If youve never used perler beads before (also called hama beads), this is your ultimate guide!
Learn how to use them, plus tips and tricks.
This is a craft that is fun for both kids AND adults!
If youve never worked with perler beads, Im so excited youre here!
Youve made the right choice.
They are an amazingkids craft.
BUT they are also a funcraft for adults.
Not allperler bead patternsare for the littlest littles!
There are plenty for teens, and even old folks such as myself.
Luckily when it comes to crafting age is really just a number!
(they are all the same thing).
Ill also go over the basic process and then some FAQs about them.
Then your journey can really begin!
Then well get into thesimple FIVE step process, and then Ill answer someFrequently Asked Questions!
And if you have a question?
Leave it as a comment on this post.
Id love to answer it!
What are perler beads?
A perler bead is a small, round plastic bead with a hole in the center.
Theyre made from a food-grade plastic called low-density polyethylene, and are heat activated.
What can you make with them?
A single perler bead measures5.07mm high x 4.77mm wide.
This can vary depending on the brand.
National Perler Day began in 2019 and is now on August 8th of every year.
Why are they fun?
There are limitless designs you might make with melty beads!
you might make basic items likeornamentsandcoasters(because they are plastic, they repel water!).
you’ve got the option to glue them together.
it’s possible for you to make 3D items.
And theres no mess.
For kids, theyre great for exploring creativity.
But children will also develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
you’re free to also use them for color recognition and basic counting.
They are recommended by occupational therapists for working on grasp and strengthening fingers.
For adults, its all about relaxing.
They remind me ofadult coloring, except with beads instead ofpencils.
I find that you have to be very mindful when you use hama beads.
The Perler Bead Process
There are five basic steps to using fuse beads.
Ill go through them in more detail below.
We have a Pinterest board of patternshere.
you’re free to also get a ton from the perler website.
Choose a Board and Beads
Choose thepegboardthat fits your pattern.
you’re free to see examples below.
But there are a ton of specialized shapes too!
And as you might see, the boards come in different colors.
After you pick your board, grab the beads youll need based on the pattern you chose.
Note:count the pattern rows and columns to verify that you have a large enough board!
Place the Beads on the Pegboard
Now youre ready to get rolling!
Place the pattern under the pegboard if its clear, and start placing the beads.
Youll place a bead directly onto each peg on the board required to make the pattern.
Keep going until all the beads needed are placed.
Melt Them Together on the Pegboard
Heat your iron to the medium setting (no steam).
Place ironing paper or parchment paper over the beads on the pegboard.
Be gentle so you dont disturb the beads underneath.
In a circular motion, begin to iron the project.
Dont press down too hard with the iron.
When ironed properly, the beads will still have an open center.
Check and ensure your edges are melted.
Let the design cool on the pegboard.
Note:BE CAREFUL about lifting up the paper while youre ironing!
Another Note:some beads melt faster than others (clear melts faster than white, for example).
So some holes might be larger than others.
Thats part of the look of the project.
Remove and Iron the Other Side
Remove the bead design from the pegboard.
Flip it over to the non-melted side and repeat the fusing process.
Let cool completely and remove the paper again (which is reusable).
Its up to you!
After you remove the paper, youre free to create any crafts you like!
Make a keychain, glue it to a magnet, hang from a string a create a mobile .
there are a lot of options.
How long do you iron a Perler bead?
How do you melt Perler beads perfectly?
Keep the iron moving slowly, and dont push down too much.
The key is not to shut the holes all the way.
Check every so often to check that youve melted all the beads.
Do Perler beads need an iron?
You will not be able to melt the fuse beads without an iron.
you’re free to use a household iron on medium heat with no steam.
I have amini craft ironjust for beads.
What are Perler beads made of?
Theyre made from a food-grade plastic called low-density polyethylene.
It is a heat-activated thermoplastic.
What is the best glue to use for perler beads?
I us Aleenes craft glue with my hama beads and it works great.
If you have any difficulty, E-6000 also works well.
What kind of paper do you use for hama beads?
This pop in of paper is a food-safe coated paper used in baking and cooking.
Or what tips Im missing!
Otherwise, happy crafting.
Youre going to love perler-ing!!
Are you ready to check out the patterns?
We have a ton!Visit them all here.
