Merbellas Thread

[Miyu]

LOL that's true, Anahita :P

[Phoenix Mermaid]

Here's a short clip of my first swim. I don't feel like it should count as my first swim. Pool was crowded so I only got a few good swims in as the kids moved around. My toes are so blistered though because the monofin is much heavier than what I am use to. My feet are a little small in the monofin so they moved around alot. I'll have to buy some neoprene socks or see if I can find the straps and tighten them. But I do love the competitor being in my tail its awesome! I could not image how heavy the performance tails are lol
I also have to replay this conversation I had with a little girl while swimming...
Girl: Did you make your tail?
Me: No, I'm a real mermaid, this is what my adult tail looks like. (she's seen me swimming in my fabric tails, and I played as a merling)
Girl:........Do you know Ariel?
Me: Yea! I've met her before.
Girl: Do you know her fish friend?
Me: You mean Flounder? Yea I've met him too! Also Sebastian! And all her sisters too!
Girl: Are you one of her sister!?
Me: No. I'm from a different pod than her, but she's my friend.
Girl: ......Can you tell her "Hi" for me!?
Me: Sure... What's your name?
Girl: Kylee
Me: Ok I'll tell her Kylee says "Hi"
And we continued on a bit more, her asking me questions like that. It was so adorable! I loved it ^-^ I love being a mermaid! It's the best!

Ok....so here's the video finally lol

[Winged Mermaid]

That's so amazing Phoenix! I know your tail is a basic but it actually looks like a performance tail *secretly jealous*

The competitor doesn't have adjustable straps. BUT I'm a size 6 1/2 (I can wear down to a size 5 though) and the small competitor is made for 7.5-9 W so it's pretty big on me- my feet blistered the first time swimming cause of my feet moving around so much too, as well as lack of control of the fluke- and 2 pairs of 2mm neoprene socks made it a perfect fit So I'm sure you'll find some neoprene socks will fix you up great ^_^

[Nausicaa]

Wow Phoenix is absolutely beautiful!

I remember seeing that tail on the merbella's facebook page while Raven was still working on it and thinking that it was so awesome, but I guess that I just never made the connection that it was YOUR tail haha.
Seriously it's one of the most unique colors that I've ever seen, congrats!

[Anahita]

Oh Phoenix, that tail is PERFECT on you! I love that you played up the mermaid thing with the little girl, I bet that totally made her day!

[Marlin]

Phoenix- IT's beautiful! and it looks great on you and in the water. TOTALLY jealous over here Can hardly wait to get one of my own.

[Phoenix Mermaid]

@Iona....oh thanks for that tip! I haven't been able to feel any straps in there so that explains it. My feet are 6-7ish so I'll try the same as you to get me started on the socks (: lol

Thank you all for the compliments! I cannot believe how well the tail looks in real life! I was standing there just looking at it going... "wow...and this is her BASIC tail ...there's nothing basic about it!" Raven's photos just don't do justice to her tails at all! I'd probably have a heart attack if I ever saw her performance tails in real life. I don't know how you girls lift those things when your out of the water. I have some serious muscle to build haha

That little girl just loved it! As she swam away I could hear here telling the other kids that I was a real mermaid hehe <3

[Miyu]

Phoenix, that tail looks great in the water! And you can really swim pretty fast in it! I think it matches you perfectly, it's so "your" tail, haha. I love your story about the little girl...

Actually, that's kind of funny to me, because one of my fabric tails is going to be based on one of Ariel's sisters (Arista), LOL.

[Mer-Crazy]

Looks like it's the day for Merbella basic tails. Thought I'd share my videos, my tail arrived a few hours ago but it became too dark to swim in so I'll have to try again tomorrow

I had to travel to my tail, so this was before I left the house:




And here's my unboxing video (excuse the snickers add in the back)

[Miyu]

Aww, Selene, you're so cute! That is one fin-tastic tail you have there! YAY!

[Phoenix Mermaid]

Mer-Crazy your videos are so adorable and your tail looks amazing!!! I can't wait for more photos and swim videos! =D

[Phoenix Mermaid]

Phoenix, that tail looks great in the water! And you can really swim pretty fast in it! I think it matches you perfectly, it's so "your" tail, haha. I love your story about the little girl...Actually, that's kind of funny to me, because one of my fabric tails is going to be based on one of Ariel's sisters (Arista), LOL.

Thank you, I think Raven really brought my design to life. And once I get some neoprene socks for it swimming will be much easierOooo please post photos when your done with the tail so we can see it!

[Mermaid Kelda]

It felt kinda weird hearing an Aussie accent on here, Selene xD
Your tail is amazing!

[Mermaid Oshun]

Selene your tail looks magically enchanting and Phoenix yours it utterly exquisite! I am so pleased for both of you ladies and have the utmost respect for Merbella's artistry as well as that of the many other artists in the mer community.
Enjoy both of you!

PS Selene I did notice in your video that the line of demarcation where the monofin ends is visible in this product in the same way that it is in the tails produced by other tail makers. So I guess this is just a given with mermaid tails that you will see where the monofin stops inside the fin if you look for it. That little point is irrelevant because the tails are both absolutely gorgeous !

[Thalassa]

Love the unboxing, Mer-Crazy!

Phoenix, I'm totally jealous of how you did that little flip from your back to underwater...I'm trying to practice flips and it isn't going well. XD You made it look effortless!

[Mermaid Syrena]

The both of your tails are absolutely stunning! You two will make a pair of pretty little Merbellas mers. I loved watching both of your unboxing vids- the excitement was infectious, lol.

[AniaR]

looking lovely ladies.

My trick for blister prevention and swimming if I do have blisters, is to put HOCKEY TAPE around the part of my feet that blisters. It prevents the blisters, and helps new ones keep from being irritated.

[Mer-Crazy]

PS Selene I did notice in your video that the line of demarcation where the monofin ends is visible in this product in the same way that it is in the tails produced by other tail makers. So I guess this is just a given with mermaid tails that you will see where the monofin stops inside the fin if you look for it. That little point is irrelevant because the tails are both absolutely gorgeous !

I noticed it as well. Luckily it seems to be a rare thing with Raven's tails. I haven't been able to find another one where you can see the monofin. Just my luck I suppose. I haven't had the best luck when it comes to Raven but hey, it's art. I couldn't have asked for more, so I'm happy with it

[Mermaid Kelda]

I noticed it as well. Luckily it seems to be a rare thing with Raven's tails. I haven't been able to find another one where you can see the monofin. Just my luck I suppose. I haven't had the best luck when it comes to Raven but hey, it's art. I couldn't have asked for more, so I'm happy with it

I actually didn't even notice it, so don't stress!

[Mermaid Oshun]

Yes I suspect it has something to do with having a competitor fluke inside of a silicone tail maybe? I am not certain. But in the sake of total objectivity I wanted to take a look at how the fluke shows through the tails of both Merbella and Mertailor equally. I will post photos of other vendors flukes too if I find that others have this issue.
Merbella fluke showing line of demarcation with monofin

Mertailor fluke showing line of demarcation with monofin

So I imagine it is just as I said. You WILL see where the monofin ends if you look for it inside the silicone. This is not to take anything away from either tail. Where as Raina said:

I'm pretty biased against Eric. My only criticism of the tail is that you can see the monofin (or is it two fins?) right through the fluke, and I wouldn't spend 2k+on a tail where you can see that.

.

I would not make such a harsh statement. I would take the more objective stance that you WILL be able to find where the monofin cuts off if you search for it.

ALL of the tails are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. So my language must be unbiased across the board with all vendors.