How to Design Your Own Drink Coasters
Perler beads are small, hollow beads that come in variety of colors. Many designs can be built using these beads including creative drink coasters. Designs are built on a pegboard and then fused together using an iron. Crafters can make virtually any coaster design using the perler bead method. Patterns can be made using cross-stitch patterns, printed images or other craft project patterns. Patterns should be flipped over and used as a mirror image since the upside of the pegboard is actually the back of the project.
Things You'll Need
- Cross stitch pattern or other image
- Clear perler bead pegboard
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Small containers
- Perler beads
- Tweezers
- Wax paper
- Iron
- Ironing Board
Instructions
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1
Turn the cross-stitch pattern over so that a mirror image is facing up. Place a clear pegboard over the cross-stitch pattern or other pattern being used. Trace the outside edge of the pegboard on the pattern. Cut out the paper.
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2
Fill small containers with perler beads. Put each bead color into a separate container.
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3
Fill in the outside edge of the pegboard with the appropriate colors for your design. Place a single bead on each peg to create the outline. Use the cross-stitch pattern as a guide to help complete the design. Use tweezers to pick up individual beads.
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4
Fill in the outlines of individual shapes in the design with perler beads. Continue to fill in the interior of the design with perler beads.
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5
Cover perler bead coaster with wax paper. Set the iron on medium to medium high and iron over the beads. Make sure beads have bonded together and apply more heat if necessary.
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Peel the finished project away from the perler bead pegboard carefully. Flip the coaster over so that the ironed side is down. Enjoy a new set of homemade coasters.
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Tips & Warnings
Print patterns on transparency paper to make it easier to create a mirror image.
References
- Photo Credit beads as background image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
