FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Fuse beads are small, colorful cylinders made of plastic that is “soft” enough to melt when heat is applied. They are used to create pixel art on a pegboard, which you can then iron to melt the beads and “fuse” the design.

Starting is easy! You’ll need a pegboard, fuse beads, an iron (like the one you use for clothes), and some parchment paper (NOT wax paper). A starter kit like this one is pretty affordable and comes with everything you need (minus the iron). Check out this post where I share all my favorite tools, tips, and tricks—including links to the products I use as well as info on alternatives. For example, I love using Perler beads, but Artkal or Hama beads might be easier to find in countries outside the US.

Yay! Your support means a lot. I spend quite a bit of time sharing my designs and writing guides, so it’s great to know you’re enjoying them. Three easy ways to help me keep posting are to:

1. Shop through my affiliate links, which grant me a small commission at no extra cost to you
2. Follow me on Pinterest or Instagram (or both!) so more people can find my work
3. Purchase one of my printable PDF patterns on Gumroad for $1 or a donation of your choice 💖 

I do not recommend mixing beads from different brands. I’ve done it before (with IKEA and Perler beads) and learned that they have different thicknesses and melting points, so my projects came out looking really uneven. You could easily pick out which beads were the same and which were different. Good news, though—you can follow my designs no matter which bead brand you’re using! I share what colors I use in Perler bead shades, but you can color match to your preferred brand. As long as you stick to one brand of bead, you’ll still have a lovely creation at the end.

Nope! Your regular household iron is just fine. Just make sure you never, ever use the “steam” function while ironing your fuse bead projects. This is the iron I use, but if you want a dedicated crafting iron, the Cricut Mini Heat Press has a great reputation.

Good news! Fuse beads can be fun for both kids and adults. The recommended age range on Perler bead packs states “6 years and up,” as the small beads can be a choking hazard for young children. In my experience, kids 7–12 have the most fun with Perler bead crafts. I’ve also hosted parties where adults had fun making unique Perler bead creations!

There is a trick to ironing fuse beads, and it can take a little while to master. Here are my top tips:

• To prevent distortion: Set your iron to the “cotton” setting, if applicable. This is typically hot enough for a quick melt but not so hot that your beads will distort. If you have time and patience, you can also use a lower setting for a more controlled melt.
• To prevent uneven melting: Move your iron in gentle, circular motions over the design, paying attention to how the beads look under the parchment paper. Honestly, I rarely get a perfectly even melt on my projects, but I’m happy with “close enough.”
• To prevent breaking: Stop ironing when the beads are clearly touching their neighbors. How melted you want your beads is a personal preference. For maximum “strength,” iron until the center of each bead is no longer visible. This will create a thin design with a smooth finish. I personally prefer not to go that far, so I find a good “halfway” point between strength and looks.
• To prevent warping: Put a heavy object on top of your designs immediately after melting. I have several textbooks on hand for this purpose.

You can turn Perler bead projects into fridge magnets, wall or desk decor, keychains, phone charms, and so much more! For inspiration, browse my Pinterest board of “useful” fuse bead creations.