ok, working with the clay I did find a few flaws. The mix is very hard to get right the first time. and I needed a bigger hide so i needed more clay than one batch makes.

Start with two parts flour to one part salt, sifted together.
Add your two tablespoons of oil and mix it in, than slowly. SLOWLY add the water, start with half cup, than drizzle in enough till you get a slightly playdoughy feel to the clay. DO NOT OVER WATER. it will become more like cake batter and won't mold very well. If you do over water, add 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup salt. once that is mixed again, start adding water SLOWLY.

after several corrections, I had a playdough like clay. Working with it was a lot like working with sugar cookie dough, roll it out and mold it to the structure, just make sure it's not too thin on the sides. Any thin spots pulled and tore. Much agrivation later when I realized I was not going to ever be a sculptor, i gave up for now. I placed the dough in the freezer, hoping it will firm up in an hour so I can try again.