Hard Candy Hardens Too Quickly
Generally you have to work with it when it is still exceptionally hot.  Hence the use of taffy-pullers and such devices.  Silicon/heat-resistant gloves possibly, if you wish to work by hand, traditionally always "oiled hands".

I've seen examples where the mixture is arrested, allowed to cool for a couple of minutes and quickly reheated slightly to return some pliability.  Speed is certainly of the essence though.

Few videos about, look for sugar pulling, even if it is not the sort of manipulation you had in mind, it will show you how to deal with hard crack sugar.

Overall, asbestos hands seem to be required!

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-pull-sugar-for-making-sugar-art-151725/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6WRd7JZFdQ (warning, a few expletives, it is very hot stuff!)