Amazed by the PERLER® Bead display at our local craft store, we knew we had to give at least one kit a try! Thousands of different color fuse beads, pegboards, and projects, this craft shouts out to anyone who passes by!
Sorting through the myriad of color combinations and kits, big and small, we chose the RAINBOW HEART Kit (#52813) for our test. The kit contains everything needed to make 1 rainbow heart piece, instructions (in several languages), pegboard, fuse paper (necessary to protect the fuse beads from the hot iron), and 225 plastic PERLER® fuse beads. All we needed to supply was a hot household clothes iron and a little time!
Following the instructions, we quickly created the pathwork-style heart found on the kit's cover page. It was not without a little frustration, though. Moments into the project, we realized how helpful a pair of tweezers would be (also available from PERLER®) to help place the beads correctly! We also used a shortened bamboo skewer to help push the beads upright onto the pegs. Once in place, the project moves along quickly...
Our best advice for these little bead goodies: read the directions before you begin--they are full of helpful tips; make sure your iron is dry (no steam needed for plastic!) and hot; do not apply too much pressure when fusing the beads together (step 2)--let the heat and the weight of the iron do the work; and let the project cool before you turn it over to proceed to step 4--the fused beads will be HOT! Children will need an adult's help with the hot iron; PERLER® Beads are recommended for ages 5 and up!
After making our heart, our kit had plenty of beads to begin yet another one! The pegboard is re-usable and the fuse paper can be reused, at least a few more times. We added a ribbon to hang our heart, maybe as a sun-catcher or gift tag...and with the left-over beads...I am afraid we are hooked! We have ideas for Christmas ornaments, refrigerator magnets, and so back to the craft store we will go...for more beads, and shaped pegboards (there is even a board for letters!)...
PERLER® Beads are made in the USA by Dimensions®. Accessories, including bead refills and pegboards, are avaible at retailers nationwide. For more information, patterns, and fuse bead ideas, visit www.perlerbeads.com.
