About this tool

Turn a picture into a fused-bead pattern

Turn any picture into fused bead art with the GlueStick Imagination Station's fused-bead pattern generator.

How it works

  1. Take or upload a picture, or use your favorite GlueStick creative buddy as inspiration. We'll turn it into a fused-bead pattern.
  2. Use our palette selector to choose the right colors, or recolor each bead individually in the editor. We'll show you exactly how many beads of each color your design needs.
  3. Once you've created a design you love, ask a grown-up to iron it. Then, share your fused-bead masterpiece with friends and family.

Our tool is designed to approximate common Perler® brand color palettes, helping you find new uses for beads you may have leftover from one of their amazing kits.

GlueStick's digital palettes are designed to approximate common Perler® bead colors. Colors on your screen may not exactly match physical beads. Perler® is a trademark of Advantus Corp. GlueStick is not affiliated with or endorsed by Advantus Corp.

Ages 6+ Needs Adult - HOT
  1. 1

    Design

    Greta says:
    "I can't wait to make a project with you!"

    or bead your favorite unlockable buddy

    Fit it on the pegboard

    The yellow box is your pegboard. Drag it to move. Drag the yellow circle to zoom in or out.

    How should it sit?

    Scale to Fit keeps the whole picture. Crop to Fit uses every peg and may cut the edges of your picture.

    Reticulating splines…

  2. 2

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Parchment Paper
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Irons
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Ironing Boards
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Tweezers
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Books
    You have: unknown

    Your bead colors show up here after you design your picture.

  3. 3

    Get Creative

    Greta says:
    "Take it one step at a time. You've got this!"

    Step 1: Place your beads

    Follow the pattern you created and carefully put one bead on each peg that matches the picture. Some people like to do one color at a time. Other people prefer to do one row at a time. Pick what works best for you! Empty pegs should stay empty.

    Step 2: Set up the iron

    HOT! Grown-up required

    A grown-up must help you with the iron. Fuse beads, pegboards, irons, and heat settings may vary by manufacturer.Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific supplies. Put the pegboard on a flat, heat-safe table or ironing board. Set a household iron to the medium setting. Turn steam off. Cover the beads with ironing paper that came with your fused bead kit. Parchment paper is a good substitute. Do not use wax paper or you will ruin your project.

    Step 3: Fuse the beads

    HOT! Grown-up required

    A grown-up must help you with the iron. Move the iron in slow, gentle circles over the beads for 15 to 30 seconds. Lift the paper to peek. When it is right, the beads stick together but still have little holes in the middle. Let it cool. Some colors melt faster than others. Big pictures may need a little more time.

    Step 4: Flip and fuse the back

    HOT! Grown-up required

    A grown-up must help you with the iron. Let your project cool. Then, take the paper and the beaded picture off the pegboard. Flip it over. Cover it with ironing paper and iron the other side the same way. Let it cool all the way. Placing a heavy book on top while it cools can help keep your project flat. You can use the pegboard and ironing paper again. Never put a pegboard in the oven.

  4. 4

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Fuse Beads
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Sort fuse beads into colors, if needed
    • A cartoon of Parchment Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Irons
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Let the iron cool before putting it away.
    • A cartoon of Ironing Boards
      Where they belong:

    If you used these optional supplies, make sure they're cleaned up, too!

    • A cartoon of Tweezers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Books
      Where they belong:

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.
    Create a free account to manage your cupboard
  5. 5

    Share your Masterpiece

    When you're done, we'll help you show off your work to friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fuse bead pattern generator?

A fuse bead pattern generator turns a picture into a grid that shows where to place different colored fuse beads on a pegboard. GlueStick can turn your picture into a custom fuse bead pattern that you can edit, print, and build at home.

Can I turn my picture into a fuse bead pattern?

Yes! Take a picture or choose a picture from your device, and GlueStick will turn it into a fuse bead pattern. You can move and crop your picture before generating your design so the most important parts fit on your pegboard.

Can I change the colors in my fuse bead pattern?

Yes. After your pattern is generated, you can repaint individual beads with the color of your choice. You can also choose from different color palettes to change the overall look of your design.

How long will it take to bead my generated fuse bead pattern?

The time it takes to bead your pattern will depend on the size of the pattern and the complexity of the design. GlueStick attempts to estimate the time it will take to bead your pattern based on the size of the pattern and the complexity of the design. However, the actual time it will take to bead your pattern will depend on the skill of the beader.

How many fuse beads will I need?

GlueStick automatically counts every bead in your pattern and shows you exactly how many beads you need in each color. Your bead list updates automatically whenever you change your design.

What size fuse bead patterns can I make?

You can choose from several pattern sizes, ranging from 15x15 to 87 × 87 peg pattern. Larger patterns give you more space for details, while smaller patterns are quick and easy to build.

Do I need Perler brand beads to use this generator?

No, but they will make it easier. GlueStick patterns will work for any standard fuse beads. However, our color palettes are designed to approximate common Perler® bead colors. You can map our color names to the colors you'd like to use. Note: colors displayed on your screen may not exactly match physical beads. Perler® is a trademark of Advantus Corp. GlueStick is not affiliated with or endorsed by Advantus Corp.

Is the fuse bead pattern generator free?

Yes. During our beta period, the fuse bead pattern is completely free. Soon, you'll be able to create your first three fuse bead patterns for free. After that, a grown-up can unlock three additional free patterns, or your family can get unlimited access with a GlueStick subscription.

Do I need an account to make a fuse bead pattern?

No account is needed to get started or use the generator during our beta period. When the beta period ends, you'll be able to create your first three patterns without signing up. When you want to make more patterns, a grown-up can help unlock additional creations or set up a GlueStick account.

Is GlueStick safe for kids to use?

GlueStick is designed for families and children, with kid-friendly tools and instructions. Children can design their fuse bead patterns themselves, but a grown-up should handle ironing and other heat-related steps when the beads are fused.

Can I print my fuse bead pattern?

Yes. Once your design is finished, you can print your pattern along with the information you need to build it, including the bead colors and quantities.

Perler® is a trademark of Advantus Corp. GlueStick is not affiliated with or endorsed by Advantus Corp.