Bad clay ^^- it has come out too hard

[Mondstrahl]

Hello everybody,

thank you for being a member since today.
I have a problem:
started my first try yesterday and the clay comes out hard and cracky.
Is there a possibility to make it smooth?
I cooked it in a pan and think it was a little bit to long.
Tried another recipe today and cooked it in the microwave abd it was easier.
Tomorrow I will work with it, but the first touch was better then the clay from yesterday.
maybe there is solution to get ride of that hard clay from yesterday?

Thanks and greetings from Germany

[wendy harrington]

I am new to this also but it kinda sounds to me like you didnt put enough cold cream or baby oil in it along with cooking it too long

[Katy B.]

Mondstrahl, Depending on your recipe I would think you have most likely cooked it too long.
If you cooked it in the microwave up to 3 minutes should be long enough, stiring it after the first minute and then every 30 to 50 seconds until it is of a bread dough consistency. Spongy to touch but not sticky.

If you used the stove method then it could take up to 15 minutes continually stirring until it forms a ball in the pan. Should you find after the paste has cooled and you have rested it overnight and it is still sticky then you can re-heat and cook for a short time, but you need to watch it continually as it re-heats.
You also should knead it well - like bread dough - after it is cool enough to handle. Also before you begin modelling with it.

I too have had a 'tough' batch and I have used it for bases for floral sprays etc.
Cheers
Katy

[Mondstrahl]

Thank you for the answers :)

Yes, I also think I cooked it too long, and by this experience I will make my dough in the microwave.
That works well, the "new" dough form yesterday evening is still smooth and I am glad that I will start to work with it today.
When the "bad" dough came out, it wasn´t easy to knead, so that was a hint for me, but as a newbie, I wasn´t sure what is the right consitnce for this kind of dough.

I worked a long time with fimo, but some colors are very hard so it is a problem to knead them.
And I got problems with my hands over the last years, so it pains.
Was the first reason to try CP and with the dough from yesterday evening I think my problems are gone and I´m back to modelling.

Greeting from Germany

[Ibenia C.]

The best way to tell if your clay is done, is after you knead it = pull it apart...when this is done and a "peak" is formed on both sides of the pulled apart parts, then it is ready. Simple and silly, but of all the years I have making this clay, that's the best way to tell. Also, be sure to let the clay actually cool down after you take it off the stove and knead it, BEFORE storing it in a bag. The "sweat" will make the clay too soft and sponge like. Don't over cook and you should be fine! :) hope this information helps.
~Ibenia

[Patty Kono]

I’m sure you cooked your paste too long, but don’t throw it away.
There’re two ways to fix it:

First: put a pan with water in the stove and wait until starts boiling. Wrap your paste in a cloth and hold it above the pan for a while. When you notice that your paste is starting to get soft and it is sweating, take it of the cloth and knead again at the same way you do when you first cook it.

Second: make a new paste softer and when you finish kneading add the hard one and knead them together.