How to Use Perler Beads

1. Assembling Your DesignAssemble your Perler beading supplies.You'll need a flat, stable area to make your Perler bead design. Your beads will fall off if the pegboard that you use for them is not level. In all, for your Perler beading project, you'll need:A Perler pegboardAn ironParchment paper (or Baking paper)Perler BeadsYou can either choose your pegboard or a pattern. You could create a dog, a fish, a hexagon, a shoe and so on. Perler has many pegboard shapes, but you can also use a Perler pattern and a Perler clear pegboard. If you want to create a larger design, large, interlocking Perler Pegboards are an option. These can be clipped together, giving you room to create.The shape of Perler beads will give the image you are trying to make a pixelated look. This makes Perler beads perfect for imitating old school video games. These patterns are available online for free. There are many online sites that offer free Perler patterns, but you can purchase official patterns from the Perler online store as well. You can download patterns to your computer and print them. Then, slide the pattern under a clear cover to use it to guide your Perler art.Choose the colors. Perler beads are small and can be difficult to find in the containers. So you don't have to struggle digging out a color from your supply while beading, you may want to separate the colors you plan on using into several small bowls or ramekins.Some designs call for a specific number of beads to be used. [3] When following a design like this, you may want to gather a few extra beads in each color, just in case you lose one while beading.Bead according to the pattern.If you are following a shaped pegboard, like a pegboard shaped like a cat for example, you should slip the beads onto the raised pegs in the arrangement you desire. You can slide a design underneath a square-shaped, clear pegboard. Or you can create your own freeform design. Each bead represented by the pattern should center around a peg.You might make use of a realistic color scheme, or you might choose wacky colors to give your creation character. Your imagination's the limit!Due to the fact that the pegs of your Perler pegboard are so small, it's very easy for you to jostle the board and knock your beads loose. You can prevent this by placing a non-slip craft rug underneath your Perler beading project. Working from the outside in can crowd the empty pegs on the inside of the board, which may cause you to accidentally knock beads off of pegs.Fusing the Beads TogetherHeat your beads. Place your parchment paper (also known as ironing paper) over the beads. You should be careful when doing this so that you don't accidentally knock any beads out of place. Turn on a medium heat setting and slowly move the iron in a circular motion across the parchment paper. You'll have to continue this for about 10 seconds for the beads to stick together.The amount of time this takes can vary depending on factors like the kind of iron you are using. Your iron should be removed at regular intervals so that you can check the design every five seconds. Too much heat can make your design look like a Perler pancake. Steam could affect the outcome of your design. Steam can also cause damage to parchment paper/baking papers, making them unreusable. Parchment paper, on the other hand, will not.You can also place Perler beads in the oven at a very low temperature to melt them.The opposite side of the beads should be heated. *Please note that this is optional. You can keep the unfused side if you like how it looks. Allow the beads to cool before flipping your peg board. This will make the beads fall off the board and expose the un-heated side of your beads.Place the parchment paper over your beads, and heat the beads in the same fashion you did before. Medium heat and a dry iron for approximately 10 seconds.Allow the parchment paper to cool before you peel it off. Remove the parchment paper from the pegboard by grabbing one corner. After ironing your beads, they will be warm so allow them to cool down for a while before you handle Perler art. Now your Perler bead design can be displayed! Remove it from the pegboard and show your friends the design you have created.Adding to Your Perler CreationsMake your Perler designs sparkle.This can give your art a magical appearance and is a useful touch when making ponies, unicorns, or fairies. Simply take some fine glitter and sprinkle it on your beaded pegboard before applying your heat. After you're done heating, your finished product will sparkle!You could also purchase Perler beads that already have glitter mixed in with the bead. These beads can be used in the normal way and produce a stunning effect.Create Perler bead ornaments. Layer parchment paper on a cookie sheet and place metal, oven- safe cookie cutters on the paper. Then, add Perler beads to your cookie cutters. You could choose to fill your cookie cutters with a single color or you could even mix several colors together. Be sure you don't fill your cookie cutters to the top; this could result in your beads spilling over the rim of the cookie cutter.To melt your beads, you should preheat your oven to 400deg. When it's finished preheating, bake the Perler beads for 10 minutes. Once the beads are done baking, take them out of the oven and let cool. You can thread a small piece of string through the Perler beads once they have melted. Do so and tie the ends of the string together to complete your ornament.You should check your beads while baking. Some ovens may run a little hotter or colder than others, meaning you might have to add or subtract from your bead bake time.Make a Perler cube. This design is easiest when you have a square-shaped, medium-sized beading mat. On strijkparels your mat, lay out two separate rows

2. of Perler beads three across. Next, lay three H shapes on your mat. Each side should be three beads in length. One bead will be used as the connector piece at the center of the H. Each of these should be separated by at least one empty row of pegs.Place parchment paper atop your beads and lightly apply heat. Your beads should be as light as possible if you want this design to work. Flip the mat and apply light head in the same fashion to the opposite side.Allow the beads to cool, then build your cube by stacking your H shaped pieces atop each other. Snap your three bead long pieces into the empty spots in the middle of the stacked H. The size of the beads should create a close fit between the pieces. This will create friction and hold the design together. Your cube is done!If your beads aren't fitting together tightly enough to maintain the shape of your cube, you may need to use some glue. Hot glue should be applied to the pieces that are oriented towards the inside of your cube.Create a Perler bowl.Take an oven safe glass bowl and pour Perler beads into it. Arrange your beads so a thin layer is formed that climbs up the sides of the bowl. Preheat your oven to 350deg, and when it is ready, insert your bowl into the oven.After 15 minutes, remove the bowl from the oven. The beads should be melted and molded into the bowl. Allow time to cool, then remove your Perler bowl.Keep an eye on your Perler beads while baking. Baking too long could melt your Perler bowl into a puddle.