How to condition polymer clay

Polymer clay has to be conditioned before we're able to work with it. This is done both because it makes the clay softer and smoother and also because it makes the baked clay harder and more difficult to break.

The simplest method to condition the clay is through kneading. Take a chunk of polymer clay and start kneading it with your hands, until it is soft and pliable.The warmth of your hands and the force applied does the trick.

Alternatively, you can use a clay roller (those acrylic ones) and start rolling on a clean surface SMALL portions of clay, or run it through a pasta machine for polymer clay, time after time, until you feel it is soft.

One way to tell if the polymer clay is ready to work with is to take a small chunk, roll it into a ball,  roll it again so as to elongate it to the shape of a carrot let's say, and then bend it in the centre. If the clay breaks you are not done with conditioning..

Sometimes clay is just too hard to work with. This can be due to the fact that it stayed on a shelf for too long, or it wasn't sealed properly. The only way that you can try and save this type of clay is adding a clay conditioner, a few drops at a time, and knead portions of it with your hands. Sadly there are cases that even this won't help so it's time to just throw it away and begin with a new chunk.
Next time you go out to buy your clay test it with your hands and see if it is soft enough to make a dent when you press it. If it's not, go shop elsewhere, or ask for a different batch.