The MerNation Thread

**Elodea the Mermaid** · 11-18-2015, 02:54 PM

Well, I guess they're not for everyone, but I for one love my "basic", "amateur", "cartoonish" Mernation tail to the ends of the seven seas and back, haha. I am a busy working mermaid and it has taken everything I've thrown at it, from kids' parties to me army crawling almost a quarter mile upstream for a photo shoot because of a sudden change of location. Children love the vibrant colors and I love the simple, graphic shape. Anyway, I'll be doing an 8 month review video this weekend.

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**Vrindavana Starfish** · 11-18-2015, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Elodea the Mermaid

Well, I guess they're not for everyone, but I for one love my "basic", "amateur", "cartoonish" Mernation tail to the ends of the seven seas and back, haha. I am a busy working mermaid and it has taken everything I've thrown at it, from kids' parties to me army crawling almost a quarter mile upstream for a photo shoot because of a sudden change of location. Children love the vibrant colors and I love the simple, graphic shape. Anyway, I'll be doing an 8 month review video this weekend.

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I hope you didn't think my cartoonish comment was a bash, because it wasn't. It's purely a taste thing, and I think the cartoonish paint job would really go over well with kids. When I get a tail, it's not going to be for working with kids. I've heard nothing but awesomeness from Mernation tail owners, and having talked with them before, I can attest to their awesome customer service. But, seeing that they're becoming capable of something a bit more realistic-looking puts them back into the list of tailmakers to actually consider, vs. just one to just admire.

**Mermaid Momo** · 11-18-2015, 05:55 PM

Yeah the cartoonish comment wasn't a bash, it was a way of explaining the way the paint looked to us, since mernation when they started out, usually painted their tails in color blocks, and didn't really blend the colors together like they do now. And that reminded me (I can't speak for Starfish) of the way cartoons are colored because they don't include lots of middle values.

**Mermaid Alea** · 11-18-2015, 10:08 PM

I like this paint job and I think it is a really unique color scheme. I like the fluke too. I am excited to see more photos of this tail!

**Vrindavana Starfish** · 11-19-2015, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mermaid Momo

Yeah the cartoonish comment wasn't a bash, it was a way of explaining the way the paint looked to us, since mernation when they started out, usually painted their tails in color blocks, and didn't really blend the colors together like they do now. And that reminded me (I can't speak for Starfish) of the way cartoons are colored because they don't include lots of middle values.

^^ That's exactly it.

**Mermaid Strega** · 12-14-2015, 04:29 PM

My first silicone tail will be from Mernation. I'd been deadest on Merbellas until I saw their khaleesi fluke, and combined with their excellent rep and continued improvement plus fair wait times they're the ones for me. Now, the khaleesi fluke seems to only come with a competitor. Does that seem a bit too advanced for someone who's pretty much only used a finis Aquarius? I'm a strong swimmer with strong legs and abs if that makes a difference.

**Spindrift** · 12-14-2015, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mermaid Strega

My first silicone tail will be from Mernation. I'd been deadest on Merbellas until I saw their khaleesi fluke, and combined with their excellent rep and continued improvement plus fair wait times they're the ones for me. Now, the khaleesi fluke seems to only come with a competitor. Does that seem a bit too advanced for someone who's pretty much only used a finis Aquarius? I'm a strong swimmer with strong legs and abs if that makes a difference.

If you're a strong swimmer with strong legs and abs then you should be able to handle the competitor no problem. I don't have those things and the competitor slices through the water for me like it's nothing.

**Mermaid Strega** · 12-14-2015, 10:31 PM

That's excellent to know! Thank you.

the idea of a competitor is kind of intimidating for some reason.

**Mer-Crazy** · 12-15-2015, 02:44 AM

The competitors are hella fun. I've only swam in them for a short amount but ohhhhh boy I felt like I was gonna fly right out of the water with that sukka

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**Spindrift** · 12-15-2015, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mermaid Strega

That's excellent to know! Thank you.

the idea of a competitor is kind of intimidating for some reason.

Haha they're supposed to help you swim and are designed to help get you further, not hinder.

**Mermaid Strega** · 12-15-2015, 01:37 PM

XD this is true! It's an odd concept to get your head around in some ways I think, like how some people can't see how having your legs bound can be an efficient swimming method with a fin in general.

**Mermaid Lily_Pad** · 12-15-2015, 02:42 PM

I just got fitted with my leg mold by one of Mernations employees today. He was wonderful, and patient. He answered all of my million questions and took down all of my measurements. I asked what monofin works best and they said they usually put a finis rapid in. I saw one of the tails and the fluke is nice and stiff with the rapid. Very excited!!!

**introverting** · 12-15-2015, 03:03 PM

Honestly, what would bring Mernation to one of the top best tailmakers would be if they worked on making their paints more metallic/pearlescent/shiny. And maybe more work on blending colors to be less muddied, like what Tieri said. I noticed this in my top, the transition color between purple and orange should have been pink instead of brown, in my opinion. Idk, what do you guys think? Imagine, amazing workmanship combined with fast service and great communication... This company is definitely going places. Unless Mernation's signature look is going for the cartoonish esque, I'd consider these to work on

But nonetheless—Michael, Erin, and Lauren, keep doing what you're doing! You have so much potential and I love seeing you guys improve.

**Mermaid Lily_Pad** · 12-15-2015, 03:19 PM

They have just started doing more pearl and metallic colors. I saw a whole bag of their pigments today! So pretty! I also saw the New Khaleesi fluke in person. Their sculpts are getting much more complicated which is nice to see. This company just keeps improving and I am excited to see what they have in store for the future. My order is in! It's December 15th and they made the duct tape mold and are finalizing the colors today. Count down to my first tail starts now! Woot!

**introverting** · 01-07-2016, 11:55 PM

TMW MERNATION HITS PUBERTY

LIKE DAAAAAAMN

**Luna Dreamtide** · 01-08-2016, 05:34 AM

Those fins are certainly an improvement of past ones. I've always been a bit iffy about MerNation's fins...

**Mermaid Lily_Pad** · 01-08-2016, 10:41 AM

It turned out so gorgeous! Their work is impeccable. I was trying to build a rack for mine and accidentally opened up a tiny hole in the edge of a heel fin. I asked them how to fix it and they told me to swing by and they would patch it up for me for free! they were so nice, and we ended up talking for two hours! I ordered a gap wrap from them (though truthfully the tail fits like a glove and I don't really need it) but I like the way they look.

Anyway, they have been awesome!

oh and I found a new use for an ab lounger! It makes a great tail rack!