A Perler pegboard An iron Parchment paper (or Baking paper) Perler Beads
If you have a larger design in mind, you could use large, interlocking Perler pegboards. 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. Many of these patterns can be found for free online. [1] X Research source There are many online sites that offer free Perler patterns, but you can purchase official patterns from the Perler online store as well. Patterns can be downloaded to your personal computer, printed, slid under a clear mat, and used to guide your Perler art. [2] X Research source
Some designs call for a specific number of beads to be used. [3] X Research source 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.
When using a pattern beneath your pegboard, it’s important to make sure the pattern is properly aligned with the pegs. 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. To prevent this, you may want to lay a non-slip craft mat beneath your beading project. You can put your Perler beads onto the pegs in any way that works best for you, but you may want to consider working from the bottom up or top down. 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. [4] X Research source
The amount of time this takes can vary depending on factors like the kind of iron you are using. You may want to remove your iron at intervals and check your design every five seconds. Applying too much heat could turn your design into a Perler pancake! If you have an iron with a steam function, you should be sure this is turned off when heating your beads. Steam could affect the outcome of your design. It will also definitely ruin the piece of parchment paper/baking paper making it un-reuseable. Wax paper can be used when heating your Perler beads, but this can leave a waxy residue on the finished product. Parchment paper, on the other hand, will not. [6] X Research source You can also place Perler beads in the oven at a very low temperature to melt them. [7] X Expert Source Amy GuerreroArts & Crafts Specialist Expert Interview. 9 October 2020.
Place the parchment paper over your beads, and heat the beads in the same fashion you did before. Use medium heat, a dry iron, and circular motions for about 10 seconds. [8] X Research source
Your Perler bead design is now ready to show off! Remove it from the pegboard and show your friends the design you have created.
You could also purchase Perler beads that already have glitter mixed in with the bead. These can be used as normal, and create a great effect.
To melt your beads, you should preheat your oven to 400°. When it’s finished preheating, bake the Perler beads for 10 minutes. After that, remove your beads, allow time for the beads, pan, and cookie cutters to cool. Once cool, you can pop your Perler beads free of your cookie cutters. The beads will be melted in the shape of your cookie cutter. There should be space for you to thread a small string through the gaps in your fused Perler beads. 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. [11] X Research source
Place parchment paper atop your beads and lightly apply heat. For this design to work best, you’ll need your beads to be as lightly fused together as possible. 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 hold the design together by friction. 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. A dab of hot glue on the pieces oriented toward the inside of the cube should do the trick. [12] X Research source
After 15 minutes, remove the bowl from the oven. Your beads should now be melted into the shape of 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. [13] X Research source
