{"id":442,"date":"2008-09-14T17:29:38","date_gmt":"2008-09-15T00:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=442"},"modified":"2008-09-15T18:36:27","modified_gmt":"2008-09-16T01:36:27","slug":"conditioning-how-to-polymer-clay-tools-techniques-and-instructions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/conditioning-how-to-polymer-clay-tools-techniques-and-instructions\/442\/","title":{"rendered":"Conditioning How To – Polymer Clay Tools, Techniques and Instructions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Conditioning<\/p>\n

Several different ways to condition Fimo clay?
\n<\/span><\/strong>
\nQ: <\/strong><\/span><\/span>I don’t have a pasta machine. Is there another way to condition the clay? I didn’t realize the amount of work involved when I bought the clay. Can I use a roller instead of a pasta machine?<\/span> ~Barbara<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A: <\/strong><\/span>First let’s define what it means to condition clay. It’s basically just the process of thoroughly mixing or kneading the pigments and plasticizers together so that clay is consistent throughout and easier to manipulate. With conditioning, you also want to work out any air bubbles that may be trapped inside the clay. This can be done in a few different ways, with a few different tools.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can condition by hand. Simply cut off small amounts of Fimo off the block and squeeze or knead the pieces in your hands until they are warm and pliable. Keep doing this in small batches. Then gather together the small batches into one larger ball and continue to knead until you can roll it out easily into a smooth flat sheet with an acrylic roller.<\/span><\/p>\n

Warm hands will help soften the clay. Another way to warm the clay so it conditions easier, is to fill a hot water bottle with warm water and rest the clay on the bottle for a bit. Then knead.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you find your hands getting fatigued from kneading the clay, you may want to use a ‘clay-dedicated’ food processor to do the heavy work for you. You can read about this technique here: Condition Fimo Clay with a Food Processor<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

By far the easiest way to condition polymer clay is with a pasta machine. I have written about how to use this helpful tool here: How To Polymer Clay Conditioning Tips<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Those of you who have signed up to my Polymer Clay Tutor Guest<\/a> List will have seen a video that shows you the proper way to condition clay to avoid trapping air. This is important because it is very frustrating to have a beautifully made bead or pendant come out of the oven with baked air pockets all over it! So you’ll want to make sure you are removing air from your clay and not adding it!<\/span><\/p>\n

This Q+A article provided instructions for how to condition polymer clay by hand and with commonly used clay tools. If the information was helpful, please be sure to leave a comment below. Thanks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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