Reddit reviews Perler Beads Bulk Assorted Multicolor Fuse Beads for Kids Crafts, 22000 pcs

Anyone interested here are some links to how I got started. The hardest part is sifting through the beads to find the colors you need.

Perler Beads 22,000 Count Bead Jar Multi-Mix Colors

Perler Beads Clear Square Pegboards 4 Pack

[1000 Extra Black Beads because most game sprites have black borders]
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I0RPTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Compartment Bead Organizer

At Michaels I also purchased the pots for $.99 each, some potting foam and some peel and stick felt for $1.09 that I cut out and stuck to the top of the foam to make it look dirt or a dark pipe (you can see the felt on the middle on). I have seen some people paint the pots dark green like pipe but I don't personally like that look.

Oh and this video helped me figure out how to actually put them in the pots.

edit: formatting

Perler beads. Is someone doing this? If one bead is one pixel it would cost about $800 (possibly cheaper in bulk somewhere).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000ZDME7Y/ref=psdcmw_166060011_t1_B0000AW5SU

Don't let the other comments deter you. My godson and my buddies daughter both started making them at 3. Granted it was just a mix of colors in no particular pattern. They were soo proud, their parents loved what they made. Buy some adhesive magnets so her art can go on the fridge. Or buy the star shaped boards and let her make Christmas ornaments for the family. Buy her suction cup hooks and translucent beads and she can make stained glass sun catchers for windows. There are so many things you can do. Just because adults make elaborate art with a kids toy doesn't mean kids can't play with them too. I am sure this goes without saying, but make sure an adult does the ironing. They even make animal and character shaped boards. She will love it!

Edit: Look for kits like this that have the boards and beads. This package even says 6+, not 8-10 like others say.

Thanks! The beads are called fuse beads, you can get a big container of them for $14 on [Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-11-000-Count-Multi-Mix/dp/B0002YM0H0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369068614&sr=8-2&keywords=fuse+beads), I actually went one bigger and bought the [22K] (http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-Count-Multi-Mix-Colors/dp/B000ZDME7Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1369068614&sr=8-5&keywords=fuse+beads) container for $19. You'll also need a set of [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-Clear-Square-Pegboards/dp/B005HZ35FK/ref=pd_sim_t_2), I bought this 4 pack so I could make more at once since they take a little while to cool once you've ironed them, but a [two pack] (http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-Large-Square-Pegboards/dp/B000O5HGI0/ref=pd_bxgy_t_text_y) would be suffecient. As to how, I google searched for "8 bit Zelda" and found most of them the items that way and designed a few others myself... once you have them item sorted out, just build the square around it and you're all ready to iron! It was really simple, just time consuming. If you want, I can email you pictures of each one and you can just copy mine!! The only thing you have to do that isn't completely obvious from looking at the pictures is to glue a square of felt to the bottom to keep mosture from getting on your table. You can grab decent size pieces of felt from Walmart for 15 cents a piece :-)

I alternate Jo-Anns (better selection) and Michaels (better prices) depending on what I need, and Hobby Lobby when I can't avoid it. They all take eachothers' coupons and at least one of them has a coupon for at least 40% off one item at any given time.

I personally like to use the standard mix of colors (a square jar with a green lid) and supplement with extra black, dark gray, and other neutral shades when necessary. Extra black is a must because every sprite needs a lot of it, and I was out after 3 or 4. The mixed jar is of course, unsorted, but it divides pretty neatly into two beading containers like you can get at walmart for like $5 not unlike this one. You can also get it in something like a 2 gallon barrel, although I've only ever found them in this one Jo-Anns in the middle of nowhere on clearance.

If this is something you're thinking about doing but aren't already (I don't know your life, maybe your local supplier just stopped carrying them), I also recommend you get a package of plates (which also comes with more ironing paper), and a pair of thin tweezers (sometimes you can find a pair of black metal perler branded tweezers that I find work really well). And obviously, a clothes iron.

Perler Beads Bulk Assorted Multicolor Fuse Beads for Kids Crafts, 22000 pcs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZDME7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_jyqZDbTNJJ90D

Looks like these. I used to make things outta these when I was a kid.

It was not in the bucket that I bought last year, but I am told it varies.
This is the one I bought from AMAZON

My drawing!

I drew These lovelies on my desk as I create some bead sprite with them.

You need beads: https://smile.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-Count-Multi-Mix-Colors/dp/B000ZDME7Y/ref=sr_1_16

And a peg board: https://smile.amazon.com/Perler-80-22666-Square-Pegboard-Pieces/dp/B005HZ35FK/ref=pd_bxgy_201_img_2

And an iron. And of course, some pixel art.

Go wild!

If you need to bead on a budget try this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZDME7Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's twelve dollars (Highest they've been is 14) and it includes 26 plain colors, plus 5 translucent colors. it also offers free shipping, the only downside is you need to sort yourself, but it doesnt take that long to sort

I bought this pack of boards.

and I bought this bucket of beads. But you can find smaller sized buckets if you don't want to spend $15 on the beads.

My daughter is 6! She likes Legos and Lego video games. Does your daughter have any consoles? You said she is getting in to video games. I can recommend Lego Harry Potter and the Lego The Movie video game. Spring is coming. Does she like birds? She might like a set of binoculars and this bird book. My daughter has that book and loves trying to find all of the birds listed in our area. Peeler beads are something your two girls can do together. They might also like a spin art machine.

Nah, I definitely mean the 22,000 tub (catalog #17000).

This would be pretty nice of you to get me and my family. I've been meaning to get some of these to do art project with my step-kids, but the funds haven't been quite right lately!

Also, what's another name for baked beans with ham? PIGFARTS!

Perler Bead Bernie Time?
(That's a pretty rad idea - I'm making some Bernie kandi for EDC next month, too! If anyone's going to be there and want one, let me know!)