Iron Beads
Iron beads are tiny, colorful plastic beads that can be arranged on special pegboards to form designs.iron beads They can then be ironed, melting the beads together, to create unique pieces of art.iron beads The process of arranging the beads and ironing them is a fun activity for children of all ages, as well as adults. It can help develop many skills, including hand-eye coordination, color recognition, counting and basic math. It can also promote imaginative play, fine motor skill development and focusing. These beads are also recommended by occupational therapists for use in the treatment of children with sensory integration disorders.
The key to a successful iron bead project is to not apply too much heat, or the beads will melt unevenly.iron beads It is best to practice on small, simple designs to get a feel for how the beads fuse together and what temperature and application of heat works best.iron beads After a few attempts, the process will become easier and more efficient. Once the design is complete, it is important to allow the beads to cool completely before handling.
To fuse the beads, a standard household iron and parchment paper or wax paper (which protects the iron) are needed.iron beads A bead kit generally includes this type of paper, so it is not necessary to purchase separately.iron beads The iron should be set to a medium setting and applied in a circular motion to the beads. It is very important to only apply the iron to the beads for a few seconds, as applying too much heat can ruin the finished product.
When the beads are fully melted, the wax or parchment paper should be removed from the plate and the plate and beads should be flipped over so the plate is now on the bottom.iron beads Then, the wax or parchment paper should be put back on the plate and the plate, beads and parchment paper should be ironed again, using the same method as before.
Once the beads have cooled, they can be removed from the pegboard and displayed.iron beads They can be used to make jewelry, coasters, magnets and other items. The possibilities are endless!
The most popular types of beads are the standard five millimeter size, referred to as Perler beads.iron beads However, a number of other brands exist on the market, such as Nabbi beads and Hama beads. The Nabbi and Hama beads are compatible, as they both contain the same material specifications. The Nabbi beads, however, tend to melt a little differently than the Perler beads. As a result, their colors tend to look thicker and more shiny when overheated, but they still fuse together evenly. When using Nabbi or Hama beads, it is therefore important to follow the instructions on your bead package, rather than those for the Perler beads, as the two different brands do not melt identically. This will prevent you from making a mistake that could ruin your creation.