International Mermaid Day

by | Aug 18, 2016 | Celebration | 2 comments

It’s not secret I’m obsessed with mermaids, and my friend Caz is as well. We realized there wasn’t an official mermaid holiday, so we decided to make one ourselves! Let it be known that August 18th from here on out will be known as International Mermaid Day! We welcome you to participate. There are a bunch of ideas of how to celebrate on the Facebook event page, where we’d love for you to share your posts, pictures, quotes, thoughts, and more. Now I’m turning it over to Caz for a guest post about mermaiding!

Hi everyone! I’m Caz, but my mermaid persona name is Abyssia. I officially declared myself a mermaid just over a year ago when I bought my tail, but I’ve been inspired by them my whole life.
Since I could walk I’ve been swimming, starting off with competitive swimming before moving on to synchronized swimming, lifesaving, and even giving scuba driving a go. I always loved being underwater- I think it’s the closest feeling you can get to flying. Like most kids who loved the water. I was intrigued with mermaids, those amazing, powerful swimmers, who have ultimate freedom underwater.

Mermaids* can symbolize many things: Feminine power, body acceptance, exploring the depths of our subconscious, independent women free of demands & judgements on their bodies… the list goes on and I’m sure there are many that other merfolk could add. Mermaids may have different meanings to you and that’s awesome! I’d love to hear your interpretations in the comments.
I asked folk what they’d like to know about being a mermaid, and below are some of their questions, with my answers!

*I talk about ‘mermaids’ in this article, because that’s the term I use for myself, but when I use it in general terms I’m also referring to mermen and merpeople!

International Mermaid Day | Uncustomary

What inspired you to become a mermaid?

I’ve wanted to be a mermaid all my life, especially when I was a synchronized swimmer and working hard to develop grace and elegance in the water– even during difficult manoeuvres and after long periods of no oxygen. I’m a huge mythology geek and fell in love with them through stories from around the world, and through the many meanings behind them. But it was only in my mid-twenties that I found out that it was a real possibility after seeing beautiful tails appearing over the internet! Even then I held off for a few years, afraid of ridicule and being laughed at, or worse, shamed for being too fat, too old, too ugly to be a mermaid.

After a period of illness a few years ago, I finally threw fear to the winds and bought my first mermaid tail. From the first time I wore it I’ve had nothing but compliments and lovely feedback, and I wish I’d done so years before!

What do you call a group of mermaids?

Answers vary on this one, but ‘pod’ seems to be a popular answer. ‘Tribe’ can work too, and some people like ‘school’, but given that merfolk are part mammal, that seems too fishy to me.

I’m Trans/Genderqueer and/or lesbian, gay, bi, pan, ACE, etc. Is there a place for me in the mercommunity?

There are many LGBTQ people in the mercommunity! I think those of us who’ve had to deal with feeling different to others in our community for a long time are more likely to take the plunge and embrace their dream, not willing to be content with ‘normal’ when life can be amazing!

I’ve found the mercommunity to be wonderfully non-judgemental. We are all united through our love of merfolk, and value each other for our talents, uniqueness and ability to pull on a silicone tail without sweating.

I was really excited to learn that there’s a UK charity called Mermaids, which works and supports with Trans and gender variant children & young people. Check them out!

What do mermaids eat?

Coral cakes and seaweed burgers of course!

How do mermaids have babies?

Ask your mother!

What’s your favourite thing about being a mermaid?

The confidence it gives you! Despite long-term issues with body dysmorphia. I’ve always felt comfortable with my body in the water, and this carries through to my mermaid-persona. In the water, body shape and weight are mostly immaterial, and a mermaid tail transforms us all into the empowered, gorgeous and glorious beings we are deep down.

Plus, I’ve found that you can make a lot of people very happy just by appearing as a mermaid in public. When friends and I did a photoshoot at a local park, so many people stopped to smile and ask questions and take photos. Kids especially loved it! It’s so much fun to bring a bit of magic into people’s lives.

How do you swim in a mermaid tail? Do you need any special training or tools and equipment?

All it takes is a good butterfly kick! The fluke of most mermaid tails is a monofin, with footholes for your feet to go in. It can take a bit of wriggling to get your feet properly situated in a silicone tail, but once its own, you’ll find butterfly kick will have you soaring through the water.

It is advisable to be a strong swimmer before you try swimming with a tail. While they aren’t particularly difficult to swim in, less confident swimmers can find it a little scary to have their legs confined and to not be able to easily stand on the pool floor. Always try your tail out in shallow water first, with someone there to help you out if you get into difficulties.

I’m plus-sized/Goddess size/have a big bust/a flat chest/no curves/not many muscles/a non-gender-confirming body/visible disabilities—can I be a mermaid?

Absolutely! There is no right body shape to be a mermaid. Some mermaids are very slim and svelte. Others are curvy with plenty of padding. Some are lean, some are muscular, some are round and some are straight-up, some have four limbs, some don’t. Some have unique markings, others are without. Everyone can be a mermaid!

If you’re looking for a tail to fit a goddess (or god) sized body, The2Tails do a range of awesome ‘Curvy/Big’ Mermaid & Mermen tails, especially created for those rocking bigger sizes, in all their signatures fabrics.

Are there mermaid schools/courses out there?

Absolutely! More and more of these all the time. In the UK there’s a mermaid freediving course run by Freedive UK that I absolutely want to do next year. Weeki Wachee Park (famous for their mermaid shows) run mermaid courses each year. Other than that, google is your friend, or chat to other mermaids in your area!

How can I learn more about being a mermaid/merman/merperson?

The mer network has an incredible list of resources put together by professional and long-time mermaids, covering everything from making and buying tails, to hair and make-up, to how to go pro. I recommend joining the forums too.
Other than that, read blogs, find your local merpod (or start one) and talk to other mermaids. Watch YouTube tutorials. Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of merfolk!

How to be a mermaid (or merman, or merperson)

1. Fall in love with the water! Whether you love to swim, to paddle, sit close to lakes and oceans and enjoy their timeless tranquillity or revel in the awe-inspiring power of waterfalls and rivers, embrace the element of water into your life, with all its many meanings.

2. Love yourself. Mermaids are huge advocates of self-love, and don’t care a jot for the judgement of others. On land, people often judge us and make us feel that our shape, size, skin colour, gender identity, style, body modifications like tattoos and piercings etc. mean that we’re not 100% gorgeous and amazing in every way. Well merfolk are having none of it! Every mermaid (or merman, or merperson) is incredible, and beautiful and imbued with personal power and talents, and that includes you!

3. Mermaid your face! There are tons of make-up tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest, and you can have a lot of fun giving yourself scales and sparkles.

4. Do a photoshoot—whether with a professional photographer, or with a friend and their smartphone, mermaids know the value of getting some great photos of yourself. The world tells us we shouldn’t be ‘vain’ about our appearance but mermaids know that it’s not vain to love our bodies and to find positive things about our appearance, and what better way to celebrate these then getting dressed up in your favourite clothes or a costume and rocking your style for the camera!

5. Embrace difference: Whether in yourself or in others. The sea is a vast place, probably the most diverse place in the world! Get excited about difference, try to learn all you can about everyone! Diversity can only enrich our lives, and embracing it makes the world a happier, less fearful and far more fun place to be.

6. Sing! Whether you have a voice like a siren or (like me) you just burble happily to whatever you like, put on your favourite music and sing along. It’s always a great mood boost to sing to an empowering song, whether from a musical, a pop song, a lullaby or a rock ballad!

7. Embrace your natural looks. Mermaids often don’t have time for make-up and it washes off in the sea anyway. Spend some time with your face and hair as they are, and find things you love about them. Post a selfie if you’re feeling brave!

8. Enjoy yourself. Mermaids are playful, adventurous creatures, and being one should be fun!

9. Make or buy a mermaid tail. You can absolutely be a mermaid without a tail, but if you want one, there are plenty of ways to get one!

International Mermaid Day | Uncustomary

Making one:

There are tons of YouTube tutorials on how to make one. This one by Mermaid Sasha looks great!

Can’t sew? See if you have a friend or relative who’d be up for sewing the pieces together once you’re done, or maybe you and a sew-happy friend could make your tails together. Or it’s a great reason to learn!

Buying one:

There are tons of mermaid tail makers out there and I’m not going to go through them all- a good google will show you. Some are better than others and it’s always best to talk to current mermaids, read their reviews or check out posts in the Mer Network to find out what people’s experiences were with different sellers. My own silicone tail came from the Mertailor, and my fabric tail from The2Tails, but there are many more amazing makers out there!

What are the main types of tail?

There are two main types of tails. Fabric or silicone.

Fabric tails are made of stretchy fabrics that make them easy to get on and off, and very light to swim in. If you haven’t swum in a tail before, or if you’re getting one for recreational use, a fabric tail is probably a good bet. They’re a lot cheaper than silicone tails, don’t have the same drag issues and come in a wide variety of colours, prints and styles. My favourite go-to fabric tails are The2Tails Catalina tails or the Mertailor’s Ecotails but there are many more out there.

Silicone tails are bigger, heavier and more expensive. Because they are fitted to you so carefully, getting into them can be hard work and takes a little while, and they can still suffer from a slight drag effect in the water. Saying that, silicone tails tend to look incredibly real, and their huge flukes can give you incredible propulsion. If you’re looking to go pro as a mermaid, or simply crave the look of a silicone tail, then these are worth investigating. My own is one of the Mertailor’s basic silicone tails and I hope to purchase one of Finfolk Productions amazing creations one day, but there are many makers out there, each with their own style. The costs of a good silicone tail run fairly high so it’s important to find a style you really love, with a maker you have faith in.

[pextestim pex_attr_name=”Caz Galloway” pex_attr_img=”https://uncustomary.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/International-Mermaid-Day-Uncustomary-3.jpg” pex_attr_occup=”Mermaid” pex_attr_org=”Blog” pex_attr_link=”https://rainbowsandrockpools.wordpress.com/” pex_attr_parallax=”disabled”]Caz is a real-life mermaid and a blogger. Her blog, Rainbows and Rock Pools, focuses on positive actions and Random Acts of Kindness. She aims to bring a little magic to every day life, fill the world with rainbows and enjoy lots of cake.[/pextestim]

Photography: Pee’s Photography

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle