Make polymer clay less frustrating

We work with polymer clay because enjoy it, right? And whether it's our hobby, our stress relief, or part of our work, nobody wants to deal with frustrations. Here are some easy wins...

1. Warm Your Clay

Nobody likes hard, crumbly clay. I know you've heard all the advice about conditioning or adding softeners. But even before you do those things, try warming your clay. Yes, just get it up to body temperature and you'll find that conditioning, mixing, and sheeting is much easier. You can "wear" your blocks in your pocket or bra. Or use a heating pad on low to warm the blocks you'll be using.

2. Make Smaller Slices

You're never going to completely eliminate the way that unconditioned clay shatters when you roll it. It is just the physical nature of clay to shatter when sudden pressure is applied (especially for brands like Fimo and CosClay). It's worse when the clay is old and "settled". 

Instead, try starting with slices no thicker than what fits through your pasta machine's thickest setting. And try firmly pressing this slice between your palms first. Once you feel this slice begin to yield to pressure, THEN try rolling it. 

Bonus: Put a tray or piece of paper under the pasta machine to catch the crumbles.

3. Keep Your Workspace Clean

I know, I know. It's all too easy to get wrapped up into your project and start pushing things to the side as you go. Next thing you know, there's that famous 6" square of free space in which to work. STOP!

Take a few minutes to clean your work area while you're working. Make sure those little crumbs from the pasta machine don't make their way onto your hands, tools, and unwanted areas. Use deli sheets for temporary storage and resting places so you don't set clean clay down on dirty surfaces. Wipe your tools between uses, and always before putting them away.

Ditch the fuzzy sweater, tie your hair back, and keep furry companions in the other room. Pay diligent attention as you go, training yourself to notice the flaws. And always, do a final check before baking with some magnifying lenses so you can find (and fix) these things before they're baked in.

4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Anyone

When we were children, we were compared to our siblings and classmates constantly. Don't fall for that pattern now. It was used to control us then, and it still distracts us from our own progress. Your journey is yours. Nobody else had your unique circumstances and challenges. Looking at others to see what's possible? That's fine. But if you find yourself using that comparison as proof that you're not talented enough or worthy enough, that's the old control mechanism still running.