Starting new swimmable urethane tail!

[Sirenade]

Hi Everyone!

I have ordered a swimmable urethane tail from Thom Shouse and will be helping him with making it starting today! I will try to take pictures of the process (but can't give away his trade secrets obviously) and will keep the forums up to date on its progress.

I have been saving up for almost 10 years for this when I found Thom's website 10 years ago and realized I could get my own tail. This is obviously a dream come true for me! I have had the opportunity to do photoshoots in one of his "dry" latex tails (same mold, lighter materials, no monofin) and got to swim in it briefly (not meant for extended water use due to latex not being meant for swimming in).

The color scheme will be a blue on the back fading into green on the sides, fading into yellow/gold on the front. I will be helping out with the casting and painting process due to Thom's limited mobility and because he is super awesome like that.

This will be my first realistic swimmable tail!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Wow! This sounds exciting! Good luck and I will be looking forward to some pictures

[AniaR]

very exciting congrats

[Mermaid Lorelei]

^{Congratulations on the great news!}

[Mermaid Dottie]

Oh! Heaven!

[Spindrift]

How is this project going? Anyone know?

[Sirenade]

Things have been delayed due to Mer-palooza and my own work schedule and recent move. Things should be picking up again soon!

[Sirenade]

We started on the tail awhile ago, but I never got a chance to load pictures. The progress has been going slowly due to my busy schedule and limited time for visiting Thom. Plus, he has been recovering from a knee surgery (he can dance again now!).

This is starting the process for cleaning the molds and putting in the primer.



Here is me dusting the fluke mold before putting in the primer.



These are the tail molds all drying.



One half of the fluke molded!

[FreshWaterMermaid]

So awesome! I remember when I first came across mermaid rentals website. I was floored and would visit it every day lol
I think I even email Thom back forth for ahwile asking him annoying tail questions ^_^ and telling him about mine... silly girl I was

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[spottedcatfish]

It's going to look great. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Sirenade]

The first layers of urethane drying in the mold.




Adding in a layer of stretch fabric to the urethane to prevent tearing.

[malinghi]

We started on the tail awhile ago, but I never got a chance to load pictures. The progress has been going slowly due to my busy schedule and limited time for visiting Thom. Plus, he has been recovering from a knee surgery (he can dance again now!).

I'm super stoked about your tail, but can you give an update on Thom? How are his knees? That's great that he can dance again.

[Ariel-Starfish]

ooh I'm super exited for you!

[Sirenade]

Thom had his knee surgery a few months ago, was using a walker, then crutches, then just a cane. Now, he can get around without using any assistance! He still has his cane for longer expeditions, but is completely mobile again!

[MerEmma]

So glad for him! I'm glad he's doing good.

How's the tail going?

[Sirenade]

I have a lot of update photos to post, but I am not sure how to get them from my phone to the forums. When I figure it out, get ready for pic spam with progress photos! At this point, all that is left is the final paint job.

It has taken so long because I made it clear to Thom that I wanted to help out with the process. I have been pretty busy with life, work and everything, so that makes for slow progress.

[AnnaAbyss]

Awesome news I'm so happy for you.

[Sirenade]

Painting process has started!

[ShyMer]

Cool! Glad to see this tail is still happening. I get how it can take all of forever though, what with life and all. Still waiting on those photos

[Sirenade]

Tail is done and home! I have so many pictures to post, but they are mostly on my phone. I need to figure out how to get them on here and then there will be pic spam!