PearlieMae's Silicone Tail Journey

[Theobromine]

I'm just chiming in to say I agree as well. I've mostly been lurking here but I know how long you've spent making sure your tail is perfectly exactly how you want it; another day or two won't kill you

[PearlieMae]

Now I know what mountain climbers mean by "summit fever".

It won't kill me to wait. And I'll put the prototype into a fabric tail! Maybe sequins!

[Seatan]

Save that sequin tail if you make it--seems like I lot of people want to buy them this week!

[Mermaid Meko]

I am hoping that you waited? Your work is SO gorgeous and you have put so much time and effort into it. Stay true to your quality

[angie]

I am only on page 13 of this thread and in tears. Its so beautiful and inspirational and i simply must must must keep reading. You are such a wonderful person I cant put it into words.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Pearlie you post videos and pics like crazy when it's done! I need to see this beauty


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[angie]

HOLY SHELLFISH!! I just read the entire thread. On page 13, and looking at how FAST you were making progress, I thoughtI would get to the end of all 65 pages and see it beautiful and complete and raved over. But, I am left gasping in breathless suspense and admiration. Your work here is a testament to creativity, detail, hard work, and problem solving. I also love that you shared all your processes and resources, they are so valuable to have in one place. This reinvents and innovates tail making as I know it. This method will shore-ly be the prized top quality construction to come. Keep it up! I have become yet another stalker of this thread!

[Seatan]

Pearlie, I was considering attaching individual scales to a nylon covered neoprene backing, but looking at your work here it seems that it would be just as easy to go full silicone rather than messing with the neoprene. Until I re-read this thread it wasn't quite clicking in my brain how you were laying these out, but tell me if I have it right: Mold and cast each scale. Pour scales, pigmenting as you go. Wrap duct dape dummy with powermesh. Apply scales to powermesh with a thin coat of silicone on each scale. Turn the tail inside out when finished and lightly coat the inside. Turn it right side out and do a thin shiny coat of Dragonskin on top... So the only real difference between putting scales on neoprene and doing it full silicone would be coating the inside, right?

[PearlieMae]

That's basically it! I don't know if there's a curing issue with silicone over neoprene, but I guess not, because isn't that what a hybrid tail is?

I sure wouldn't bother with neoprene unless you plan a lot of cold water swimming. Powermesh is thin as lingerie. I used it as a base because it seemed to me that it would keep the silicone alone from stretching to the point of breakage. I wanted a lightweight foundation.

[PearlieMae]

Thanks, Angie! I hope I didn't shoot myself in the fin giving away my process! I do hope to be a pro tailmaker soon! With all the treating of materials along the way, the second tail should go much faster!

[Ashley]

OOHH DO YOU HAVE A TUTORIAL OF HOW YOUR DOING ALL THIS BECAUSE ITS SUPER INTERESTING AND I WANT TO SEE HOW YOU DONE IT!!!

*SITTIN ON EDGE OF SEAT*

[Echidna]

I do hope to be a pro tailmaker soon!

great news!
if I ever get the funds, I'll order from you.

while there's the possibility some might want to take advantage of your freely shared tailmaking info (shrouding the kinks in mystery is always good ), knowing the theory and doing it in reality will always be two different things

[PearlieMae]

Ashley, there's no 'tutorial', per se, just 65 pages of this thread on how I made this tail!

[PearlieMae]

great news!
if I ever get the funds, I'll order from you.

while there's the possibility some might want to take advantage of your freely shared tailmaking info (shrouding the kinks in mystery is always good ), knowing the theory and doing it in reality will always be two different things

I would love to make you a tail! With the individual scales, the possibilities for replicating and extrapolating on your favorite snake would be a wonderful challenge!

[Echidna]

ahem.
the monofin for that would be difficult though, unless you make one to go with it so it fits.

in any case, I'll keep it in mind- I have relatives in the US you could send it to, so we'd save on shipping & taxes

[PearlieMae]

I'd make you a custom monofin! Part of what's taking so long to finish this tail is the development of the monofin. I made one last modification to the prototype yesterday and took it out for a test and it was as if the fin was part of me! The best fit and feel of any fin I've ever used in the past seven years I've been swimming with them!

And no, no tutorial on that. I'm filing for a design patent.

[Echidna]

And no, no tutorial on that. I'm filing for a design patent.

[Fifi Tigg]

That's fintastic PearliMae!

[Seatan]

Thanks, Angie! I how I didn't shout myself in the fin giving away my process! I do hope to be a pro tailmaker soon! With all the treating of materials along the way, the second tail should go much faster!

I wouldn't fear--having an idea of how to do something is one thing. Possessing the astounding artistic ability you have is another! Your thread will help others in their tail making journeys but I seriously doubt there are many mers out there with your astounding combination of untethered creativity and diligent patience!

[Seatan]

I'd make you a custom monofin! Part of what's taking so long to finish this tail is the development of the monofin. I made one last modification to the prototype yesterday and took it out for a test and it was as if the fin was part of me! The best fit and feel of any fin I've ever used in the past seven years I've been swimming with them!

And no, no tutorial on that. I'm filing for a design patent.

*joins the buyer line*