Why is my clay sticky after I have recondition it to workable clay?

Question

I had some dry-out clay and a project for school came up so I recondition my clay so that it is workable. But now it is sticky and I cannot roll it out or form it into anyt shapes.
Thanks You for your answers

Answer 1

I don't know what kind of clay you are using but it sounds like it might be too wet.

If you are doing a project for school, maybe your teacher/professor can help.

Answer 2

I also don't know what kind of clay you're using... an "air dry" clay, earth clay, polymer clay, epoxy putty clay, etc. Why it might be sticky or not hold its shape could be quite different for each type.

We use the word "conditioning to describing making polymer clay pliable, so if you're using polymer clay, you might have just warmed it too much (especially if it was already a soft clay like Sculpey). It would probably still formable into shapes though unless you'd also added something like veg oil, etc. in an effort to make it softer (and added too much). If you did that, you could add more clay or maybe add other things into it, etc.

If you were using an air dry clay though, and added water to it to it to "condition" it, you might again have added too much, but it should dry out a bit making it stiffer (but don't let it dry out all the way).

(If it's polymer clay, you may want to check out this page for future reference:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/Conditioning.htm )


Diane B.

Answer 3

Sounds like you may have put in too much water. Wrap in in a damp towel and let it sit out for a day or so and check it again to see if it is workable.