I’ve got a craft fair coming up, and I wanted to display a QR code to share my website. QR codes are basically pixel art, so I wondered… can I make a functioning Perler Bead QR code? The answer is “YES!” (Fun fact: I searched Pinterest to see if anyone had tried to make a functioning fuse bead QR code before. This example made me chuckle.)
In this post, I’ll walk you step by step through the process of generating your own QR code, then copying it as a 25 x 25 Perler bead creation. Don’t worry—even QR code newbies can tackle this in under an hour!
What You’ll Need
This design creates a 25 x 25 square, so you’ll need 625 beads. The exact color counts will vary.
Beads:
- ~300 Black fuse beads (I used Perler black)
- ~325 White fuse beads (I used Perler white)
Equipment:
- Large pegboard (I used a large Perler Pegboard)
- Iron (I’ve used this one for years but any old iron will do)
- Parchment paper (the regular stuff works as well as the special Perler sheets!)
- Perler Bead Tweezers
Step 1: Generate Your QR Code
First, use a free QR code generator to turn your link into a QR code. I used Canva because I’m familiar with their platform, but there are tons of other free generators out there.
Canva’s was incredibly easy and fast. I simply made a new 116 x 116 pixel design (that’s 4 x the size of my 29-bead large pegboard), then opened the QR code generator through this link, entered my website’s URL, and selected the new design.
If you don’t have access to a printer, you can simply look at the QR code on the screen. I found it easier to print the image so I could follow the maze of black lines on paper, where I could cross out progress.
Some tips and tricks to generating a good QR code for Perler beads:
- Use a short URL or shorten a long one with Bitly or TinyURL
- Don’t add custom logos or images to the QR code
Step 2: Copy the QR Code Using Perler Beads
Now that your QR code is generated, grab your large pegboard and black and white Perler beads. Copy the QR code’s pattern carefully.
I recommend starting with the black beads so you can test the design before adding all the white. This saves you a headache if there are errors to fix. QR codes naturally have some error protection built in, but big differences in the code will still break it. If you’re having trouble scanning your design, place a white sheet of paper behind the pegboard to help your camera pick up the code.
Once the code is working, you’re ready to add the white background beads! If you’re thinking about skipping the white beads, I don’t recommend it. They are essential to hold the design together. Some of the black beads are placed in diagonal and won’t fuse together otherwise.
Step 3: Iron Your Fuse Bead QR Code
Once your bead design is ready, iron it as you would any other fuse bead project. I went with a middle melt, making sure the beads were properly fused but not melting them completely flat and smooth. Even with the beads still having distinct center holes, my QR code works perfectly. I can’t wait to display it in my booth this weekend!
But I’m curious—what URL will you attach to your QR code, and what will you use it for? I’d love to hear from you over on Pinterest or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe for updates to get my latest patterns in your inbox.
Until next time,
Emily 💖
