★ The Accessory Making FAQ ★

[MermaidSabrina]

I'm just curious because I'm not gonna take any risks and have a disgusting top,would 84% spandex be okay? (Sorry for awkwardly entering the thread,I'd just rather be safe than sorry )

[Winged Mermaid]

I don't see why not! I can't tell you the exact fabrics to go for percentage wise, you just kind of have to feel the fabric. If it helps the bras I use are 80% Nylon/20% Spandex

[Spindrift]

No love for my question

[AmbrGlows]

Was thinking of using a roll of burlap (like those ribbons) to use as backing for hair accessories. Can anyone confirm that this will hold up? The alternative is felt, which I have seen used before. I'm worried about mold. Thanks!

Will the burlap be visible? Any backing will show wear and tear over time.

I hope that helps.

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[Spindrift]

Will the burlap be visible? Any backing will show wear and tear over time.

I hope that helps.

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It would only be visible for the parts directly up against someone's hair. I was more worried about mold rather than wear and tear

[AmbrGlows]

It would only be visible for the parts directly up against someone's hair. I was more worried about mold rather than wear and tear

Hmm, I would think so long as the piece was rinsed thoroughly after use...especially after salt and fresh water swims...and allowed to fully air dry before being put away they would be okay.

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[Spindrift]

Hmm, I would think so long as the piece was rinsed thoroughly after use...especially after salt and fresh water swims...and allowed to fully air dry before being put away they would be okay.

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Thank you! I guess we'll just see how this goes :3

[AmbrGlows]

Thank you! I guess we'll just see how this goes :3

Best of luck to you.

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[Winged Mermaid]

No love for my question

Sorry Spindrift! Slipped through the cracks :P I haven't used any burlap, but craft felt I haven't had any mold issues with at all. It's "acrylic felt" so it's mostly plastic anyways. Also, I find that the glue permeates the felt and makes it even more non absorbent. Just go for the cheap rough/plasticy feeling felt and not the more fabricy felt (the kind that comes in pre cut squares in case you're unaware). It doesn't tend to hold water and seems to dry quickly.
I always rinse my accessories after, pat them dry, and let them air dry completely before storing them anywhere. That helps too

[AmbrGlows]

Anyone have any thoughts on head accessories for a mermaid with little to no hair?

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[Spindrift]

Sorry Spindrift! Slipped through the cracks :P I haven't used any burlap, but craft felt I haven't had any mold issues with at all. It's "acrylic felt" so it's mostly plastic anyways. Also, I find that the glue permeates the felt and makes it even more non absorbent. Just go for the cheap rough/plasticy feeling felt and not the more fabricy felt (the kind that comes in pre cut squares in case you're unaware). It doesn't tend to hold water and seems to dry quickly.
I always rinse my accessories after, pat them dry, and let them air dry completely before storing them anywhere. That helps too

Sounds good! Thank you!

[Spindrift]

Anyone have any thoughts on head accessories for a mermaid with little to no hair?

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Maybe a crown!
Have you looked into wigs? If not, and I love the crown idea. Or a headdress!

[AmbrGlows]

Maybe a crown!
Have you looked into wigs? If not, and I love the crown idea. Or a headdress!

I have a hard time wearing wigs for extended periods of time. When I think about wearing one in water I can't see it going well.

I hadn't thought of a headdress at all.

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[Naufra]

Ambrglows, I don't know if you're into this idea, but I just had a visualization while reading your question of a wig made entirely of sequins built on a swim cap. Just a sequin-covered swim cap with many strands of sequins streaming behind. This is probably an out-there idea, but I think it would look cool underwater, like your hair was made of shimmering scales. It would take a lot less maintenance than a regular wig and might be easier to wear.

[AmbrGlows]

Ambrglows, I don't know if you're into this idea, but I just had a visualization while reading your question of a wig made entirely of sequins built on a swim cap. Just a sequin-covered swim cap with many strands of sequins streaming behind. This is probably an out-there idea, but I think it would look cool underwater, like your hair was made of shimmering scales. It would take a lot less maintenance than a regular wig and might be easier to wear.

Hmm, that is an interesting idea.

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[Spindrift]

Hmm, that is an interesting idea.

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The movie Empires of the Deep did this:

[Mermaid Julianne]

The movie Empires of the Deep did this:

Wow! What gorgeous tops!

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[Mermaid Lilium]

So just to throw my two cents in on shell top making... I followed some previous advice and used gorilla glue.

Never using it for shells again. It was too temperamental, and a pain to clean up any excess. My £60 abalone shells are now on slightly wonky due to it. And I discovered two things... It doesn't cure well to plastic plants. And I'm fairly certain it's the cause for why all the resin on the front of the shells suddenly peeled off, luckily it's not done it to the back of the shells yet though.

Going back to my trusty e6000 next time!

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[Spindrift]

So just to throw my two cents in on shell top making... I followed some previous advice and used gorilla glue.

Never using it for shells again. It was too temperamental, and a pain to clean up any excess. My £60 abalone shells are now on slightly wonky due to it. And I discovered two things... It doesn't cure well to plastic plants. And I'm fairly certain it's the cause for why all the resin on the front of the shells suddenly peeled off, luckily it's not done it to the back of the shells yet though.

Going back to my trusty e6000 next time!

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Am curious, did you also use clamps? My gorilla glue bottle also says that the surface you're gluing it to needs to be damp, but am not sure if that is required for all gorilla glue variations for application.

[Mermaid Lilium]

Used clamps and followed directions.

Dampened bra and plants and applied a thin layer of glue to the shell and clamped it in place.

The peeling resin worked to my advantage though as it allowed me to peel off the wonky shell and use e6000 instead.

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