Happy Camper Cane | Polymer Clay Tutorial Vol-073

6 Videos #526 to #531: Featuring a fun polka dot technique (optional) using one of Cynthia Tinapple’s new extruder disk designs.

Images of Vintage Trailer and Retro Campers are Hot, Hot, Hot! You will find them everywhere, in jewelry, fabrics, Scrapbooking papers and patterns, all kinds of creative places. It represents the nostalgic memories of the simpler days, having fun camping with friends and family.

They are just so darn cute too! So in the spirit of Summer and Roadtrips and camping… I thought it would be super fun to make a darling polymer clay cane in the shape of a vintage trailer for our next upcoming PcT Tutorial Series.

Posted just below is a Sneak Peak and overview of my Happy Camper Polymer Clay Cane Tutorial. The rest of the 6 part video series will be posted tomorrow (Friday, June 6, 2014) in Vol-073 at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library.

BTW, if this Happy Camper Polymer Clay Cane Tutorial looks exciting to you, please do click that YouTube Like button. Many of you have been giving the Thumbs Up to the weekly YouTube videos, which is great… Thank You! However, these monthly intro clips need some love as well. When they don’t get as many likes, it makes it look like they are not appreciated as much… which surely can’t be true with all the nice comments you all leave :)

Vol-073-1: Video #526: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will learn how to create my original Happy Camper Polymer Clay Cane design. Included are many tips, tricks and techniques that you can can use to create this cool cane in the colors and style I suggest, or your own, to make truly one-of-a-kind polymer clay projects. These adorable and funky looking complex canes, can be used to create cute bracelets, earrings, pendants, and other jewelry pieces. Plus the design is great for making crafty fridge magnets and buttons too. This project will appeal to all ages, as it makes you smile, dreaming about the happy times, hitting the road in a cute little camper.

Vol-073-2: Video #527:
Polka Dot Cane:

In this video, I demonstrate how to make a retro looking polka dot cane using an extruder tool and one of the disks from Cynthia Tinapple’s new extruder disk set. I also show you how to make the polka dot cane by hand, just in case you aren’t able to pick up Cynthia’s new product at this time. The polka dot pattern is not only a great design element for today’s Happy camper cane, but it also works with many other jewelry projects as well. Of course if you prefer to not have a polka dot section on your Happy Camper Cane… that is totally up to you!

Vol-073-3: Video #528:
Planning Building Trailer Design:

In this video, you will use the polka dot cane from the second video to create the top portion of your trailer design. I will show you how to tweak your design; How to add an element such as a pinstripe; How to add the bottom section; and How to map out the rest of your cane design. These techniques can be used in future canes of your own design, and can be adapted to your own personal taste. Once you have made this cane once, you will understand how all complex cane patterns are just a series of parts… much like putting together the pieces of a puzzle.

Vol-073-4: Video #529:
Cutting Out The Window And Door:

In this lesson, you will learn some unique techniques for spacing the components of your cane design, such as the window and door. The tips and techniques you learn here can be transferred to other cane projects that you may create in the future. I will show you how the careful removal of excess clay is critical to avoiding distortion and broken or wiggly lines in your cane design. Things that are not that noticeable before reduction of the cane, can look very off when compressed smaller. It’s all in the details!

Vol-073-5: Video #530:
Window Door Tire Doorknob:

In this video, you will learn about important information about the proper way to make and add several of the smaller cane elements that need to be incorporated into the main design of your cane (i.e. the windows, door, tire and doorknob elements). Although the overall cane project may seem complex, once broken down into it’s individual components, you will find that the parts are quite simple to make. There are some cool tricks to getting the pieces to all fit together properly that I think you will really appreciate.

Vol-073-6: Video #531:
Completing The Cane:

In this video, the cane really starts to come together! The tire and doorknob are added, and the overall cane is wrapped and reduced to a usable size. I will give you pointers for reducing the cane successfully, but for more in depth info you can refer to this Free Video Tutorial: Reducing Square Polymer Clay Canes. You can use this cane for making tons of funking polymer clay projects, such as earring, pendants, beads, bracelets, buttons, magnets and so much more. This tutorial is a technique tutorial and not a project one. So if you need more help with how to actually use your Happy Camper Cane, do a search here on my blog for more info about baking, sanding, polishing and creating jewelry projects. I think you are going to love making this adorable Happy Camper Cane and will be itching to create all kinds of cute trailer designs of your own, once you’re done making this cutie!

Other Suggested Supplies:

• Cynthia Tinapple Extruder Disks
• Baking Tray.
• File Folder, Cardstock, or Aluminum Roasting Pan for tenting.
• Stiff large drinking straw.
• Flat piece of acrylic.
• Small 1/2 inch round cutter.
• Ruler.

By the way, many of the “shopping” links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are “affiliate” resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials down. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay, even if it is a “sale” price. So please feel free to click whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for your support.

The full video series for the Happy Camper Cane tutorial described above, is available in Vol-073 at the Polymer Clay Library.

If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials

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… Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my monthly library tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.

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The full video series for the Happy Camper Cane tutorial described above, is available in Vol-073 at the Polymer Clay Library.

If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials