those of you wondering about the wait times, her projected times now between Order Placement and Completion are between 200 and 300 days. It's only Day 34 for me, so I'm glad patience is a virtue!
Thank you for keeping us so informed, and being so concerned for your friend, Raina! :mermaid kiss:
yes I'm glad she updated her wait times. I think the old ones were just too hard with all the variables for her to manage with how perfect she likes things to be.
Quick question, but I saw somewhere on the Merbellas Facebook page that her Angler fluke design is only available on her performance tails. Is this true, or are they available on the basic tail as well?
Basic tails only have one fluke option the 'basic one' all other flukes are only available with the performance.
Attachment 19738
i believe the basic tail only uses the basic fluke and if you want the other ones you need to upgrade to the performance.
No, that's been changed. Outdated. She can alter the shape of the basic fluke, but not the detail. If you see on her page you can see the less-detailed flukes (not so thick ridges?) and different shapes. So she could probably do the outline of the angler, but not the depth.
ooh ok
Ahh, okay! :D Thanks!
Yes, MerEmma is right! Raven 'shaped' my fluke to the performance fluke, and it even has ridges in it, so there are a few possibilities! :D
Ok scince this tread is a little dead (lol) I would like to post something here:
I really hope Raven trows some of the Merbella shirts on Etsy soon! (the ones she gives on photoshoots).
as a European Merbella fan I really would like one <3 I would wear it with proud :D
Btw this is the one I'm talking about.
:jawdrop: YAY OMG GUYS!
My tail will be on its way back from Raven today/tomorrow!
I'll finally be able to do my review on Merbella Studios also.
And I know everyone's been wondering what she's doing to my tail.
Tail Morph/Tail Evolution/Tail Upgrade! Whatever you want to call it! She did it!
So I had some size issues with my basic tail because I'm curvy and it's made with neoprene. Not Raven's or my fault, Raven just can't take neoprene in too much smaller than the measurements you send her, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get it on.
Since performance scales are stretchier, I asked her to change my basic tail to a hybrid tail (basic fluke, performance scales) Performance scales mean they are made at slightly smaller measurements than what you send her because it's so stretchy. We came to the conclusion performance scales are going to fit my body type better and tighter.
And since it's performance scales, I was able to have her add fins.
So I have the first basic tail morph to a hybrid tail with fins :yay: I was a little worried it might not work, or turn out right.
This was also a rush order, which is why it's getting back to me so fast.
All I can say is WOW! Raven is so amazing!
She's also making me something special, which I think is going to kinda be a first in the mermaid world. It wasn't done yet, so I told her just to hang onto it along with the rest of my order. Hoping to have it soon, but I told her to keep working on it because I'd rather her keep it and see what all she does to it.
It's going to be super freaking awesome though guys!
Anyways here's some photos!
Before!
Attachment 19782
AFTER!
Attachment 19779
Attachment 19780
Attachment 19781
I can't really judge the coloration from before to after via the photos. I'll have to see if the color is any different once it gets here.
But I'm thinking probably not. Most likely the photos are just making it look super red.