Fuse beads

Fuse beads · 2.6mm

Fuse beads

We place, we arrange, we fix. A precision that soothes the mind.

Je crée, donc je suisI craft, therefore I am我手作故我在

Discover

Create gently, at your own pace

Learn more

The hobby

What are fuse beads?

Fuse beads are small beads that are placed one by one onto a pegboard, following a pattern. Our 2.6 mm beads offer a fine and detailed finish, a far cry from the large beads of childhood.

Once the design is complete, a quick iron fuses the beads together. The process is slow, repetitive, and surprisingly soothing.

No experience is necessary: choose a pattern, follow the colors, and let yourself go. A quiet break, away from screens, just for you.

What you need

2.6mm beads

221 colors, in refill or by the color.

The pegboard

The pegboard where the beads are placed.

The pattern

Your guide, color by color.

Iron and parchment paper

To heat-set the beads.

The tweezers

For precise and meticulous movements.

The converter

Turn an image into a pattern, for free.

Learn

Three steps to start

  1. 1

    Choose a pattern

    Start from a ready-to-use pattern or create your own with the converter.

  2. 2

    Prepare the fuse beads

    Count the number of colors needed for the project, prepare the beads by selecting the correct colors.

  3. 3

    Place the beads

    Follow the colors square by square on the pegboard.

  4. 4

    Iron on

    A sheet of parchment paper, a lot of ironing, and you're done.

See tutorials
At the workshop
In Bagnolet YCS Craft Studio

Come and try it at the workshop

In Bagnolet, our workshop welcomes you to create your very first piece. All materials are provided, just come as you are.

Book a seat

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are fuse beads and how do they work?

Fuse beads are small plastic tubes that you arrange on a pegboard, following a pattern. You heat them with an iron through baking paper: the edges melt and fuse together, and once it has cooled you have a solid piece, flat or 3D.

What is the difference between mini beads (2.6mm) and standard beads (5mm)?

Beads mainly come in 2.6mm (mini) and 5mm (standard). 5mm is big, easy and fast, perfect for large pieces. 2.6mm offers much more detail, ideal for faces, gradients and jewelry. For the same design, 2.6mm gives a finer result but takes more time.

Is it worth switching to mini beads for more detail?

On the same surface, 2.6 mm allows for more beads, and thus higher resolution: smoother curves, finer gradients, and better-rendered facial details. However, it is more meticulous and slower. For realistic or complex characters, the change is worth it.

Are fuse beads just a children's hobby?

Often perceived as a children's toy, they were actually first designed as a therapeutic tool for the elderly, and today appeal to many adults passionate about pixel art. At 2.6 mm, for detailed work, it is a thoroughly adult hobby.

Which fuse bead brand should you choose?

The main brands all work; the difference lies in melting temperature and origin. Some melt hotter, others lower and faster. More important than the brand: choose genuinely good-quality fuse beads.

Should you buy a complete set or single-color refills?

Large mixed tubs are cheap, but sorting takes forever and common colors run out quickly. It is better to buy refills color by color, according to what your project needs (plan for extra black and white).

How many beads and colors do you need to start?

Start with a basic palette (often around 48 colors), enough for most beginner patterns. Then add colors one by one to suit your patterns, with refills (1,000 to 2,000 beads), plus a little extra black and white.

Are fuse beads from different brands compatible with each other?

It is generally not recommended. Mixing them is technically possible, but keep a few points in mind, in order of importance:

  1. Color differences matter most — even under the same color name, shades vary from one brand to another, and the difference shows within a single piece.
  2. Different melting points — each brand melts at a different temperature, so when ironing the beads do not fuse at the same moment, which gives an uneven result.

Tip: for the most reliable color and ironing, stick to one brand and one batch within a single piece.

How to turn an image into a bead pattern?

An online converter transforms your photo into a grid: it matches each pixel to the closest bead color and automatically generates the pattern as well as a list of quantities.

A few tips:

  • sharp, high-contrast images yield the best results;
  • gradients and shadows are simplified into flat colors, often requiring manual touch-ups;
  • the accuracy of color matching is the biggest difference between tools.

We recommend the free pattern generator designed by Yaya's Creative Studio: color matching is based on the MARD 221-color chart, and the pattern directly references the bead codes:👉 https://tools.yayascreativestudio.com/