Merbellas Thread

[AniaR]

I'm trying so hard to be patient. But I quickly feel my patience running out. It's been 8 months since I sent in measurements and even longer since I sent payment. I was supposed to get pictures Monday when Raven got back from her gig. And I get she needs rest and downtime between tail making and performing, but I don't like being told one thing and not having it followef through on. I even waited an extra day before sending a reminder email to give her some more time, but I still have nothing. I just want a picture. Even if it's unfinished. It seems each time I ask my date is pushed back even further. I went from being set to have it last month to still not having it three days until November and still don't even know what it looks like, much less have it. I thought 22 would be my year--the year I finally pursue my dream after much waiting and prolonging in my quest toward mermaidom--but in a few weeks I'll be 23 and still tail-less. The disappointment is overwhelming. Everyone I told about my tail keeps asking where it is and I have to shrug stupidly that I still don't have it like a year later. I feel awful for complaining but it's so disheartening.

I'm really sorry and I understand I wish I could wave a hand and make this work out faster for you. It's frustrating you've been waiting so long. Next month hits the 9 month mark for me and while I haven't been waiting quite as long as you have I want you to know there's no special treatment- we all seem to be in the same boat. I'm really hoping once they get through the current orders they'll be able to come up with a better system for dealing with the demand and the wait. My first tail I waited a year and that was hard too so when you say prolonging your quest I totally get it. I'm hoping I get mine in time for merfest.

But I do know for sure when you finally get your tail it'll be worth it and things will sky rocket for you I'm really hopeful you'll get your tail soon. Please post any updates when you hear !!

[Ariel-Starfish]

I'm trying so hard to be patient. But I quickly feel my patience running out. It's been 8 months since I sent in measurements and even longer since I sent payment. I was supposed to get pictures Monday when Raven got back from her gig. And I get she needs rest and downtime between tail making and performing, but I don't like being told one thing and not having it followef through on. I even waited an extra day before sending a reminder email to give her some more time, but I still have nothing. I just want a picture. Even if it's unfinished. It seems each time I ask my date is pushed back even further. I went from being set to have it last month to still not having it three days until November and still don't even know what it looks like, much less have it. I thought 22 would be my year--the year I finally pursue my dream after much waiting and prolonging in my quest toward mermaidom--but in a few weeks I'll be 23 and still tail-less. The disappointment is overwhelming. Everyone I told about my tail keeps asking where it is and I have to shrug stupidly that I still don't have it like a year later. I feel awful for complaining but it's so disheartening.

I'm really sorry for you! Is your tail design more detailed/tecnical color sceme etc? Why is your orderbeing pushed back? As everyone say's already ; when ypu see your tail for the first time, it will be worth it!

[Vrindavana Starfish]

I just found Merbella Studio on Tumblr (I quit Facebook twice now) and saw a picture of a swimmable LED tail! Seriously?! I want to see more of that. I have a feeling I'm late to this party.

[polyhymnia113]

Merley, i have to admit that having everyone ask you when your tail is coming and watching their declining enthusiasm as the months tick by is disheartening. We just have to hope that when the tails come in they'll be as wowed as we are and have renewed excitement for us.

[polyhymnia113]

And don't worry about 22 vs 23. Some of us are *considerably* older than you and still getting our mermaid on. Right now just luxuriate in the feeling of still being in your early 20s.

[AniaR]

I just found Merbella Studio on Tumblr (I quit Facebook twice now) and saw a picture of a swimmable LED tail! Seriously?! I want to see more of that. I have a feeling I'm late to this party.

Yes that was a few years ago. It's on their fB in a video showing it light up. I dont think she ever got to do much with it- too busy. But I loved it if I had the money I'd buy it lol.

[Vrindavana Starfish]

Yes that was a few years ago. It's on their fB in a video showing it light up. I dont think she ever got to do much with it- too busy. But I loved it if I had the money I'd buy it lol.

It's amazing. It needs a movie.

[MermaidAmestris]

I think it's sad that you have to keep assuring us that you don't get any special treatment, Raina. Do people really think/assume that about you that often?

[Merley]

I'm really sorry and I understand I wish I could wave a hand and make this work out faster for you. It's frustrating you've been waiting so long. Next month hits the 9 month mark for me and while I haven't been waiting quite as long as you have I want you to know there's no special treatment- we all seem to be in the same boat. I'm really hoping once they get through the current orders they'll be able to come up with a better system for dealing with the demand and the wait. My first tail I waited a year and that was hard too so when you say prolonging your quest I totally get it. I'm hoping I get mine in time for merfest.


But I do know for sure when you finally get your tail it'll be worth it and things will sky rocket for you I'm really hopeful you'll get your tail soon. Please post any updates when you hear !!

Thanks for the support guys. It means a lot since no one else really understands. As soon as I get any updates you guys will be the first to Know. I also would like to go to merfest and have a tail to bring to the event. After the Mermaidsrus fiasco I was really excited to get this tail--I still am, but I keep becoming more and more skeptical about when it will finally get done. I told her to take her time because haste makes waste and I wanted there to be less chance for mistakes due to lack of time, but I don't know. Watching other people get beautiful tails from her when I feel like I ordered so much longer ago irks me.

My parents are probably the worst. Where is it, they ask. They're the most skeptical after the last tail buying endeavor which left me out $700+ and no tail to show for it. That and our pod here in Hawaii has meetup swims and I feel left out not having a tail to wow tourists with like the others. I didn't even go to the last one I was so bummed I still don't have one a year later. And yes, I know I'm considerably younger than some members in the community, but this has been something I'm sure I wanted since I was a small child, which was only solidified once I found out about Mertailor, Hannah and tank shows. So, this has all been a long time coming for me. I've never had any illusions or pretenses about what I wanted to do. I want to be a mermaid. I want to turn the ordinary into extraordinary everywhere I go with my own brand of mermaid magic. I want to dare people to entertain silly fancies of the imagination and not be afraid to turn them into tangible realities. And I want every little girl in a 2 mile radius to lose her shit when she learns mermaids do exist and they are very real indeed.

I'm really sorry for you! Is your tail design more detailed/tecnical color sceme etc? Why is your orderbeing pushed back? As everyone say's already ; when ypu see your tail for the first time, it will be worth it!

My tail is pretty elaborate according to Raven, but some of the more recent tails with custom fins and fluke designs seem more elaborate to me. I basically asked for a sea dragon tail since I really loved the double dorsal and shape/design of the fins. My only request was a pink and gold color scheme in which I gave her total creative freedom (Raven's choice) to be the artist that she is. I figured she'd make a better design than I would since my first tail was going to be plain pink with no frills or other trimmings.

Im still super excited to finally get my tail and see what Raven has come up with but the anticipation might literally be killing me.

[AniaR]

Yeah I have a more complicated design too. Waiting sucks for sure.

And yes I get accused of special treatment all the time. I don't get things any faster or any cheaper than anyone else. I try to go easy on Raven because she is also my friend and I know she'll come through for me. But I def see people get loads of freebies, work done on their tail for free, and more updates.. And that same person got mad raven sent me a bracer as a Christmas present last year. Special treatment lol. I just get annoyed because like everyone else it takes me forever to save up and I wait too.

[PearlieMae]

Wait...You're 22 (almost 23), live in Hawaii and getting an elaborate Merbellas tail?




(it was that or the jellyfish.)

[Vrindavana Starfish]

People tend to think that no matter what the situation is, whether it's mermaiding or not. If you're showing some level of success, people will claim it's because you got "special treatment," and dismiss any hard work or patience you had to do for your success. I've been following your blog for a few months, watching your videos, it's pretty obvious you work your tail off (haha I crack myself up. Where's my tip jar?) It sucks that you have to deal with people whining about it, but there are plenty of us who can clearly see what you do, and for all you give to the community, you deserve some bracers. So, we get it. Don't let the haters get you down.

[Merley]

Lol, Pearlie. I'm from Jersey too. I came here for school (I got a scholarship and now have $30,000 worth of debt to pay off for my degree). My friend paid for the base of my tail (he lost a school related bet) and I've sunk another $2,000 in upgrades and a top, not including shipping yet by myself with money I've earned on my own. I pay my own rent and buy everything myself. I worked hard to get here. It wasn't just handed to me by any means.

[PearlieMae]

I am so glad you took that in the spirit that I meant it! I was worried once I hit post!

Patience, grasshopper...good things come to those who wait! (I know, it pisses me off, too.)

Good for you! Well done! Where in Jersey? I'm not from here, but I've been here since 81.

[Merley]

Haha, it's that Jersey sense of humor. Oh, neat where are you from? I'm from north Jersey, Bergen county area, directly across from NYC. But yeah I'm trying to be patient. All I can really do is wait anyway.

[PearlieMae]

I'm in Ringwood, north central border, next to Oakland. Technically western Passaic county, just over Ramapo Mountain from Bergen.

[AniaR]

WHOSE IS THIS THING OF BEAUTY (shared it because it's already watermarked) [this is also WIP it's not finished]

[polyhymnia113]

I would guess that to be Merley's anxiously awaited pink and gold sea-dragon tail.

[PearlieMae]

That's a lot of pink and gold!

Are you next up, Raina?

[AniaR]

Soon I think. Hopefully. I really hope this is Mereley's tail though she's been waiting so long, and it's so beautiful even if it's a WIP. <3