What is “conditioning” and why is it important?
All polymer clays must be conditioned before using them in any project, even the clays that are already quite soft. Conditioning makes the clay more malleable and softer; it also aligns the molecules and makes it stronger. Without proper conditioning cured pieces will be fragile and brittle.To condition polymer clay by hand slice and chop the clay into small pieces. Knead and roll the clay into a snake shape, stretch it out, fold it over several times, and roll it back into a snake. Do this at least ten times. Conditioning polymer clay with a pasta machine simplifies and speeds up the process. Cut clay into approximately thick slices. Roll the slices through the pasta machine on the thickest setting. Stack a couple of slices together and roll them through together. Stack these, turn them sideways, and roll them through again. Repeating this process with several slices will form a sheet of clay. Fold the sheet in half, roll this through the pasta machine inserting the folded edge first.
