Polymer clay soft and flexible after curing

[Former_Member]

Hi guys, I recently started usig Cernit polymer clay in black and brown for my jewelry and cabochons. I noticed that this clay is quite soft and flexible after curing, kind of rubbery (though not that flexible). I wonder if I do something wrong, or it's normal for Cernit? Is there a way to make it harder?
My pieces are around 2-3 mm thick (around 0.1 inch) and I cure them at 125°C (257 F) for 30-40 minutes.

The clay I used before was not really soft after curing (but not even before curing, that's why I changed, and also because its price was raised too much).

Thanky for your help!

[Former_Member]

I don't have an experience with Cernit, but one thing I do with my clay (Sculpey and Fimo) after it comes out of the oven, is drop it in cold water while it's still really hot. It "tempers" it in a way and makes it harder and more durable. It also helps translucent clay become more translucent.

[Former_Member]

Great tip Alia, Thanks for sharing. I love working with Fimo translucent clay.

[Former_Member]

Me too. I like it better than the Sculpey kind, which has a yellowish cast.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Alia, I will try that. Though I'm scared the mica powers might not stay on the surface of the clay during the bath, so I might just put them on the cold floor of my balcony, the effect might be the same :))

[windysunset]

I work with cernit and it doesn't end up that flexible when I cure it. Just a tiny bit flexible, not much.