How to Use Fuse Beads

Fuse beads are small plastic beads you arrange on a pegboard and melt together with heat. Here's how it works, step by step.

What you'll need

Fuse bead crafting supplies: mini beads, pegboard, tweezers, parchment paper and iron

2.6 mm mini beads, a pegboard, tweezers, parchment (ironing) paper, and a household iron.

1. Place your beads

Placing a mini fuse bead on a pegboard with tweezers

Set the beads flat-side down on the pegboard to build your design. Tweezers help for tight spots.

2. Cover with paper

Covering a bead heart design with parchment ironing paper

Lay a sheet of parchment or ironing paper flat over your finished design.

3. Iron

Ironing over parchment paper with a white travel dry iron to fuse the beads

Iron on medium heat with no steam, in slow circles for about 10–20 seconds, until the beads fuse together.

4. Cool & peel

Peeling the cooled fused bead design off the pegboard

Let it cool, then gently peel it off the board. For a stronger bond, flip it over and lightly iron the back too.

Finished!

Finished fully fused mini bead heart held in hand

Your design is ready to display, gift, or turn into a keychain, coaster, or magnet.

Safety: An adult should handle the iron. Keep loose beads away from small children and pets.

Questions? Email us at Gemcanvaslb@gmail.com — happy crafting from the Gem Canvas Beads team!