DIY Den: Nostalgia Crafts

1. Research a pattern or create your own pattern.

Perler beads are also called fuse beads and Hama beads. You can also look for pixel images and 8bit images.

2. Place beads on a peg board following the pattern. Use tweezers if you have trouble with the tiny beads.

Use a tray to keep your project self-contained and make it easy to move around while it's still in progress.

3. If you must leave your project in the library before it is finished, leave your tray on the shelf labeled "Works In Progress." Once completed, leave your peg board on the shelf labeled "Ready to be Ironed."

(Sorry but we don't trust all of you with burning hot instruments.) A member of the Library staff will iron and fuse your beads for you. Once ironed and cooled they will be left on the shelf labeled "Finished Projects."

4. Once fused, you can add a key ring through one of the beads (you may need to pierce a hole with a needle first). Or you can turn it into a magnet. 

We recommend hot gluing a magnet to the back of your project. You can borrow a hot glue gun from the front desk. Please use the silicone mat or your tray to protect the table from the glue gun and the hot glue. Please unplug the glue gun off as soon as you are finished, let it cool, and return it to the desk.