Success!!!!
Turns out I'd done everything appropriately except the water part.
I'd start out dry and then add water when it became paste-like. Here's the thing, I was adding too much water.
This time when it got pasty I added literally 3 drops. Then whipped it around for a good minute then added another 3 drops.
Previously I must've added a good 20 drops. Makes sense.
I was a bit drier this time but I can manipulate that easily.