The GIANT list of Perler Bead Patterns {fuse beads, melty beads} (2024)

FAQs

Is there a difference between perler beads and fuse beads? ›

Fuse beads are smaller and have a smooth, shiny surface. Perler beads are larger and have a matte finish. Fuse beads are melted together using an iron, while perler beads can be fused together with an iron or by threading them through a piece of string. Both of them are excellent craft toy choices for kids.

The top go-to brands are Perler, Hama and Artkal.

Fuse beads are sold in a variety of sizes, but most have diameter 5 mm, and 5 mm Hama beads are compatible with 5 mm Perler beads.

The top fuse beads brand is Perler in the United States and Hama in other countries. Perler beads work really well with Hama's Midi beads as they are of the same size and material. (Do not mix Perler/Hama beads with cheap generic brands found in stores such as Walmart. They don't melt consistently.)

Mini beads are almost exactly half the size of midi beads and midi beads are half the size of Biggie beads. The larger the bead the larger your final product. So if you expect your designs to contain a lot of detail and you don't want your finished project to come out HUGE then you may consider mini beads.

Acrylic Beads

This type of bead is considered one of the most popular because it sums up the most available beads in the market.

If you're looking for a relaxing craft that can have you making all kinds of fun projects, perler beads might be just the thing! Perler beads, also known as fuse beads, are a crafting medium that a lot of people will have tried out as kids, but they are also a popular craft with adult crafters and artists.

They consist of one or more long strings of beads, frequently handmade, worn around the neck by both sexes. The love bead trend probably evolved from the hippie fascination with non-Western cultures, such as those of Africa, India, and Native America, which make common use of similar beads.

A: Do not use wax paper as the wax melts to the iron and beads. Use parchment paper. You can bake on parchment and it won't burn.

Apply 2" wide standard masking tape CAREFULLY over the beads of your design, overlapping strips by about 1/4" until the design is completely covered. Press the tape well onto the beads to make sure all are adhered. (Tip: use the tape roll itself to help press the tape into place.)

Which is better Hama or perler beads? ›

Hama beads have a lower melting point than perler beads, and you can see from this picture that they look quite a bit different when melted. The hama beads ended up being noticeably shorter and more rounded at the top (like nabbi beads) than perler beads. They also have a bit more gloss to them than perlers.

The tape can trap hot air when melting and cause bead 'blowouts'. Blowouts are when a hot air has nowhere to escape causing the hole in the center to expand too much. Poke a tiny hole in the center to allow air to escape - do this for every bead.

These tiny, colourful beads can be arranged on pegboards and fused together to create an endless array of designs, from simple patterns to intricate works of art. They can also be used without fusing them together and strung just as beads to make jewellery and accessories.

Make a colorful basket by placing the beads against the sides of an oiled Pyrex bowl. Put it in a preheated oven at 200°C for a few moments. The ironing beads will melt and weld together. Now all you have to do is unmold.

Super Beads (Water Fuse Beads, aka Aqua Beads, Perler Beads Alternative) w/ Video – DIY Crafts by EconoCrafts.

NOTE: Beads need heat for about 10-20 seconds per side to fuse evenly, and some colors may fuse more quickly than others. Lift the paper occasionally to see how the beads are fusing. Depending on the size of the project, additional heating time may be required.