Mizuko's 2nd Silicone Tail- Ariel

[Mermaid Jaffa]

My Lexan was on the thicker side, its 4.5mm, but it works well
I didn't get the Lexan from Bunnings, Ireneho, I dont think they stock it! I had to buy mine from a seller in QLD (then later discovered there was an acrylic place locally that sells it too, lol! )

They have stuff called Polycarbonate sheet or Suntuf, thickest is 3mm. Though I don't know if its the same material as Lexan or not. They use it in roofing and making greenhouses.

Its the closest one to me as I live where it is regional.

[Jessica]

Your monofin looks great Mizuko!!

[Mizuko]

Thank you Jessica! ^_^
Irenedo, I honestly couldn't say if Suntuf would suffice. I personally would stick with lexan as its been proven to work and you know you're not wasting money.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I might just put it off for a while then. And just get a Fin Fun Pro, take off the cover and glue some booties...

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Ireneho, just watch out with the Fin Fun Pro, I got one and it is very soft. The polycarbonate in there is not very thick, and it also has very sharp edges. I would invest in a sheet of thicker polycarbonate if you can, I am really disappointed with the Fin Fun.

[Mermaid Wesley]

This is completely unrelated to everything, but I currently read all of your posts with your accent and your voice ever since that video and it makes them 10 x cuter.

[Mizuko]

This is completely unrelated to everything, but I currently read all of your posts with your accent and your voice ever since that video and it makes them 10 x cuter.

Hahaha, thank you MerHopefully! XD I get super awkward talking in front of a camera, but put a camera in the water with me and BOOM I'm suddenly super confident! lol!

I've started work on the fluke sculpt, will post some pictures in a few days

[Mizuko]

Sorry for the lack of updates. lol!
I've taken a break from tail-making, as I've been caught up in costume making for an event a month away! Haha! I am an expert at over-loading myself with projects...
I plan to get straight back into the tail at the end of July! (The fluke is half-sculpted, lol)

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I plan on getting a lexan sheet that is about half as thick. Do you think that will be ok. I'm making a fully sequined neoprene tail (you can see my project in my signature), so it won't be as heavy as silicone. I honestly can't wait to see this come through!

[Mizuko]

I'm honestly not sure if thinner poly-carbonate is better, I'm sorry! It'll be much more flowy than my monofin, though. I know Pearlie made one and has had some trouble with it (I'm not sure if it broke or split?) but I've had no issues with mine as of yet! I've only used it 4 or so times, though, so it'll be interesting to see how it holds up with the weight of silicone!

[PearlieMae]

Mine snapped on a test swim, due to my arrogant engineering. I tried to go with an extended design and didn't reinforce a crucial area.

[Mizuko]

Thank you for the clarification Pearlie! I'm hoping mine wont come into similar complications. I wish I'd stuck my zoomers a little further down the lexan- where they are really makes me point my feet and I worry that may cause the zoomers to eventually pull away or snap!

[Mermaid Narina]

Hey Mizuko! I love seeing fellow Aussies on mernetwork (I'm from sydney). I was looking into making a lex an monofin myself, and found this thread http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...FFICIAL-THREAD
In the DIY part it suggests adding "stiffeners" to prevent breakage. I know your monofin is quite thick so it may not be an issue, but I just wanted to make sure you knew about it it would be awful if your monofin broke!!!

[Aquarianne]

Anxiously subscribed and waiting updates! XD I'm making my first tail for the same reason, so we can be Ariel buddies! Although I will have to learn from you, since you have loads more tailmaking practice XD I can't wait to see your fluke design!

[Aquarianne]

Also OMG you did a last Unicorn cosplay too! WE R BUDDIES 4 LYFE NAO.

[Mizuko]

Also OMG you did a last Unicorn cosplay too! WE R BUDDIES 4 LYFE NAO.

HAHAHA, omg I cant help cosplaying princesses/nobility >_> its like its ingrained in me, haha!

Thank you Narina! I considered doing so, but we dont have power-tools or anything so I'm quite restricted in what I can do now-a-days

[Vela]

wow!! I cannot wait to see how this tail turns out! I love Ariel and I love seeing all the tails designed off of her tail. Love the glitter idea! Cant wait!!

[Mizuko]

Thank you! ^_^
I'm going to be getting back into it next week. I had a big break to make two costumes and I can finally wear them to the event this weekend! haha!

[Mizuko]

Woah, some very interesting things happened since the last time I posted!
Long story short, Disney Australia is having a field day sending cease-and-desist letters to small businesses such as party princesses and costume hire stores. Unfortunately the laws in Australia are very different to the US. Party Princesses in the US are allowed to continue because laws in the US states a company can only own the name of a product, not the image. So as long as the small businesses change the names of the princesses (eg Sleeping Beauty/Aurora is referred to as 'the sleeping princess') they are legally ok to continue business. Unfortunately, Australian laws are different: a company CAN own the image of a product, and it sounds like Disney has decided to crack down on this.
Luckily the business I'm contracted out with hasn't been sent a letter yet- but its been a huge scare for everyone doing princess parties here. The reason its been so frightening is: Disney is taking the party princesses costumes away. Not just taking some money- they are actually asking for ALL the costumes, props, etc that represent that particular character to be sent to them by the small business.
Now as most of you are probably aware, a lot of costumes are hand-made by the owner, so this is a huge blow. I myself make all my Ariel costumes. So yeah... I'm actually rather afraid now.
Guess I will still make this tail, but unfortunately I wont be able to use it for my business. It will have to be a cosplay, or used at non-for-profit events. I do NOT want my hard work being taken away from me.

[Fifi Tigg]

WTF Really that is terrible! I cannot believe massive companies like Disney are so money hungry that they would do this to people just wanting to bring some magic into the world