board#055: noserider for Michelle

a mermaid on a Mere-Made for mermaid Michelle!

Dimensions: 9'0  x 22 1/4 x 3
[completed in August 2014]
Model Velzy

The story: Michelle has been one of my very first supporter when I started shaping. We knew each other from Blogger and after we met for the first time, we became friends in real life. She ordered me board#008/"Mo" back in 2012 (click here for the story). Since then she has been so supportive that I often joke she is  my best sales rep! But I would hire her for real if I had the money!!!! She would do awesome as a Mere-Made representative! One day maybe…

Last year she texted me with a surfboard custom order: she wanted a "purple/deep blue/emerald noserider with a blond glittery mermaid on the deck". I was jumping up and down inside!!! Not only I was going to make my friend Michelle her second board but she was asking everything I would wish for on my own surfboard…

The shape: I naturally used the noserider template I made for a previous board (see here) which I adjusted for Michelle's dimension request. The shape was fastidious: a longboard is a lot of foam to deal with ;))) It barely fitted in my shaping room. I had to shape the tail with the door open! I worked a very pronounced spoon and smooth 50-50 rails for a single fin setting. I shaped this board before I left for vacation, keeping the hard work for when I come back.

The artwork: the artwork was the hard work. It took me  twice the hours I spent on the shaping (10-12 hours). Probably the most challenging piece I had to create so far. But I learnt a lot from this. Specially how to integrate glitter (which my glasser was not very fond of …). Anyway, the countless hours of work paid off, I think… When I went to pick it up at Global Glassing they said: "you can't put wax on this piece of art!!!" It means the world to me. By the way, a big shout out to Johnny, my glasser at Global Glassing, and all the folks who participated to the glass of this board. I know it was challenging but they did an amazing job. So thankful to have a great glass team behind all my boards… Thank you guys!

Testimonial (09/22/14_Facebook comment from Michelle"):
"AND she rides just as good as she looks.. I feel don't do her justice! I need to up my skill level! 
This board is also good therapy .. Made me get back in the water and now I want to go everyday.. Ha!"

I love those white logos printed by Boardlams

Michelle and "Esmeralda" (board#055)