The MerNation Thread

[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

I don't think it's so much their blending as their customers are asking for different things. I have seen a lot of their older tails and the paint jobs,like on Dotties, and they are are nicely done and very much like the picture the customer wanted. For mine, I was very specific and we went back and forth quite a bit to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. In other words, it may not be that they are proving, as they are simply attracting different clients.

[AmbrGlows]

Anyone know what happened with their Silicone Lite tail idea? I'm not finding anywhere.

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[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

Shoot them an FB message, they respond usually same day.

[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

Silicone Lite? What's that?

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[Vrindavana Starfish]

I'd asked them about that I think a year ago when it first came up as a thing. It seemed like a really great idea, but the cost was about the same as a full silicone - maybe a little less - if I remember correctly.

Just found the email. Here are some of the questions I asked and their answers at the time (Dec 2014)

1) What kind of fabric do you use? Is it neoprene or something less buoyant? We just use a thick spandex, so it's definitely not buoyant. It's actually a little bit negative once it gets wet, just like regular bathing suit fabric. We also cover the mono fin in a thick felt like fabric, our "flipper slipper" (haha) which softens the edges of the foot pockets and harsh edges of the mono fin and makes the fluke thicker overall.


2) What is the mono-fin made of? Is it able to fold into the bag in the picture? If so, does it retain its shape or will it bend over time. Also, would it have any kind of propulsion? The mono fin is made of Lexan, a type of polycarbonate. It's what we make our fabric tail mono fins from. It does roll up on it self and fit into a bag. We haven't had any issues with it losing shape, nor have any of our fabric tail customers mentioned that it has warped. It can't be folded totally flat, but it is much more portable than a regular silicone fluke. I've personally used this tail quite a few times and found it has GREAT propulsion actually. It does feel a little different than the silicone fluke, but I would say very comparable to the finis wave or rapid.


3) If the mono fin is removable, would there be different options for that? I would like to be able to wear this in the ocean, and would need at least some power, although I don't expect to put a competitor on this fin. Yes it is removable, and we are thinking of offering different shapes. The fabric "shell" is permanently attached to the silicone body, but the inner mono fin is removable. The overall shape would have to be pretty simple, as we hand cut them out and need the fabric to fit over it like a sleeve (so it can't have a ton of little projections and sharp angles), but if you had a fluke design idea we would love to see it!


4) What would be the cost of custom fins and colors? My tail design has hip, ankle, and double dorsal fins, and lots of gradients. The body of the tail is able to be fully customized, just like our other silicone tails. This is why we are pretty sure we will be charging the same as other tails, $2500. The fluke actually takes more time and materials to make than a regular silicone fluke, so the cost and time for us is the same. With that in mind, custom colors/gradients are included in the price. Additional sets of fins are $100 and a dorsal is $250. If you send us a design idea we can give you an accurate quote for all the additional fins I'm sure it will be beautiful!

Their turnaround time from when I sent the email with my questions was practically instant - they are on top of their customer service! So if you send them an email, you'll hear back quickly.

[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

Mernation just posted these on Facebook

They are getting better and better!



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[Mermaid Mystery]

I saw these while I was at work and my jaw dropped. I had to explain myself lmao

[Mermaid Julianne]

Dang you go Mernation!

[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

Their Instagrame has video of the glitter finish in that tail. It's Gorgeous.

[Heebee66furry]

Is blue opal considered one color or more than one color?

[Mer-Crazy]

I suppose we'd need a picture. If it's a shade of blue then one colour. If it's like opals where they have many colours than its many colours. For example:

[Mermaid Dottie]

Hi guys! So, MerNation posted their new "scale-tipping" option. It looks like FinFolk's stuff, and while I think it looks beautiful, I don't know how I feel about them actually adding this as an option. What do you think?

[Mer-Crazy]

No one seemed to care too much when Finfolk and MerNation started offering scale bracers so I feel like no one should mind too much about the scale tipping

[SeaGlass Siren]

The more bracers the better I think.

[Elodea the Mermaid]

I honestly don't think that painting the tips of the scales is such rocket science that it can be considered a trade secret, you know?

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[Mermaid Wesley]

No I don't think it's crossing a line. "We are the only tailmakers to offer scale tipping" would be crossing a line, but since the two makers are so vastly different in style I don't think it makes such a big difference.


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[PearlieMae]

I wonder what Finfolk thinks/feels about it, and what Mernation considered before they decided to offer it as an option. Who knows, perhaps they've already discussed it with each other.

But yeah, it's not rocket science, coloring the edges of scales...hardly a trade secret.

Lately, though, I do think EVERYONE needs a big cup of perspective.

[Mermaid Marius]

DID PEOPLE SEE THIS PREVIEW OF THEIR NEW FLUKE THOUGH?
I'M. HERE. FOR IT.

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[Madison MerFaerie]

DID PEOPLE SEE THIS PREVIEW OF THEIR NEW FLUKE THOUGH?

I've been noticing your posts about being interested in Mernation, but not too thrilled with their current fluke options. The timing on this is incredible! I hope this fluke will be something you really love!!!

[Mermaid Marius]

I've been noticing your posts about being interested in Mernation, but not too thrilled with their current fluke options. The timing on this is incredible! I hope this fluke will be something you really love!!!

Thanks, Madison! Me toooo! I saw this photo and was like, Yemoja? Are you shining your godly mermaid light on me? 😂

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