(Part 3) Top products from r/beadsprites

If you would like some tweezers (or I prefer surgical clamps/hemostats) I'm willing to buy some if you would like to add them to an Amazon wish list and send me the link. Going by hand is painful. (Seriously, go for the hemostats, they're amazing.)

You might try something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-1906830-Lacquer-Spray-11-Ounce/dp/B0009XCKGA

Krylon brand also makes lacquers like this, so really any clear-drying one i think would work. But test it out on a random perler creation you signed yourself first, and see how you like it.

I have big fat clumsy hands so I use these utility tweezers. Love them. They make picking up beads easier due to the curved end.

General Tools & Instruments 415 Utility Tweezers, Curved Point https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T7TU/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_cmc-wb09KK38M

Any craft store (Michael's, JoAnn, the dreaded Hobby Lobby, and probably even Lowe's or Home Depot for some things) will do as well as Amazon if you can wait a few days for shipping.

I've not made keyrings yet but for magnets you'll probably want some kind of magnetic tape like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Magnum-Magnetics-Corp-Adhesive-Magnetic/dp/B00114LU8K/ref=pd_sbs_indust_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0F9T34N0C12XGK1T5QZ6

Or a magnetic sheet like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Magnet-Adhesive-Length-rolled/dp/B005HY990G/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1404232861&sr=1-1&keywords=magnet+sheet

The adhesives on those are usually kinda crappy so I'd suggest maybe pulling the tape off and adding your own adhesive of choice.

Also the flexible magnets tend not to be super strong so you might need to use a bit more than you would think.

For storing beads still in bags, and smaller finished projects I use something like: https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-ClearView-Storage-Drawer-Organizer/dp/B001KN12PI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1519230842&sr=8-5&keywords=plastic+storage+drawers

For actual loose beads, i still use the large plastic trays you get in the sets. I find them pretty useful and rearranged them so they're easier to work with, which took a little while, but now they're nice palettes.

While I haven't made perler coasters in the past, I have made tile ones and had success with cork for the bottoms. It helped keep them from sliding on smooth surfaces, and elevated them enough to make grabbing the coaster a little easier.

I'm not sure how well it would work/look, but maybe applying a layer of clear contact paper over the top of the ironed perler coasters would help keep them waterproof and avoid discoloration?

Here you go. They sell it at most craft stores and walmart too. It is amazing for gluing bead sprites to stuff (like mounting to canvas or foamboard, magnets, anything metal, etc). I'm surprised that the info hasn't been added to the FAQ, there are often threads asking about what to use for adhesive.

I have a mini iron like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Clover-Mini-Iron-II-Adapter/dp/B001CEAMH4/

However you have to be very careful with it, it's very easy to accidentally melt a spot too much and end up with a divot. But if you don't display the melted side that's not even a problem.

You can also try a "travel iron":

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Hot-2-Trot-Non-Stick-Soleplate-GCSBTR-100-000/dp/B0057UMYAW/

A lot of people I've seen use these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001DTHPEQ/ref=sspa_mb_hqp_detail_mobile_aax_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Lightweight-Handheld-Steam-Iron/55383225?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=5409&adid=22222222228079658059&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=192133702765&wl4=aud-481962823846:pla-302312867968&wl5=9015828&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=55383225&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjw67XpBRBqEiwA5RCocSDHbyDunCRXIPGl66zGdB1xZ0_6yY5qFMeix-p-foJF7UfyeYOZMBoCyYsQAvD_BwE

Really as long as it has a temperature control, and either no, or very little steam holes (beads get stuck) you'll do great! The one I have does have holes, but they've never caused a problem surprisingly. I had a previous one that was similar and caused me great grief.

I have done large projects with Hama Minis. Don't tape method with Hama Minis. The height is way too inconsistent for this to work.

Do be sure to double check the height of every single bead you place. Especially with the lighter colors, some beads can be shorter than the actual pegs. Be sure to buy more of these than you need. I found about 10% of mine to be too short or too tall.

Make sure your iron is set really low. I mean really really low. The boards warp too easily, though they also easily flatten under weight.

Be very careful prying your sprite off of the board after you iron it. Whatever you do, don't over-iron.

Big sprites behave VERY differently from small sprites.

The pegs on the board snap off very easily, especially at the corners. ALL of my boards were missing at least one corner when I received them; presumably this happened during shipping.

Regular tweezers are a horrendous pain. Get yourself a pair of really nice, needlenose tweezers like these. The investment is worth it, even for single board sprites.

That's all I can think of for now. I'll edit if I think of something else.

for the curious, I used http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NIFKRM/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to hot glue these magnets http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/100100003X/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry about that, I assumed it did from the picture. Usually those big tubs do come with them. This one for sure has them. There are even disney, and marvel themed kits, but they obviously cost more.

I ordered two of these and keep each drawer of beads in a zip lock bag 'cause shit happens. Each drawer can hold about 3-4k beads, so you can really stock up on each of the colors with ease. The drawers are removable, so it makes it easy to select the ones you want and take them where you want.

Update: I'm going to try this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z4DR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

and see how it goes.

Were you using these things? Those should hold more than enough weight for beads.

I just use [craft glue] (http://www.amazon.com/Aleenes-oz-Original-Tacky-Glue/dp/B00178KLEY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344284128&sr=8-4&keywords=craft+glue), apply it to the bottom of the sprite, and set it onto a square piece of corkboard slightly larger than the sprite. I set something flat and heavy on top until the glue dries, and once it does, use an exacto knife to cut away excess cork.

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Haven't been on in awhile.
http://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-8-Ounce-Casting-Craft/dp/B000XAR0DM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417157386&sr=8-1&keywords=resin

That's a link for the resin I used. Then it's just perler beads and glitter.

I don't know for sure. but I know perler sells this. https://www.amazon.com/Perler-80-11125-Nintendos-Pattern-Multicolor/dp/B07PD2LMRG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=master+shield+perler&qid=1564799972&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-1


I bought their mario one and mine was 2x2 boards.

I got mine off of Amazon, not sure how that differs between canada and the states.

Edit: I guess it's 6000, my mistake.

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Fuse-Beads-000--Black/dp/B000ZDKJUI/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1426883337&sr=1-2&keywords=black+perler+beads+6000

Found this? Keep in mind this isn't the price I got or the same vendor, but I ordered mine years ago.

I use Scotch Mounting Putty. As long as you don't use too much, it comes off of walls with no residue or damage left behind.