Q&A tails

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To Kariel, becoming a mermaid wasn’t a fantasy; it was a personal calling. “It’s human nature to imagine the possibility of being more than what we are,” says Kari. “For years I’ve wanted to bring mermaids to life to share that feeling of unlimited horizons with others.”

This is an in depth interview that answers a lot of questions

Kariel's Mother and Grandmother helped to teach Kariel to make her first mermaid tail when she was only five years old. As an adult Kariel spent hours researching water safe materials and trying different techniques to make herself a tail that would be sturdy enough for ocean use, yet light and comfortable enough to swim in. She now has made several performance-quality tails of different colors and designs – each one may take 80 to 400 hours to sculpt, paint, sew or embellish by hand. A feet she had never seen except in her favorite film "Splash" Kariel's Father and Grandfather were mill-writes and always said she could build anything she put her mind to....so she did!

Kariel is currently collaborating with Wyland, the marine-life artist, on a tail to unite their individual artistry. The tail between Wyland and Kariel was completed in 2014 and rumor has it 12 limited additions will be released the end of 2018.

“Kariel’s mermaid tails are works of art that come to life when she enters the ocean.” Says Wyland the Artist. You can also find photographs Wyland has taken of Kariel underwater in her children's book "The Brave Mermaid"

Photo of Kariels first Ocean Mermaid tail experience in 2003 ( Kariel's Mother let her turn her favorite dress into a tail, which became her mothers favorite photograph of Kariel)

As a small girl, Kariel struggled with ADP, short for Auditory Processing Disorder, leaving her to hear and see later than the normal person. This had a great impact on her self esteem as a child. Learning was quite the curve for her as she spent hours after school in brain strengthening classes. Like many, Kariel was teased, but with life comes tribulations and Kariel grew up to be the power house you see today determined to achieve her wildest dreams and be more than she was ever expected to become and sharing her self lifting message to children and adults across the world.

Q: Do you ever travel for events?
A: We are located in Hawaii and love to travel!

Q: Can you turn other people into mermaids?
A: funny you should ask, Yes I can.

Q: How can I make a mermaid tail?
A: I would need to write a book to explain or start a school! I Do make Tails for Others.

Q: Is swimming like a mermaid a good work out?
A: Yes, Oh my gosh it is! However, I never feel like I am working out while I am swimming. It just feels like I am enjoying a leisurely swim.
A bigger work out is modeling in the tail on dry land. When you wear a tail you have weight at the end of your legs and you can be in some strange positions. So, I tend to get a really good work out. My body can be completely sore a day after a fun, land-locked mermaid shoot! If you are interested in a swim or your own mermaid shoot I offer packages Here:

Q: How do I become a mermaid?
A: Find something you stand for and stand for it as a mermaid! Mermaids are full of heart! Every mermaid I have ever met had a lot of heart. Secondly, you should take swimming lessons and practice the dolphin kick or maybe even become a lifeguard. Third on your list should be to finish school or plan to go to college and study business, theater and/or art. And finally, you should definitely have me make you a mermaid tail - I make custom mermaid tails!

Q: How deep down can you swim?
A: I can swim down to 60 feet on one breath of air.

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SWIMMING QUESTIONS

DO YOUR EYES HURT UNDER THE WATER?

I believe MY ADP CAUSES ME TO NOT FEEL PAIN TO THE SAME EXTENT OTHERS DO. SO RARELY DO MY EYES HURT UNLESS THE WATER IS EXTREMELY DIRTY. I WOULD SAY ITS THE ONE GOOD THING AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER OFFERS ME.

How can I stay underwater longer?

It can be very dangerous learning to free dive, which is why you should contact a professional instructor, who will safely teach you way to extend your breath hold. Extended periods of time beneath the water can increase your risk of blacking out, which is a serious cause of drowning. Professional hands on instruction from an accredited teacher is essential!

Q: What does it feel like to be a Mermaid?

Q: Do you have used tails for sale?
A: sometimes I do sell my used tails, make sure you follow me on social media as they go fast once they are announced for sale.

Q: Will you paint or make me a tail like "BLANK'S" tail?
At this time I am only making tails on my own, not with anyone else's direction. I sell the tail when I am finished.

Q: Do you make Kid's silicone or hand sequined or painted tails?
A: Yes and they are ADORABLE! Our infant tails come ready to hang on display as a reminder of how small your baby once was. They also come with a certificate of authenticity. We expect them to be worth more later as they are works of art. Each infant or kid's tail comes with a matching top. We do not make swimmable kids or baby tails.

Q: Do you rent adult tails?
Yes, I do rent to large productions, or I offer experiences and photoshoot packages the public.

Q: What sort of payment do you accept?
Mermaid Kariel excepts PayPal, all major credit/debit cards, or cashiers checks.

Q: Do you ship internationally?
Yes, However, we are not responsible for shipping costs or losses.

Q: How deep down can you swim?
A: I can swim down to 60 feet on one breath of air.

Q: Do your tails come with monofins?
No the Tail of Art fluke has its own comfortable design, which is fintastic for propelling in the water, and great for handling and packing your tail.

Are tails swimmable?
Yes, our adult tails are swimmable. I suggest you practice in a simple lycra tail or mono fin before you attempt to swim in a high end tail.

Will my tail get ruined in fresh/salt/chlorinated water?
Slowly Yes, However, always rinse and/or thoroughly wash your tail after use, especially in chlorinated pools. A clean, dry tail will fight against mold and mildew! Soaking in baking soda water or using a mild dish soap will help keep your silicone tail fresh and eradicate harsh chemicals that may be harmful to the silicone and neoprene over time or with extended exposure.

How heavy are tails? Will they make me sink?
Silicone tails typically weigh between 15-25 pounds. The silicone is neutrally buoyant, making them nearly weightless in the water.

Our sequin tails typically weigh between 12-20 pounds. The sequins are neutrally buoyant, making them nearly weightless in the water. The fabric used under the sequins have some buoyancy.

Do you make neoprene/neoprene lined/fabric tails?
Yes!

ABOUT SHIPPING TAILS

Q: How can you breath under the water?
A: I cannot breath under the water. I can hold my breath for a long time the same as dolphins and whales! Five minutes is my longest breath hold.

Shipping and Handling IN USA
We ship anywhere in the world! Shipping inside the USA is Free with a Tail of Art order!

Can A Mermaid Get Legs?

Customs
· If you are an international client, please take into consideration Customs wait times. Customs are legally allowed to retain your tail for up to 6 weeks. They very rarely do this, but MermaidMission LLC is in no way responsible for US Customs or the Customs of your country. You may be charged additional Customs fees for the importation of this product. This is up to you to figure out a head of time!