Planet Mermaid Blog
Are Mermaids Real?
New year… new thought and one which I am sure you are all wondering.“Are mermaids real?” “Do they actually exist?”This question has been asked a million times over, have there been real sightings or are we letting our imagination get the better of us and want to truly believe in this magical phenomenon? Mythology has claimed that mermaids or mermaid like creatures have been on our planet for thousands of years, some even claim to have originated as yearly as 1000 B.C. There are countless stories that tell of “real life” encounters. Captain John Smith's real mermaid One of those stories being from a sea captain “Captain John Smith” who described how he saw a mermaid swimming with such grace, her eyes were large and she had a finely shaped short nose and well-formed ears that he said were rather too long! Her hair was long and green which he went on to state “imparted to her an original character that was by no means unattractive”. In fact Smith fell for the mermaid’s beauty and started to fall in love with her until he had the realisation that she was a fish from the waist down. Infamous Christopher Columbus real mermaid story Another encounter, and probably one of the most famous, came from Christopher Columbus. Columbus had claimed he had spotted mermaids near Haiti in 1493 which he went on to describe them as being “not as pretty as they were depicted, for somehow in their face they look like men” a quote taken from the American Museum of Natural History. Modern mermaids - New Zealand More recently sightings have been seen around the world, in 2012 workers were reported to have been scared off a dam they were working on by an irate mermaid and then more recently in 2014 fishermen claimed to have found remains of a mermaid in the South Island of New Zealand. Fiji / Feejee mermaid This "real" mermaid is probably one of the most famous ones due to this mermaid remains having a large number of replicas and therefore photo proofs!Fishermen in certain areas were known for manufacturing mermaids by stitching bodies of little mammals, such as apes onto the fish bodies to create the mermaid looking creatures. They didn't look like beautiful charming women at all.Fiji mermaid, also known as Barnum's mermaid was bought by the American captain Samuel Barrett Edes from Japanese sailors in 1822. The mermaid remains changed a few owners and ended up sold to the famous showman Phineas Barnum who was known for his passion to hoaxes and curiosities. Barnum invited a naturalist to examine the mermaid and even though he wasn't convinced it was real, he couldn't prove it is was a man-made creation as he couldn't understand how it was manufactured.The Fiji mermaid was displayed in numerous places including the American Museum of Natural History. It has been lost during the multiple fires in the 1860th. In conclusion there is no real scientific evidence of their actual existence but none either to conclude that they are just a fantasy. We love the idea of their existence and relish in their fantasy. We can now even become mermaids ourselves and swim freely in the sea or pool in our own mermaid tails, mermaid tops, mermaid leggings, monofins and amazing mermaid accessories. Whether we are an adult or a child there are mermaid tails out there for all to experience this amazing phenomenon. Visit our shop to view our latest in amazing mermaid tails for kids and adults alike! Keep mermaiding
Why is there a big mermaid phenomenon?
If you have a little person like me who is obsessed with anything mermaid related do you ever stop to wonder how it all came about? It fascinates me that mermaids have occupied our imagination for thousands of years, originating in ancient Assyria with the legend of goddess Atargatis, whose worship spread to Greece and Rome and Atargatis the goddess of fertility who is associated with a fish-bodied goddess at Ascalon. It is even thought that worship of Atargatis and Ascalon eventually merged into one, leading to the description of one ‘mermaid-goddess’ It just blows my mind that mermaids are swamped in history and even to this day are such a big part of our lives through one way or another. Famous films, both for adults and children alike, are still a big hit and are watched time and time again never growing old. New and exciting merchandise is coming out daily including tails you can actually swim in and feel like a real mermaid and to my utter delight they are not just for the little ones! www.planetmermaid.com Other great examples I have found are.. Keyrings www.amazon.co.uk Cushions www.amazon.co.uk Mermaid Hangers www.planetmermaid.com Make up brushes…one for the older clientele! www.planetmermaid.com Beach Towels www.etsy.com Bath Bombs www.etsy.com and finally one of my favorites which I think just sums being a mermaid lover Bracelets www.etsy.com Personally I think its success comes down to the fact that there is no age limit associated with enjoying anything mermaid related, no matter whether you are big or small. Mermaiding in any form is just simply magical. Will this phenomenon end….I very much doubt it! Keep mermaiding!
Have a Fantastic Festive Season!
Have a fantastic festive season! Who said Christmas can’t be all about mermaids? From the top of the tree to the party games and wrapping paper, we’ve got your Under The Sea theme covered… Tree-mendous trees Whether you live by the sea or by the train station, you can still bring the ocean into your home. From starfish baubles to jingling jelly fish and colourful clown fish, these types of Christmas trees are every mermaid lover’s dream. Sea-ing is believing! All wrapped up Ready to wrap up your Planet Mermaid tail, but fed up with all the snowmen, sprigs of holly and cute teddies that adorn all the usual festive wrapping paper? Just use some gorgeous mermaid wrapping paper instead – then place it perfectly under your mermaid-mad Christmas tree. It’ll look so so-fish-ticated. Oh, La La Toast! What’s your Christmas morning breakfast tradition? Forget the salmon and Bucks Fizz and try these delicious French toast mermaids. All you need is a mermaid cookie cutter, a frying pan, eggs, milk and bread. Then, voilà, you have your very own festive treat. Snail’s pace Who needs pigs in blankets when you can have sea snails? With some yummy hot dogs and puff pastry, you’ve got the ideal accompaniment to your turkey and roast potatoes. We’re not sure they’d go swimmingly with gravy though! Twist it Filled your tums with Christmas dinner and all the trimmings? Now it’s time for Mermaid Twister! The rules? Simple: they’re the same as normal Twister, you just need to wear your Planet Mermaid Tail and spin the wheel – ‘Left hand right, tail fin left!’ Just keep that balance and you’ll be fin-tastic! Lazy mermaids The games are over, the turkey sandwiches are in the fridge and it’s time to chill on the sofa. But instead of the same old Home Alone, Elf and Love Actually, these films might float your boat instead: The Little Mermaid Splash Aquamarine Barbie In A Mermaid Tale Killer Mermaid The Little Mermaid II: Return To The Sea Mermaids Mr Peabody and The Mermaid The Thirteenth Year Fish Tales If this isn’t enough to make your Christmas mermaid-filled, just head over to grab one of our festive stockings and fill it to the brim with all our stocking fillers. You’ll be saying Ho Ho Ho in no time!
Christmas is Coming
Festive mermaid fun Christmas is coming, the shops are filling up with all things glittery and Planet Mermaid are super excited to announce that you are on our nice list this year! So, whether you’re mermaid mad yourself or you know a little girl or boy who dreams of being a mermaid, we’ve got the festive goodies for you… Winter’s tail With only seven weeks until the big man comes down the chimney, you can forget your traditional Christmas stocking – hang up these mermazing stockings on your fireplace and then fill them to the brim with ALL our accessories. Brush up All mini (and mighty) mermaids love make-up, and these beautiful mermaid brushes are ideal for perfecting that Ariel-inspired look. And with 10 in a pack, you can definitely say that your collection’s complete. Luscious locks No mermaid wants tangles in her hair, but every mermaid wants to look gorgeous in the pool – so now you can get the best of both worlds with our swimming hat! Spec-tacular Who cares about chlorine when you can look amazing in a pair of Planet Mermaid goggles? With pretty stars and a pink strap, every mermaid will stand out in the water. That’s a wrap Even out of the pool, mermaids need to look the part and now you can with our cute hair scrunchies and wraps for adults and children. From Purple Surf to Rainbow Carnival and Ocean Kiss, our colours will match your look on land. Birthday mermaids Some mermaids are lucky enough to celebrate a birthday over the Christmas period, so why not mark the occasion with one of our mermaid birthday cards and a gift box? You can never have too much sparkle in December Mermaid movies When it comes to the big day itself, make sure you’ve got your phone or camera ready to capture the Christmas unwrapping joy. Then share the photos and videos with us on Instagram and Facebook – it’s the time for spreading Christmas cheer! Santa delivery Your Christmas dreams are important to us at Planet Mermaid, but with our festive UK delivery dates and exchange policies, they will certainly come true. From 18th December, we recommend Next Day Guaranteed to avoid disappointment, or: Tuesday 18th December: 2nd Class/Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class Thursday 20th December: 1st Class/Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class/Royal Mail Tracked 48 Friday 21st December: Royal Mail Tracked 24 Saturday 22nd December: Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed If you’re an international customer, fear not, we’ve got you covered with a three-day turnaround from £25: Tuesday 4th December: Africa, Middle East Friday 7th December: Cyprus, Malta, Asia, Far East, Eastern European (except Poland, Czech Republic and Solvakia) Saturday 8th December: Caribbean, Central and South America Monday 10th December: Greece, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand Friday 14th December: Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Poland and USA Saturday 15th December: Finland, Sweden Monday 17th December: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland Tuesday 18th December: Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg Now mermaids, swim away to our shop and start filling up that basket. Then keep your eyes peeled for some flipping amazing offers and giveaways on our Facebook page!
How to become a mermaid?
Mermaids are the new unicorns - the next trendy mythological creature to take over the world. No-one can resist adding some magic and fairy tale to their routine lives by spending a couple of hours living in an underwater wonderland. So, let us tell you the secret for making the dreams come true. 1. Mermaid tail The most important feature of a real mermaid, is a mermaid tail. What makes a good tail is a nice, large rigid tail tip. There are multiple types of mermaid tails. Here at Planet Mermaid we create fabric tails which are very lightweight, combined with a separate rigid monofin insert to help improve swimming action. An alternative to fabric is mermaid tails made from silicone. These come as a single piece and while they weigh more, the silicone allows for different textures and shapes. The choice is yours! Our mermaid tails for children are made from fabric as the weight of the material is key; however we are also launching a range of silicone adult tails. 2. Mermaid hair Hairstyle is extremely important for a complete mermaid look. Just think of that beautiful quiff that the Little Mermaid has. Depending on how adventurous you are, you can go for an effortless beach waves style or for a full mermaid hair colour that became so popular around Instagram recently. Beach waves style can be created with some salt water spray or just a bit of wax. Follow this tutorial to recreate it - no curling iron is required, so it works well for young mermaids too as it doesn’t damage hair. For those feeling more adventurous, try mermaid hair colouring. This could be done with a variety techniques and dyes. We would suggest trying hair chalks. The colours will be less pronounced, however it doesn’t affect the hair and will wash out with the first wash. Just perfect for both little mermaids and adult ones. Some inspiration for you! Anything from gentle pinks to saturated purples and greens would look amazing. The devil is in the details. Add some marine accessories - like these starfish clips by PoppyCoast shop. 3. Water Mermaid outfits are often worn for photoshoots only or as fancy dress. If that’s your case, feel free to skip these last steps to becoming a mermaid. However, if you are into swimming, you should find some water first. Unfortunately some of the UK’s swimming pools banned use of mermaid tails, so give your local swimming pool a call before going there to ensure that swimming with a monofin is allowed.Hotel swimming pools and resort beaches are normally very loyal to mermaids, so taking your tail on holiday is a must.We are opening up a network of mermaid-friendly swimming pools across the UK, you can sign up here to stay up-to-date with local openings. 4. Mermaid swimming training The next step to becoming a mermaid is to learn to swim as a mermaid! There are certain safety rules to follow when starting swimming with a monofin. You should be able to swim pretty well before trying swimming with a monofin. Try swimming with no tail and only a monofin first. A dolphin kick may feel a bit complicated at the beginning but swimmers pick it up very fast. You can find more rules here. The next step is the most exciting one! Get your tail ready! 5. Become a mermaid! And the last step to experiencing true mermaid life is to wear your beautiful mermaid tail, jump into the water and swim as a mermaid, stealing all the attention whether you are on the beach or at the swimming pool! Don’t forget to take a Go Pro or a waterproof phone to shoot some amazing mermaid swimming videos! A post shared by Planet Mermaid (@planetmermaid) on Sep 10, 2017 at 8:53am PDT Have you seen our Royal Koi collection yet? We found inspiration from the Royal Koi fish with its beautiful scales.
Planet Mermaid in EastEnders!
How wonderful that one of our 'original' tails appeared on a recent episode in EastEnders. The very talented and gorgeous actress Luisa Bradshaw-White aka Tina Carter from the infamous Carter clan was stunningly dressed in an opulent headpiece and our nationwide favorite 'Frozen Blue' mermaid tail. The scene was set - she was draped across the kitchen table at the EastEnders studio with an array of shellfish and a stunning glittering tail. Unfortunately the scene ended with the little mermaid not jumping for joy, well it is EastEnders!! However she looked super in her Planet Mermaid tail! We are very happy to dress the UK talent on British TV and have worked closely with organisations such as Lime Pictures, ITV, BBC and a variety of corporate events for awards ceremonies. Of course the only way is PLANET MERMAID!!!! I'm sure Bobby Norris from TOWIE would agree as he looks fantastic in his Planet Mermaid made to measure swimming tail. He made a strong impact in a recent episode of Towie that aired in the Summer of 2015. We have worked with various professional organisations assisting with events and coordinating high end products for display, promotion, tv, film and leaders of marketing know that nothing quite hits a spot like a mermaid! (even a tattooed merman can look stunning dancing on the decks of Marbella). The magical creatures are so spectacular that seeing them swim is a real treat. We have supported and dressed mermaids worldwide and love what we do :) We recently supported an awards ceremony for Celebrity Cruises in London. You can see the images below and I'm sure you would agree that the professional swimmers from Aquabatixs look stunning in their Industry styled mermaid sets from Planet Mermaid. If you are holding a special event and want to work with a creative flexible organisation then get in touch for a chat to discuss how we can assist your next mermaid moment. Swimming at a award ceremony in London support@planetmermaid.com Email for support with your next event
The Little Mermaid - A Disney Classic
The Little Mermaid is amazing because it gives an insight into a world we can only dream of – the deep blue sea. What little girl wouldn’t want to be a mermaid and have underwater adventures?! We’ve pulled together some of the main reasons why you need to re-watch this mermaid film which made everyone want to live ‘under da sea’! Important lessons Disney movies are renowned for teaching children the ways of life. Whether it’s to follow your own path in life like Pocahontas, there’s always something to learn. One of the most important lessons in The Little Mermaid is to follow your dreams, however impossible they may seem. Ariel never thought she could live above the water but her dream eventually came true. Mermaid hair Out of all the Disney heroines, there’s no doubt about it – Ariel’s hair takes the crown. It’s so thick and lovely, and most of all it’s bright red. How many Disney princesses have red hair?! This makes Ariel really relatable to red haired girls all over the world and proves they can be just as beautiful as blondes or brunettes. Something for everyone Some Disney films can be a bit girly and don’t appeal to a wide audience – but this film isn’t one of them. While Ariel’s love life is the centre of the plot, the baddy is the scariest baddy in the whole Disney archive and there’s sharks, seagulls and plenty of other wildlife to capture attention. Would you like to become a mermaid just like Ariel? Here at Planet Mermaid we sell Mermaid tails, Tops and Fins to make the dream a reality!
