Book excerpt: Following the successful format of The Absolute Beginners Guide series, this 5th book in the series is the perfect choice for beginners who want to expand their jewelry-making skills. Jewelry makers will love experimenting with the 24 easy projects in The Absolute Beginners Guide: Working with Polymer Clay. Helpful tips and instructions on the basics, tools, and color are followed by progressive projects that put techniques into action. Budding polymer clay artists will learn how to make and shape beads, add texture and surface interest, develop faux techniques, work with creative caning and pattern, and more.