reusing unfired clay - cracking

[mama3]

Hi.  I am new to this forum.  I have just started using Artclay slow dry.  I am trying to get smooth, mirror finish pieces.  I haven't had a problem using the fresh clay that is right out of the package.  But when I try to use the leftover, unfired clay it doesn't seem to be working well.  I have spritzed it with water, kneaded well and it seems to roll out nicely.  The problem starts once I cut it to the shape I want it seems to only take a few seconds and it starts to make small cracks all over the surface.   The weird thing is that it doesn't seem dry while I am rolling it.  Does anyone have any idea's what I could be doing wrong?

Thanks for your time!

[Metalman]

I am assuming from your question that you had some clay that dried out and you re-hydrated it to use again as clay form. Depending on how you got the clay moist again , you could have this sort of problem. I almost never recycle dried out clay back into clay.- I use it as paste for building up forms over cork-clay or leaves or seed pods, etc. So I use it as paste.
If you want to do the clay thing - try mixing a third to a half of fresh paste [not recycled] with your recycled clay. This will add fresh binder back into the mix - hopefully giving it better elasticity and avoiding the cracking.
I know that the way I recycle doesn't have the smoothness and durability that fresh paste or clay does. [I put all dried bits, sanding dust and dried clay in a small cover plastic container and add water - this dilutes the binders - then I leave it open to evaporate off but I i still find the binder and the smoothness is not up to par]
I am thinking this has to do with using Slow Dry clay