Conditioning polymer clay can be a fairly quick and easy process. Condition only one package of clay at a time (and be sure to wash your hands in between to avoid accidental mixing of colors). Begin by warming the clay between your hands, and then kneading and stretching it until is becomes soft and pliable

Conditioning with an acrylic roller

1. Cut a slice of clay from the block of clay.
2. Roll it until it is 2-3 mm thick using an acrylic roller.
3. Slice the rolled clay in half with a blade. We recommend slicing the clay instead for folding it as air can get trapped if the clay is folded.
4. Stack the pieces and roll the clay again to 2-3mm thick.
5. Do this 6 or more times until you can bend the clay without it cracking on the fold line.
6. On your final roll, roll it to the desired thickness. Use two guides positioned on either side of the clay to roll your clay to the desired thickness. I use two pieces of board that are 4mm thick so that my tiles are the same thickness as most commercially manufactured glass tiles.

If you are planning to make a lot of tiles you can also use a clay rolling machine to condition the clay.

Texture should be added to your tile before it is cut, as you can distort the shape of your tile if you do it after the tile is cut.

Here are some ways you can add texture to your tile, but this is only limited by your imagination.

Stamps or Textured Sheets

Rubber stamps or textured sheets can be used to create a deep textured impression in the clay. You can get stamps for depicting pictures, individual letters, words, quotes or patterns. When selecting stamps get deeply etched ones as finer details can get lost.

Moisten or mist the sheet of clay lightly before stamping to prevent the prevent the stamp or textured sheet from sticking.

Wooden Embellishments

Using Tools

Using Items From Around The House

Items from around your house can include lids of pens, chain, bottle lids, jeweller or anything that makes an interesting impression.

Mixing Colours