Perler Beads are plastic, colorful beads that many use to create art. They can be placed in the desired pattern on an array of tiny pegs, then later fused using a clothing iron. Some use this method to fashion keychains, necklaces, bracelets and other novelty items while Holly Green of GamerGrrlz.net has taken it to the next level.
Considering the level of awesome involved, we’ve decided to highlight some of our favorite pieces. These are but a few, and the rest can be seen in their entirety on the GamerGrrlz Flickr.
Perler Halloween
A few clever Halloween door decorations.
Xbox 360 Red Ring of Death Coasters
This joke is only funny to 45.8% of Xbox 360 users.
“This was my first big themed piece. While I plan my bigger pieces very carefully, this one was made by making Mario Luigi Peach and Toad first, ironing them, then building the rest of the piece around it in little bits. Very amateur but its a fan favorite. Needs a repair.”
“I had to use two rare, off-color beads from the Perler bucket to complete the gun (a shiny greenish-brown and a slightly more green version. 30,000 beads. Less than ten of each color. I don’t think I’ll ever see that color again!) but I think she’s all done! Totally worth it! Changed the plum to purple, and the brown shades to a darker color while I was at it. All that’s left is ironing!”
Yuna
Made using Perler and Hama fuse beads, Yuna stands a foot and a half tall by about six to seven inches wide.
“This one took me by far the longest. Just reducing the pixels and color palette to something I could work with was murder.”
Know Your Shrooms
Know Your Shrooms is made up of about 5,000 Perler and Hama fuse beads and measures fifteen by sixteen inches.
“Features custom 8-bit sprites of mushrooms from Super Mario Brothers all on up through Super Mario Galaxy. This was a commissioned piece for a fan in San Diego, and they just received it recently (8/10/09). I guess I do my best stuff when its at someone’s behest!”
Jill and Claire of Resident Evil
Jill and Claire were portrayed using 10,000 Perler and Hama fuse beads.
“Definitely one of the ones I like best. This was made by combining two Capcom card images.”
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Masks Set
“I adore this game, and these sprites still make me proud for being unique and difficult.”
“I particularly like the 8-bit style SMG mushrooms, the gromets, and the color fading effect. Also, the Boo is glow in the dark.”
Hey, those are our favorite parts too!
Super Mario Brothers Perler Bead Sprite Tiles
Tiles made from screenshots of Super Mario Brothers, one of my personal favorites of the Mario games.
An updated version of the Bead Sprite Tiles
“These sprites are from the Legend of Zelda re-release for Japanese Broadcast Satellite in 1994. The original Legend of Zelda game was revamped and updated to be a bit more challenging. It is referred to as BS Zelda no Densetsu. ”
16-Bit Super Mario Galaxy Sign
Mushrooms and their resulting changes from Super Mario Galaxy.
Dr. Mario Germ “Wash Up!” Sign
A few of the germs from Dr. Mario reminding you of the importance of a good hand wash.
Mario Through The Ages
This piece covers the length of an entire living room wall. Being that the television itself is 41 inches, it measures about five feet across.
“Covering Mario from the Super Mario Brothers, to Super Mario World, this is one of my favorite Perler bead projects I’ve ever made!”
Mega Man 9 Stage Select Screen Wall Hanging
Featuring the bosses of Mega Man 9, these were made to be mounted on the wall. You can click the picture below for another view.
“I picked Mega Man 9 because it has the first female boss and because it was the first Mega Man game I got to enjoy when it was released, as I missed 1-8 (too busy with Sonic).”
If you liked these, there are plenty more to be seen on the GamerGrrlz Flickr. If you were thinking of getting into the Perler bead business yourself, you can find a very helpful FAQ at the end of this link.
Thanks again to GamerGrrlz.net for letting allowing us to share this!
Make sure to stop by their site for constant updates on the gaming world, female or otherwise!
Thanks James! And btw, you can check out an updated version of the Super Mario Brothers tiles here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21634085@N06/3602275220/
And keep an eye on it! I started new tiles for it yesterday. Also working on Castlevania sprites for Halloween!
I added the updated picture to the line up, for all the world to see!
:D thanks! I’ll be sure to send you an email when I get the five new tiles done so you can see what came of that!
I do portraits using perler beads but don’t know how to go any bigger than six squares.. can u tell me how to go bigger?? Thank u so much..