Just an update. I think what I did helped?

I made a few test petals and am waiting for them to dry. When they dry I bend the heck out of them and pull at them. That gives me an idea what kind of abuse the final project can take.

So far I’ve noticed more flexibility with the alterations I did than without. I might have magnet safe flowers, but still not sure on pins, earrings, etc, until everything fully dries. Anyways I thought I should post a photo to show what kind of things I am doing:

I’m not sure if it turned out. The stuff was a dream to sculpt, press into molds, removed easy, I could manipulate the shape better, but dried brittle and semi-crumbly like beeswax. So I’m still looking.

As far as amounts, I go by touch and how the clay feels, so not an exact measurement. I will either add a few drops and knead into the clay or rub on the surface with either my fingers or a clay tool.

So far what I’ve observed any of these will thin the clay:

Water/ saliva – use sparingly. Only to neaten up edges or add slight tackiness. Mixed will make the clay flake apart and cause it to rub like eraser shavings. It also makes the clay more brittle. I do not recommend water at all if needed for more than just rubbing off a rough surface on a small area. I suspect the other has some oil so less harsh, or just easier to moderate/ or I am just lazy or working in my bed before going to sleep.

Oil/ hand lotion: makes the clay smooth, possibly greasy. Makes it easier to remove from mold, but harder to press onto shallow molds. Also makes it harder to stick to itself.

Acrylic paint drying retarder Smooths out cracks/ makes kneading easier. Delays drying time. Also makes the clay stickier. I use this when sculpting petals or working directly onto something. Caution: As the clay dries, it can crack if the clay gets flexed or moved before fully drying. If that happens, then the area needs to be reworked or kneaded again. Overall, the clay becomes more paste like. (I suspect this is the “glycerin” suggested in some recipes, though not food safe.)

Acetone/ Acetone-like substances – dissolves the glue? Makes it softer like above, possibly sticky again. Seemed to salvage an over-baked batch.

More glue: Softer, stickier, fills in cracks, may save some weak spots. I just recently started using this.

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Things I’m going to try:

Use Golden Acrylic body medium as an amendment or as part of the glue mix in the next batch

Try tacky glue or modge podge instead of elmar’s glue.

Oops. Post #2.

The finished pieces seem to have set. The hardness is much like ceramic or, well, porcelain. I’m going ahead and finishing them off with pastels/ paint and do a test run with magnets. I’ll give a few of them to friends and family.

It seems one batch I used is not as strong as the other. (Elmar’s school glue vs. glue all) The Glue all with vinegar used was better than the one I tried with school glue + lemon juice. Some of the pieces finished weak and brittle. Most seem okay. They survive being dropped on the floor, picked up, rubbed and regular handling. I can’t bend or flex them. If done, then they will crack. Depending on the individual piece, this can take a bit of effort to do. The pieces are stronger than they look overall.
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Overall:
– School Glue, not buying again even if it is the only glue our Walmart had and walmart being the closest place selling the 1 cup glue bottle sizes.
– Glue All – okay product. Dries firm, ceramic like. Can crack if bent, but otherwise rigid and shatter proof.

A friend of mine was doing experiments this last week. I left him with one of my older clay projects, a silicone mold I made, some of my clay and the recipe.

There was something he did by accident. The process involved using vinegar afterwards. The result yielded something exactly as I wanted. The leaf he cast from my mold was very flexible. I could roll it around in my hand long after it had dried and cured. It looks like if the result can be repeated I might have found my solution.

I think I found another way that is easier to reproduce. I kind of want to keep it a secret but I can give you enough pointers that I believe you’ll be able to figure it out. I’ll send you a pm.