Need proof that I'm the original artist?
​Go watch the video where I literally cover the entire design process that went into this one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.

Above is my original design, front and back for my "T the Rex" mermaid tail. This tail was made in collaboration with my client who had something every specific in mind and it was an honour to bring this tail to life for them.

I can't tell you what it felt like to find out I was ripped off yet again, but that it wasn't just any tail, it was this tail... I'm beyond devastated.

My custom mermaid tails are made from scratch. We're talking a blank canvas. Each palette is carefully put together, the details carefully constructed. I put an immense amount of time into every aspect of the process because I know how much the fine details mean to my clients.

There is also an expectation that this is a ONE-OF-A-KIND design! That's the whole point! 😡

It's absolutely crushing and it left me wondering why I even bother anymore when this happens as often as it does.

Then I remember all the incredible clients I've had over the many years I've been doing this. The kind words, the love, the support. I can't thank you all enough! 💖

To my client, I know we've already spoken about this, but I am beside myself and so sorry that this happened. The frustration of not being able to protect my artwork outside of what I do by only sharing watermarked, low resolution images, is painful.

Not to mention the fact that AI is now being used to upscale images...

It really does feel a bit hopeless sometimes.

I will say though that this isn't going to stop me! Copycats like this have NOTHING without the original artists who pour their blood, sweat, and tears into their creative process.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and I am wishing you peace and light on your creative journeys, wherever they may take you. 🌈

Happy Swimming!

Courtney Mermaid

​Canadian-made leggings and swim tops are BACK!!!

I am thrilled to announce that I will be working with my Canadian manufacturer once more to produce leggings AND swim tops that are, you guessed it, MADE IN CANADA!

​All listings now include where the product is made and where it ships from so you can feel more confident knowing where your purchases are actually coming from.

As always, DON'T FORGET, my prices always include shipping (excluding mermaid tails which are a flat rate of $50CAD).

I'm sticking with shorts for now in an effort to get things back on track with all the mermaid vibes.

📌 My Autism-related content has been removed and move to a new account which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyliterally

​I have been adding a lot of new songs to my mermaid vibes playlist on Spotify and I am super excited for you to check it out.

I've got a little of everything and a lot of the OG mermaid music that community members used to use in their YouTube videos WAY BACK in the day!

I hope you enjoy it! 💚💙

Hey my dearest friends and fishes! I have finally taken the time to go over my website and make the changes I've been wanting to implement for the last few years... Yes years...

I've moved a few things around, but the important stuff has essentially stayed put but with a little extra polishing.

The biggest problem I've been facing is how to best showcase my work. Finding a nice way to display my mermaid tail creations is a real challenge given the lengthy vertical dimensions that mermaid tails typically have. I feel like I am trailblazing and getting a little lost in the woods on the way...

That said I think I've landed in a nice middle ground for now and hopefully from here I can explore new ways as creativity strikes (any time now please).

Above is snippet of what my updated portfolio page now looks like.

WOW COURTNEY YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T GOING TO SHARE FULL DESIGNS ONLINE ANYMORE?! WHAT GIVES?!

Rein the seahorses in folks and let me explain...

I give up. I accept defeat. The internet IS WHAT IT IS and I am thoroughly exhausted from trying so hard to keep people from ripping me off so I'm raising the white flag.

Thieves are still finding ways to steal from me regardless of the immense efforts I've made and I'm tired of hiding in my studio. So here we are. Here's my work. Tens of thousands of hours of my life (I've been honing my digital design skills for over 20 years now) invested into my art and people are just going to do what they do.

As much as it hurts me to have my work ripped off, it hurts me more NOT to share.

My fully realized mermaid tail creations and other works will still be available exclusively to the Patreon Pod for purchase but I will again be sharing my artwork and creations here and on my other social platforms.

Please don't make me regret this...

I've updated a lot of the wording and added a lot more context to my website so, if you have any interest, take a look around and see what has changed.

My goal is to put a much greater emphasis on celebrating the body of work I have created over the last 18 years and honoring the journey it took to get me here.

I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to my Patreon Pod for being the reason I haven't given up yet and for always being there with ideas, suggestions, and support. You fishes mean the world to me!

That's all for now and I look forward to catching up with you all again soon!

Happy Swimming!
Courtney Mermaid

https://shopvancouvermermaid.com/ 

The shop is back open with 40 NEW Shellusion designs! SWIMSUITS! New scale bottoms! More realistic designs! AND prices have been adjusted across the board (some have been reduced and some have been increased in an effort to level things out).

Please know that I create the shop/listings/images all myself so if you notice any errors or anything (I try to catch them all 😅) please email me directly ([email protected]) with a screenshots to let me know!

Thank you so much for your patience my fishes! I hope the wait was worth it! 💖

Happy Swimming!!

​This is going to revolutionize the mermaid tail making industry forever... Or at least it will help you personally protect your favorite fabric mermaid tails!

🛒 Buy OdiCoat: https://amzn.to/45nIMRM
🏬 Visit my Amazon shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/courtneymermaid
📺 Watch last week's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfCRwj5Ig6I

Hello my friends and fishes, today we are going to look at my brand new mermaid tail!

This is my official remake of Chester, my iconic mermaid tail that went viral across multiple platforms in multiple countries!

Why did I remake this tail? Excellent question! Let’s get into it!

First off, these two tail ARE NOT made of the same fabric. I mean they kind of are, it’s called the same stuff, but new Chester’s fabric is actually completely different.

This new fabric allows more water to pass through it, making it a MUCH lighter swimming experience. It also dries faster! A LOT FASTER! I timed it. Old Chester takes approximately 3 full days to dry whereas new Chester takes about a day. YEAH. YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT.

The fabric is also sourced IN CANADA! YES! My mermaid tails are now 100% Canadian made! You have no idea how happy this makes me because when I tell you sourcing fabric from the US has been a nightmare, it really and truly has.

It’s at this moment that I would like to give the hugest shoutout to my fellow mermaid tail maker Amy from SparklegirlCostume.com! The generosity and kindness she has shown not only myself but other makers in our community is beyond measure. She does not always get the credit she deserves and without her, I would not be in the position I am now and for that I am truly grateful.

Thank you Amy.

Now let’s talk about what else has changed with this tail, because YES THERE’S MORE!!

So not only is the fabric new, but so is the printing! You can see where the tails differ in terms of colour. Old Chester has colours that were never really intended (like the purple in the fluke) and you can see on new Chester that tail is far more accurate and the colours are more visibly clear.

I have ALSO added a protective gel coating over the “problem areas” including the sides of the monofin, the seam around the monofin pocket, the bum, the knees, and over my stitching at the waistband. This coating once heat-sealed permanent, and is resistant to damage both in and out of the water. I have tested it at the lake, at the pool, and with a nail file both in and out of the water.

It’s literally a merfolk miracle my dudes!!

The next thing that you will notice is that I have added boning to select fins on this tail. Boning is basically a narrow strip of flexible plastic which I carefully sew into specific channels along my fins to give them structure and support.

This makes a big difference for larger fins that have a tendency to collapse in on themselves, especially when you are posing for photos and swimming. I’ll tell you there isn’t anything quite like looking back at photos and finding out that your finds were folded over and look a bit uh… dumb.
The boning helps the fins hold their shape in the water as well which is incredible and really adds to the overall realism and mermaid vibe.

NOW.

For my big news…

Now that I have sourced a new supplier for both my fabric and printing, thanks to SparklegirlCostume.com I am FINALLY going to be able to open slots again for both pre-designed and custom mermaid tails.

BUT.

Yes there’s a but.

I will still not be publicly selling my tails. My tails will be available exclusively, in very limited quantities, to my Patreon Pod.

Why?

Because I have not had a good experience publicly selling my work. Honestly it’s been nightmarish at times and I have no interest in going back down that road. Thanks but no thanks.

Being a part of the Patreon Pod will not guarantee you access to my tails as it will be, like I mentioned, limited quantities. In the past what I’ve done is posted a tail slot and my patrons who were serious would let me know in the post and from there I would do a draw to try to make it more fair.

I may change or adjust that system at my own discretion moving forward but that is for future Courtney to worry about.

What is the Patreon Pod?

Well it’s my private online community made up of merfolk from all over the world. We have a private Discord where I do weekly livestreams, host events, and spent time with the pod! The Patreon Pod’s main page is where I share updates, behind the scenes, and replays of our livestreams.

​Check out the Patreon Pod here.

ALRIGHT! That’s it for me today my fishes!

Happy Swimming!
Courtney Mermaid