Getting Started: Essential Fuse Bead Tools & Materials
Everything you need to begin your first fuse bead project — from beads and pegboards to ironing tips.
What Are Fuse Beads?
Fuse beads (also known as Perler beads, Hama beads, or ironing beads) are small colorful plastic beads that you arrange on a pegboard and fuse together with an iron. Originating in Sweden, this craft has become popular worldwide. You can create flat decorations, 3D figures, keychains, fridge magnets, and more.
Essential Tool Kit
To get started, you'll need: fuse beads (a mixed-color bulk pack is ideal for beginners), pegboards (square and round), ironing paper or parchment paper (to prevent beads from sticking to your iron), a household iron, and tweezers (for precise bead placement). As you advance, consider bead storage boxes and pattern templates.
Choosing a Bead Brand
Popular fuse bead brands include Hama (Denmark), Perler (USA), and Artkal (China). Hama beads have consistent sizing and rich colors, great for beginners. Perler beads fuse tightly for durable results. Artkal offers over 400 colors for advanced creators. FusePixel has built-in color palettes for multiple brands, making it easy to match your supplies.
Start Your First Project
We recommend beginners start with simple 16×16 or 29×29 patterns like hearts, stars, or smiley faces. In FusePixel, use the pixel canvas to design your pattern — the app automatically counts the required beads and colors. Print the pattern or follow the row-by-row guide to build your physical piece step by step.