How to Make a Perler Bead Picture Frame
Use melty beads to make a Perler bead picture frame for Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa. It's such a cute way to display memories!
Yield: 1 Perler bead frame
Cost: $1
Equipment
Materials
- FREE Printable Perler Bead Picture Frame Pattern (2nd pattern below this tutorial)
- Perler beads
- Large square Perler beads pegboard
- Small round magnets (1/2 inch or smaller)
- Cardboard (small pieces)
- Tacky glue
Instructions
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Make your Perler bead design on the pegboard
- Print our free Perler bead picture frame template, or follow along with the pattern on your device's screen.Find the link to one of the patterns in the materials list above. The other can be found below this tutorial.
- To make your Perler bead frame you'll need to use a large square pegboard.We also find it helpful to sort the Perler beads we want to use by colour and set them in small bowls.
- Optional: Use tweezers to add Perler beads to the pegboard.Kids may be able to place the beads easily with just their hands, but adults will find the tweezers a lot easier to use!
- Begin by making the outline of the frame with one colour of bead.
- Continue following the pattern with the same colour, working your way in.
- Add the second colour of beads to the spaces in-between.Double check your design and compare the pattern to the template one last time, making sure it's exactly how you want it to look.
Step 3: Iron your Perler beads
- Carefully place the pegboard on an ironing board or a wooden cutting board.Set a piece of parchment paper on top of the Perler bead design.
- Heat your iron to medium temperature, no steam. Place the iron on the parchment paper and move it around in circular motions for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
- Check the beads to see if they're melted together. Continue to iron for another 10 to 20 seconds, if necessary.The beads are melted correctly when the parchment paper sticks to the beads and needs to be peeled away from them.
- Leave the Perler bead picture frame on the pegboard until it's cool to the touch.
Step 4: Make a magnetic picture frame (Option 1)
- To make a magnetic frame, add a dot of tacky glue to all 4 corners of the frame (on the back).
- Set the magnets into the glue and allow to dry.
- Your magnetic Perler bead picture frame is complete!Now place a photo between the frame on the fridge or any other magnetic surface. You can switch this picture out anytime you want.
Step 5: Add a cardboard backing to your frame (Option 2)
- To make a standing picture frame, start by cutting a piece of cardboard to be 2 x 3 inches.Add a small amount of tacky glue onto the cardboard. (But not too much, or your picture might warp.)
- Set your picture onto the cardboard, and then add small dots of glue to each corner of the photo.
- Place the Perler bead frame on top of the picture, centering it.
- Cut another small piece of cardboard, 1 x 2-1/2 inches. Fold it in half.
- Add glue to one half of the folded cardboard.
- Attach the glued side of the cardboard to the bottom half of the frame back.The fold in the cardboard should be at the bottom.
- Your standing Perler bead picture frame is complete!
- Set it on Mom or Dad's desk, or display it on the mantel.
Video
Notes
Looking for more Perler bead crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
Perler Bead Flower
Cat Perler Beads
Perler Bead Earrings