How to Make Perler Bead Designs
Perler bead (also known as Hama beads, Nabbi beads or Photo Pearls) are small colourful beads that can be arranged together on pegboards in patterns and shapes and then fused using an iron. They can be made into a huge variety of projects and are often used by children and adults to help develop their fine motor skills. They are also highly recommended by occupational therapists for grasp and finger strengthening, as well as being a great way to stimulate imagination and encourage creativity!
There are a few essential things you will need to get started with your perler bead creations. First you will need some perler beads, a pegboard and a hot plate or small heat press. You can buy special perler bead ironing paper, but normal parchment or wax paper will do just as well. You will also need an iron with a steam function turned off – applying too much steam can change the look of your final design.
You can find buckets of perler beads in most craft stores, but you are much better off buying them online. They are cheaper and you can often get a good deal on colour selections that you would be hard pushed to find in your local store. Look for online retailers that offer free shipping or are members of a rewards program, as these can really cut your costs.
Another place to look is Meijer, which is a large discount supermarket chain in the Midwest USA. They have a fairly decent selection of buckets and pegboards and often run discounts during certain times of the year.
If you have a good internet connection, you can find plenty of free patterns to get you started. These can be a great place to start as you can see the finished project before trying it out yourself. Once you have mastered the basics, you can move on to more complicated and detailed designs.
Once you have a design in mind it is time to gather your supplies. You will need at least one pegboard which you can buy in a range of sizes and fun shapes. The most common shape is a square, but you can also get rounded boards that connect to each other to create larger works. You will also need a sheet of parchment or wax paper to cover your work and protect your ironing board. You can also use an old baking tray, but I would recommend investing in a dedicated perler bead ironing mat as it will make the process much easier and more accurate.
Before you start ironing your beads, be sure to carefully read the instructions on the label for your specific brand. Different brands melt differently and applying too much heat could change the whole appearance of your finished product. It is also important to only heat your iron for the amount of time suggested on the label, as applying too much heat can melt the beads into a solid lump of perler bead pancake!