Best products from r/beadsprites
We found 102 comments on r/beadsprites discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 138 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Akro-Mils 64 Drawer 10164, Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet, (20-Inch W x 6-Inch D x 16-Inch H), Black (1-Pack)
- CABINET DIMENSIONS- 20-Inch x 6-3/8-Inch x 15-13/16-Inch, Small Drawer Size-6 x 2-7/32 x 1-9/16 inches
- HIGH QUALITY- Rugged, high-impact polystyrene plastic frame and 64 drawers
- GREAT FOR– Storing and organizing classroom or office supplies, crafts, beads or sewing supplies, hardware, lego and small toy storage, fishing gear and more
- STACK OR WALL MOUNT- Cabinets stack securely and can also be wall mounted using keyhole slots molded into the back of the cabinet
- DIVIDABLE DRAWERS- 8 drawer dividers included and come molded into the back of the cabinet, finger-grip drawer pulls provide easy access and rear stop tabs prevent contents from spilling
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2. BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron, F67E
- Steam or Dry Ironing - Switch on the steam setting to help iron out tough wrinkles, or turn it off when dry ironing delicate fabrics
- Anti-Drip - The iron is engineered to prevent dripping by closely regulating water temperatures. 7 Temperature Settings - The intuitive temperature dial and fabric guide make it easy to get the perfect heat setting based on fabric type Plus, the dedicated “OFF” button provides convenient peace of mind
- Automatic Shutoff - For added peace of mind, the iron shuts off when left unattended for 30 seconds on its side or soleplate, and after 8 minutes on the heel rest Plus, a power indicator light tells you when the iron is plugged in
- Easy Glide - The aluminum soleplate is built to last, with a smooth, nonstick finish that glides over all fabric types to quickly remove wrinkles. A special groove near the tip of the soleplate lets you navigate easily around buttons and collars.
- 7 Temperature Settings - The intuitive temperature dial and fabric guide make it easy to get the perfect heat setting based on fabric type. Plus, the dedicated “OFF” button provides convenient peace of mind.
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3. Perler Beads Storage Container Set, 12 pcs, Tall Cylinders
Includes (12) tall cylinder Perler craft bead storage containers.Each craft bead storage container measures 7.2'' x 5'' x 5.2''.These clear storage containers are perfect for organizing and storing your Perler bead collection!Perler bead storage containers feature a twist-off top for easy pouring an...
4. Perler Beads Large Square Pegboards for Kids Crafts, 4 pcs
- Includes (4) large square Perler pegboards, (1) sheet of reusable ironing paper, and (1) set of easy to follow instructions.
- Perler pegboard set comes with 4 interlocking square pegboards, perfect for large Perler projects!
- These 29 x 29 bead Perler pegboards easily snap together to create an extra large square pegboard that holds up to 3,364 Perler beads!
- Complete your extra large Perler fuse bead crafts with ironing paper and a household iron, then keep your craft forever! Perler pegboards are reusable.
- Large square Perler pegboards measure 5.7'' x 5.7'' individually and 11.4'' x 11.4'' when connected.
- Simply place large square patterns under the clear pegboard and follow the color of the beads
- Each pegboard holds 841 beads
- Interlocking design to create larger surface
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5. Darice Organizer NO Spill 32COMP 13.7X8.6X1 Clear
- 32-PIECE STORAGE ORGANIZER – Keep all your beading essentials in one place with this Darice No Spill Organizer. It has 32 separated compartments and a snug fit lid to keep the contents inside.
- EASY ORGANIZATION – Keep your crafting area neat and clean and all your supplies in one place, thanks to this bead storage tray. The rounded edges on the bottom of the compartments make for easy bead and finding retrieval.
- STORE BEADS AND SUPPLIES – Not just for beads, you can also store findings, cord and other crafting supplies in this storage box.
- STACKABLE – These bead storage boxes are stackable with a built-in handle, so you can have your entire bead and craft collection in one space with this easy-to-see storage solution.
- A BRAND TO TRUST – Darice began with one store and one man’s vision in 1954. Throughout the more than 60 years we’ve been business, we’ve grown tremendously, while remaining loyal to our core traditions. What remains consistent is our dedication to hard work, innovation and excellent customer service.
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6. Perler Beads Fun Colors Fuse Beads and Storage Tray For Kids Crafts, 4000 pcs
Includes (4000) assorted Perler fuse beads in 1 plastic storage tray.This pre-sorted set of 4,000 Perler fuse beads comes in a convenient storage tray to keep beads separated and organized!Use your bright colored Perler fuse beads with a pre-made Perler bead design or get creative and make your own!...
7. Akro-Mils 44 Drawer 10144, Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet, (20-Inch W x 6-Inch D x 16-Inch H), Black (1-Pack)
CABINET DIMENSIONS- 20-Inch x 6-3/8 Inch x 10-1/4 Inch, DRAWER DIMENSIONS- 6-Inch x 2-1/4 Inch x 1-5/8 Inch (small drawer), 6-Inch x 4-1/2-Inch x 2-3/16-Inch (large drawer)HIGH QUALITY- Rugged, high-impact polystyrene plastic frame and 44 drawersGREAT FOR– Storing and organizing classroom or offic...
8. GL Group The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Game Fabric Wall Scroll Poster, 16 x 87 Inch
Wall Scroll PosterEasy to Hang Contains 2 Hanging HooksMore durable than a regular poster
9. Perler Beads Assorted Fuse Beads Tray for Kids Crafts with Perler Bead Pattern Book, 4001 pcs
- 2-pack is the (1) plastic storage tray and the (1) Perler pattern book. Also comes with (4000) Perler beads
- This pre-sorted Perler bead set includes 16 fuse bead colors: pink, magenta, red, cheddar, neon orange, yellow, light green, kiwi lime, parrot green, light blue, neon blue, plum, purple glitter, light brown, black, and white.
- Use the included Perler bead pattern idea book for inspiration, or get creative and make your own Perler bead designs.
- With 16 varieties of Perler beads, this bead tray is a great way to kickstart your Perler bead collection. Use Perler pegboards and reusable ironing paper to complete your craft.
- Assorted Perler fuse beads suitable for ages 6 and up.
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10. Perler Beads Extra Large Clear Pegboard
Includes (1) extra large see through Perler pegboard, (1) sheet of reusable ironing paper, and easy to follow instructions.Large Perler pegboard measures 12'' x 10.5''.Place this transparent pegboard over your Perler bead pattern and use the underside clips to secure it in place.This extra large cle...
11. 1 Pound Bag of Water Beads - Clear
Colorfast - Won't Bleed Reduces Plant WateringNon Toxic - Safe To UseVersatile - Can Be Used For Centerpieces, Crafts and More!Can Be Used Over and Over AgainVase Not Included - Must Place in water for beads to expand
12. Perler Beads Funfusion: Large Clear Interlocking Pegboards
- Includes (2) clear pegboards, ironing paper and easy-to-follow instructions
- Pegboards measure 5.7'' L x 5.7'' H
- Pegboards are clear and feature interlocking teeth for easy use.
- Clear pegboards make it easy to follow along with different patterns.
- Use these pegboards to create huge Perler projects!
Features:
13. Command Outdoor Light Clips, Clear, 16-Clip, 4-Pack (64 Clips Total)
- INCLUDES - 4 pack- Total of 64 clear clips and 80 small strips
- ORGANIZE SAFELY-No more dangerous, tangled cords behind your computers, appliances and entertainment centers! Command Cord Organizers are perfect for work and home offices, as well as entertainment areas, to keep cords organized and safely out of the way
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED- Means no holes or marks left behind while you keep your cords organized
- STRONG AND VERSATILE- Stick to many surfaces, including paint, wood, tile and more
- REMOVES CLEANLY- They come off leaving no holes, marks or sticky residue and if you need to reorganize your cords, it's as easy as applying a Command Refill Strip, so you can use them again and again
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14. ARTKAL Mini Hard Beads C 2.6mm 24,000 Fuse Beads 48 Colors Assorted in 2 Boxes CC48 for Age 12 and up
- Material - These fuse beads are made of food-grade EVA without chemical coating, which won’t cause a strong melting plastic smell. It is non-toxic and kid friendly.
- Include - The iron beads include 24,000pcs 48colors c 2.6mm mini beads and 2 ironing paper, box set provides storage for an array of different colors, satisfying basic needs for creative work without having to pick the colors one-by-one.
- Benefit - The melty beads can help people one spend time in a creative way and develop their artistic expression and coordination. Putting together shapes and colors is fun, but the benefit goes beyond feeling good.
- Ease to Use - Just using iron with a few seconds, and you will get a amazing and unique beads artwork.
- Gift Ideas - Great ARTKAL iron beads gift for Chrismas, birthday, New year and so on, gift ideas for kids adult who love arts and crafts.
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15. Perler Beads Tweezer Plus Two-in-One Craft Tool, 5.5''
Includes (1) multipurpose bead tool.Scoop, place, and organize your Perler bead collection with this awesome multi-purpose craft tool!Use the scooper end to gather a bunch of fuse beads at a time, or for easy cleanup.Use the tweezer end to pick up single beads and place them on the Perler pegboard w...
16. Greenpro 3309 Wall Mount Hardware and Craft Storage Cabinet Drawer Organizer
Made of durable polystyrene strong frame with non-breakable translucent drawers!.Perfect for storing hardware, crafts, sewing supplies etc. within hands reach.Can be wall mounted, includes necessary hardware, or can be stacked on a table.Drawers are clear to enable to view contents. Drawers also fea...
17. Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot 800 Watt Compact Non-Stick Soleplate Travel Iron, GCSBTR-100-000,Light Blue
Dual Voltage System (240V and 120V)Shot of Steam feature presses out wrinkles and presses in creasesIndicator light that lets you know the iron is hotVariable temperature controls heat setting offers flexibility for various fabric typesSoft touch handle and dial to provide extra comfort
18. Command Outdoor Light Clips, 16 clips, 20 strips, Water-Resistant Adhesive (17017CLR-AWES)
INCLUDES - 16 Clear Command Outdoor Light Clips and 20 Small Command Outdoor StripsDAMAGE-FREE DECORATING- Say goodbye to holes, marks, or sticky residue on the exterior of your home; Command Outdoor Light Clips are easy to use and help keep your surfaces looking beautifulNO TOOLS REQUIRED- Hang out...
19. Perler Beads Bulk Assorted Multicolor Fuse Beads for Kids Crafts, 22000 pcs
- Includes (22000) assorted Perler fuse beads and reusable ironing paper in 1 plastic storage jar.
- This mega set of 22,000 Perler fuse beads comes with 30 different colors, including parrot green, raspberry, cheddar, and hot coral!
- This multi-color Perler bead activity set is the perfect way to start your Perler bead collection!
- These assorted Perler beads are a great arts and crafts activity for children. Use Perler pegboards, ironing paper, and an iron to complete your craft!
- Assorted Perler beads suitable for ages 6 and up.
Features:
Hey! I'm by no means an expert in this, but I figured I could at least try to answer.
First off- Welcome! It's super awesome that you're so interested in bead spriting. Now, onto the answers!
​
hope this helps!
Artkal has the best color selection, but you'll have to have it shipped to you. https://www.bakerskidscrafts.com/ is the only US reseller I know of (I'm gonna assume you're in North America). Otherwise, you'll have to order from their main site https://artkalfusebeads.com/ , and a package typically takes 2 weeks to arrive. Free shipping to the US and a few other countries. Artkal beads come in two types of beads. Hard and Soft. (The soft beads are exclusive to ARTKAL and are a special flexible kind of bead). You can get the beads in two sizes as well; Midi (regular sized, 5mm), and mini (2.6 mm). I personally use Artkal mini soft beads as my main beads, which is the A-series of beads. Though I do also have some C-series beads (the mini hard beads), and perler mini beads. And a small selection of Perler midi beads.
Artkal hard beads (both midi and mini) can be used with Perler brand beads. If you live in the states, you can find bags of perler beads for sell at most craft stores (though limited selection of colors in stock sometimes), and online websites that ship within the US. If you'd like to be able to restock quickly, you might go for the Perler beads, so you can just run to the store and restock when necessary (If you're in North America). You can also take advantage of craft store coupons and sales. And for more variety of colors after you become experienced, you can pair it up with Artkal hard Midi beads (S-series beads).
There are other brands of beads, such as Hama (comes in both midi and mini), and Melty brand beads. I've seen Melty brand beads in some craft stores and even walmarts, but I've never tried them. I just get the feeling they're not going to be as good quality as Perler or Artkal, but I dont know. Hama beads I've never used myself, but I've heard they can melt a bit odd, and while they *can* be used with Perler, they dont melt the same, so they do look off. (again, I dont have personal experience with this)
Overall, if you just want to try the beads, before deciding to commit to the hobby, I suggest you get one or two of the kits. If you're interested in midi beads, I suggest you pick up something like this:
Perler 16 Color tray - $8
if you're interested in the mini hard beads, you can pick up one or more of the Perler mini trays. There are many different trays, each with 8 colors (1000 ish beads each). And they're around $8 to $10 each. The Joanne's Craft store near me sells them.
Perler Mini Tray, Warm colors
​
If you want a bigger selection of colors, you can consider these trays:
ARTKAL Mini hard beads, c-series 48 colors kit
or
ARTKAL Mini soft beads, a-series 48 colors kit
or
ARTKAL Midi hard beads, S-series 48 color kit
Whichever kit you get, you'd be best off buying it with an extra bag of black beads, because black is the most used color in beadsprites.
​
When choosing mini versus midi, it's just personal preference. I prefer mini, for these reason, 1. they cost less, 2. they take up less space, 3. finished pieces look more detailed. Though for some people, mini beads are too small, and take more concentration to use.
​
Sorry for some much text. If you dont happen to live in North America, then possible another brand of beads other than Perler is cheaper and easier to obtain.
I just started beading and am focusing on Pokemon, so here's a long winded write up. Like a lot of other people here, I started with presorted packs like this one, which have about about 250 of each color in them. Amazon has three packs like that and I bought one of each to get a big variety of sorted colors. This does not give you enough of each color to sustain you for that long, but they are a good starting point and you'll quickly get the feel for what colors you need the most. You'll want 1000 bead packs of any color you're going to use more than a tiny bit of. The 250 in those sorted packs won't last long.
For Pokemon, I've found the most important colors to keep a big stock of are Black, Dark Grey, Grey, and White. Black is used to outline all of them, the Dark Grey is used for a lot of the details within the sprite, and a lot of Pokemon have White bits which the Grey shades well. There's a lot of Pokemon so I'm using a very big variety of colors beyond those. Their sprites are always shaded, too, so you really need a mix of lighter and darker colors. If you're using Light Blue on a Pokemon's body, you'll probably need Dark Blue to shade it, and so on.
I bought a lot on Amazon at first too, but now that I'm getting more into it I've placed a couple big orders to Bakers'KidsCraftsBooks&More on Ebay. It's a little cheaper for 1000 bead packs than Amazon if you're ordering several, and they carry Hama and Nabbi too. This chart is really helpful for figuring out what Hama and Nabbi colors are sufficiently unique from Perler to make them worth purchasing. The downside is that it's a little slower than Amazon, since you have to wait for a combined invoice before you can pay and get them shipped, but it's the cheapest way I've found to get 1000 bead packs of all bead brands.
The square interlocking 29x29 peg boards that other people have mentioned are big enough to fit most Pokemon and smaller sprites on, and you can always link them up for more room. They come with ironing paper and you can also use parchment paper.
I bought these tweezers too. I don't think they're necessary, but they're easier to use than regular tweezers if I have to remove beads that have already been placed. I usually just use my fingers when initially placing beads.
I like these tackle boxes for storage. They have adjustable compartment sizes, so you can make big compartments to dump your 1000 bead packs into. They close very securely and the compartments are flush with the lid, so beads don't mix if you turn it upside down. The only downside is I have seven of them and already have almost filled them up, haha.
Quick edit: All the Pokemon I've made have been based on the small sprites you see in the party, so that's what my color suggestions are geared to.
It is just a standard jar I picked out at hobby lobby that was a hard edged cylinder. Lucky for you I posted a write up in /r/metroid. (I probably should have sold them as kits!)
PARTS LIST:
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.
I think boards are a safe bet!
What does he usually do with his pieces? Does he hang them, make them into magnets or pins?
Do you know where he gets his beads? A gift card to Joann or Michaels would be an awesome idea, because he could get his own beads with that.
If he doesn't have anywhere to store them right now, maybe a drawer set like this one is a good idea!
Depending on how many different colors of beads you have, small drawer organizers are a great way to sort, store, and retrieve beads.
This organizer comes with 39 drawers and this one comes with 60. You can use a label maker to label each drawer with the name of each color, which makes it way easier to restock beads since you can easily identify the exact color with the labels.
I currently use this ArtBin organizer, which is great to take with you on the go. It comes with removable dividers so you can make the spaces as little or big as you want. The downside to this organizer is that once you add all the colors, it's a huge pain to resort the colors, if you like to sort them rainbow-style.
I find it's best to just order straight from the Perler website if you're going to buy in bulk. The 1000 count bags of colors are $2 each if you buy more than 6 so if you're getting all of the colors, that's the best deal. I haven't used any other brands so I'll let someone else speak to that.
I would recommend getting the larger bags in your outline and shading colors (black, greys, white, etc). Also, some way to organize your beads makes the WORLD of difference. I have this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P2UOCO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It can be wall mounted and has enough room for just about every solid color if you're going with just perler.
I recently purchased an Akro-Mils 64-drawer, and it has been absolutely magnificent. Each drawer comfortably stores a 1000 count bag of beads, with some room to spare. There is no back on the unit, which I thought was odd at first, but this has not been an issue in use. All in all, it has ended up being a really solid option for this hobby.
Akro-Mils 10164 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet, 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LDH3JC?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Edit: Added some details 😊
I don't know if you need the amount of storage but I personally use this one from Amazon, which looks like this once it is all setup. The individual containers slide out from the base and you can swap in and out. The individual containers don't have tops so if you knock it over they will spill but if you put it on a table where you don't move it you don't have to worry about it all that much. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions feel free to pm me.
Edit: words
I went from a crappy $6 Wal-Mart ceramic faceplate junk pile to the Black & Decker Classic. It's pretty hefty, but it irons like a champ. :)
I HIGHLY recommend the masking tape method. This automatically sets you up to iron the back first as well. This method is ideal imo if you are using a combination of Hama / Perler! Due to the different ironing temperatures. I end up with a beady presentation side and a more ironed & flat/not displayed backside.
The biggest tricks I've personally found to this method are:
I like cylinder containers like these: (https://smile.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-80-22816-Cylinder-Storage/dp/B01LY02KTC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1542738611&sr=8-4&keywords=perler+tall+cylinder+storage\
I put them in a box half the height of the cylinders so I can see the colors without having to open the containers. I also like how you can label the lids so it helps a look when you are looking for a specific color :)
Thanks! I'm hoping I can pull off a decent finish. Nervous about the ironing phase since this will be my largest project to date. As for the organizer I came across them in post on this sub from a few years back. Here's the link to it on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_dQjVCb24HTHXM
The drawers perfectly fit a 1000 pack of beads. I just cut the names of the colors off the bags and tape them to drawers and then organize them in a rainbow spectrum.
I have a couple of these. My only complaint is the lack of larger drawers, but each drawer holds about 1000 beads or so - or one pack of perlers. Other that that minor issue, it's amazing and pretty solid.
Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:
Amazon Smile Link: Here you go
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To help add charity links, please have a look at this thread.
This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.
Thank you kindly; I can’t wait, either! What I’m using for storage is this:
https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=storage+container+64&qid=1568316558&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Each container is perfect for holding 1000 beads, and you can even mount it to the wall or leave it sitting on your work space!
These are the ones I use! Command Outdoor light hooks. Shouldnt damage the wall (but for me it took off some of the paint on plaster so I would recommend being a bit careful when you move them off the wall.) https://www.amazon.com/Command-Outdoor-Light-16-Clip-4-Pack/dp/B00HCQUINY/ref=pd_cp_60_4?pd_rd_w=y12BN&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=CSMSRRW0AZ6CNN2FZ68R&pd_rd_r=40ad4c4b-d9dc-4664-bc3a-0efddd6d7cf9&pd_rd_wg=K1wRp&pd_rd_i=B00HCQUINY&psc=1&refRID=CSMSRRW0AZ6CNN2FZ68R
Edit: with the warping, I would recommend using textbooks/something heavy while you wait for it to cool :)
This is specifically what I use. I have 2 of them, and each drawer perfectly holds 1000 beads! I just recently picked up 2 more as I'm looking to get into mini-beads too. If you're not from Canada, Amazon.com has something similar here. Arko-Mils seems to be the best ones to find online.
I picked up one of these 64-Drawer cabinets and it's worked great for me. Each drawer can comfortably hold 1000 beads. I also like that each drawer can be completely removed, so you can keep the cabinet out of the way somewhere and take individual drawers to wherever you might be working.
I can't comment on the quality, as I only have the clear ones, but if you're just looking for one board, it's not too bad of a deal, as it can be difficult to find single boards. If you're going to make some designs that need 2x2, then I'd recommend this, from Amazon.
4 of those from that eBay seller would be $6.00 + $2.75 shipping + probably $0.75 each for shipping the 3 additional boards, for a minimum total of $11.00.
The ones from Amazon are $8.68 with an option for free shipping if you need a few other things to push the order over $25.
Yep, I bought mine at Michael's. I can't find the exact ones on the Michael's website, but here they are on amazon. They work great and you can keep adding on more.
Amazon
This probably won't help those that have been doing this a while, so this is more for somebody with no experience to stumble upon. Drawers and the flat organizers were out at this point (see other comment replies), so jars looked attractive. But how large?
I set out to try to figure out how much space a 1000 bag takes up. Reported measurements of what holds 1000 pcs were a bit different across the board here, so I decided to calculate it myself. Since there's no way I'm counting out 1000 of these things, and probably the bags don't even have exactly 1000 pcs, I had her buy a bag of black. The idea was to make a little paper box and measure how much space they take volumetrically.
These are some cheapie spice jars we picked up from Winco, each under a buck. 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz. They didn't say if that's fl oz or oz weight of some specific spice, so I threw water in one and weighed it. It's fl oz.
Weights:
Results:
These are all rough numbers. Containers probably vary slightly within a batch. The 4 oz was probably slightly overfilled and the 8 oz slightly underfilled, but it's close enough. Roughly 8 oz seems to be the winner for refilling before empty.
Picture with scale
Also found these Perler brand 80-22816 storage jars and pre-filled 80-22826 neutrals/80-22825 pastels/80-22824 tropicals sets. They look pretty close to 100% full at 1000 beads, so I'm guessing they're roughly 6 fl oz. If I can find some square-ish plastic 8 oz jars at a similar price (for closer packing), I'll probably go with those. Otherwise, I'll just call it a day and go with the branded ones.
I just bought a $6 tray at walmart that was something like this to start:
http://www.amazon.com/Darice-1157-11-13-7-Inch---8-6-Inch---1-37-Inch/dp/B001B0S2H6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1457298917&sr=8-6&keywords=perler+bead+tray
I think individual containers or something a little bigger is better if you get really serious into it, but that tray is great for starting out.
Well, I use a tiny travel iron, but even it has some holes for steam. I'm honestly not sure if any modern irons don't have holes. I like the little one though because less weight means I can move it around easier on large projects without having to worry about dislodging any beads. I always just keep my iron moving in small circles and that seems to do the trick!
And the containers are part of the Arko Mils storage cabinet. I have 2 of the 64 drawer. Each drawer holds about 1000 beads.
That said, if you don't want to spend the money on it, there's a really clever solution with using empty water bottles for each color. Makes it easier to pour out and you don't have to worry about them spilling (just put the cap on it!)
Simple design, doesn't stick out too much- the Akro-Mils 64 compartment organizer. This is what I personally use, and I love the heck out of it. The drawers come out easily so you don't have to worry about reaching up for whatever colors you need, you can just grab the trays and go. For bead count- each drawer holds approx. 1250-1500 beads. If you don't fill it up past there, you should also be able to subvert the spillage through shaking crisis. I should also mention the drawers can stack if needed. They don't seal, but they are held in fairly securely. By "tub of nightmares", I'm assuming you mean the 11,000 tub? I got roughly 30 colors from it, with colors varying in quantity. Black, white, yellow, blue, red, green come in numbers. Some of the other colors, like the light greens, browns, and pastels are rarer. If your wife is serious about the hobby, she will be wanting to get the 1000 pc bags.
This one is great :) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LDH3JC?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I think [49x69 is the biggest one] (https://www.amazon.com/Perler-80-30105-Beads-Classic-Superpegboard/dp/B005IP77G2/). (standard is 29x29). Make sure you use the masking tape method, because reading the reviews it looks like the big board is more sensitive to heat and warps easier.
These ones are $2...
http://www.amazon.com/Length-Anti-magnetic-Straight-Curved-Tweezers/dp/B00BG8WW2Y/
Looks just like the set I have. They're great.
Buy individual color bags for sure. I like to do large projects and the amount of time required to sort would be awful. Plus I think the mixed sets have overall less colors than you can get individually.
When I make a big bead sprite, I make a template that tells me how many beads of each color I need. I usually try to make a couple templates at the same time, so that I can buy beads in bulk from the perler website.
I keep my beads stored in a cabinet like this. Makes it very easy to find the beads I need.
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Just submitted my order for beads and missed Light Brown! Curses.
What storage do you use Kyle? I was looking at this one and it looks very similar.
Thanks for being awesome.
Thanks to /u/danthol, I bought this iron which has consistent heat from Amazon:
Black & Decker F67E The Classic Iron with Aluminum Soleplate, Steam-surge button by Black & Decker http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RJTQ8U/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_o2Gitb1ND0CS9
I also highly recommend watching /u/danthol's YouTube videos for ironing tips and techniques
What "can" are you referring to? I'm wondering if I didn't overdo it and spend more than I had to.
I started with the "lot" from the Hama website here and the first batch of 48 from Artkal here
For the really simple ones with obvious colors that I can easily match, I just opened it in Paint.Net and turned on grids. For the more complex ones with shades I used BeadMaster found here to get me pretty close and I'd manually change the colors if I felt they were off (and were in some cases)
I bought these peg boards, you get a set of 4 that hook together so you can do smaller projects or bigger ones. It comes with the parchment paper to iron with as well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005HZ35FK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1408728727&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
I also bought the giant back of 11000 beads because you do get lots of colors but sorting does suck. My daughter helps some but she gets bored quick. I would definitely buy extra black because most sprites are outlined in black. White is also a color I have used a lot and bought extra of. Hope this helps some.
For organization I originally started with one of those uhh... craft carrying case things. It’s plastic and has a bunch of dividers that make up little boxes inside. But that became a hassle when I got too many colors, so I got a couple of those parts organizers (similar to this —> https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=pd_aw_lpo_469_tr_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D2W2B78175XCFRACJFNZ). It’s WAY better, because you can take out the drawers you need to your table or whatever instead of ALL your colors. Makes grabbing the beads easier too.
As for sorting, I think you have the right idea. Take out the easiest, most distinguished colors first, then end up with the tan/pink/orange colors that are harder to tell apart. Takes a while but there’s really no better way. I suggest pouring say a few handfuls into a big wide soup bowl at a time and sort that, then rinse and repeat.
Perler makes a plastic tweezer/scoop combo tool that works great. Michaels or whatever craft store you go to should have them.
(Edit) Amazon link:
Perler Bead Tweezer Plus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004T1UGDC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Nff3xbPEFK2BK
I would start with something like this:
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https://www.amazon.com/Perler-17605-Funfusion-Bead-Multicolor/dp/B001KW4H60/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=perler&qid=1563314557&s=gateway&sr=8-9
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and https://www.amazon.com/Perler-80-22666-Fused-Pegboard-Square/dp/B005HZ35FK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=perler+boards&qid=1563314594&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
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That will give you the basic colors to start with, and boards. Just make sure you have a working Iron.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LDH3JC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used this and it's working great! Each drawer holds a little over 1000 beads, and it's not too large that it takes up too much room. Plus, you can see the colors through the drawers.
My very first bead purchase was one of these Perler trays. They're presorted and have a good range of colors that I was able to make small, simple sprites like a Link and Chrono. It's only 4k beads though, so it will go fast. After that, I picked out some larger sprites I wanted to do, figured out the color schemes and how many beads I would need, and started buying the 1k bags online.
This is going to be one of the best prices you will find for quality tweezers online. http://astore.amazon.com/dantcomthinth-20/detail/B00BG8WW2Y
I would suggest this one. You can put essential colors in the big ones (black, white, etc.) and other colors in the small ones. The small ones hold a bag of 1,000 perfectly, while the big ones hold around 4,000. I got mine for around $18 at Lowe's.
Have you got a photo of it? It'll be easier to identify if you post a photo next to some other beads, like the pastel blue. Perler's got quite a few blue shades, I've got I think 6 or so different ones.
Edit: Actually, is this the pack you got? I know there's a few different 4000 packs http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Fused-Bead-Tray-Package/dp/B001KW4H60 Light blue and pastel blue look pretty similar, though light blue is a tad darker (the one in that tray is light blue though) and the darker blue there is neon blue, which is similar to dark blue but a tad bit lighter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001B0S2H6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3/188-2816046-2572722?qid=1462401793&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Darice&dpPl=1&dpID=414LW8Ja9LL&ref=plSrch
Sorry for the terrible link. On mobile. Small and great for small projects. I have several and refill when needed. A label maker with the color number also makes it a lot easier!
Oh, hey, it's you! :P I think that's the risk when you buy the bucket, but four shades of pink could come in handy for shading - you never know. I had to buy three shades of green to make a Minecraft Creeper, for example. I bought two trays like this and this to be my base, and then bought individual bags of beads for projects I knew I wanted to make. It's not as many beads as in a bucket, but you know what you're getting and you don't have to sort them!
For what it's worth, this is the iron I use; it has steam holes, but it serves me well in all of my projects I post here.
Link to Amazon
^ You can get them at JoAnn fabrics too. Though that is a pretty good price.
Also I recommend the masking tape method so there is no warping of pegboards or weird bead mistakes while ironing ;D
Thank you! I used a pack of this and individual packs of Black, White, and Brown I bought at Michaels. They're all Perler beads.
Are these the Akro-Mils bins on Amazon? [44 drawer] (http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10144-20-Inch-16-Inch-Hardware/dp/B003P2UOCO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) and [64 drawer] (http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_y)?
Disregard, just looked through the thread and saw your post above lol
I got the Perler Superboard on Thursday. I'm learning a lot, like not ironing on the board because it warps, and how to use the masking tape method.
Oh ok. I was looking at this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003P2UOCO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_R32BwbYC1HYCQ and this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_h52Bwb8GDHEXB
The small drawers look similar to tge size of yours.
I post this one a lot, but if you don't already have an organization system ready to go, you should definitely pick up one of these bad boys.
Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LDH3JC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got most of them (Black) from Amazon, One (Blue) I have had for almost 20yrs.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LDH3JC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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
https://smile.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I bought one of these. I got the dividers so each drawer can hold two colors.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LDH3JC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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
http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-F67E-Aluminum-Soleplate/dp/B001RJTQ8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452726106&sr=8-1&keywords=balck+and+decker+iron
I use one of these. Label each compartment with the appropriate color bead, and put your more commonly-used colors in the larger compartments. There's also different versions of the same type of cabinet that have different numbers and/or sizes of drawers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003P2UOCO/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?qid=1457565729&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=storage+drawers
They seem to be the standard Perler bead boards. I picked up a 4-pack on amazon
Here you go
Here you go