While a lot of brands specify that their beads are nontoxic, there is no real consensus on whether or not they are toxic.

There are a few things to consider.

They are made from plastic that may release harmful chemicals when heated.

Regardless, if they are swallowed, they could potentially block the intestines.

It can't be healthy to eat plastic, either.

So it's probably best to avoid giving them to anyone that might eat them, like young kids.

If you look on many fuse bead brand websites and product pages, you'll see that they are made of plastic.

Specifically, they are made from low density polyethylene plastic.

It's a kind of plastic that is often used in food and drink containers.

It's also used to make synthetic fibers like polyester fabric.

They are melted together using a hot iron.

The iron has a pointed tip that melts the plastic without touching the underlying paperboard substrate.

When the iron is removed, the molten plastic cools and hardens, creating a lasting bond between the beads.

Although, you could always try to sever that bond with a knife or melt them in the oven.

Why you would go to those extremes, I'm not sure, but it is in the realm of possibility.

If you heard of these beads before, you know that they go by different names.

Another name you might hear is melty beads.

Some popular brands that can often be found in stock at stores include Perler, Hama, and Nabbi.

There are many other brands available on the market, as well, that you can purchase.

The most common name for this craft supply is "fuse bead."

They are small, plastic, bead pellets that can be fused together with a heat source to make designs and shapes.

They are typically used by kids as a craft activity, but there are a number of adult projects that can be created with them, too.

The most popular way to use them is by creating designs on pegboards, which then can be ironed to fuse them together.

Here are some tips for ironing perfectly:

1. Use a good, quality iron.

A cheap iron will not disperse the heat evenly and can cause uneven fusion.

2. Cover your project with a piece of provided ironing sheets before ironing.

This protects your project from direct contact with the iron and helps to distribute the heat evenly.

3. Preheat your iron to the correct temperature for the type you are using.

If you use too high or low of a temperature, they will either not fuse properly or melt completely.

4. Apply even pressure when Ironing.

Ironing them is similar to ironing clothes; you want to apply even pressure over the entire surface.

If you press too hard in one area, the beads will fuse together unevenly.

Also, be mindful of how long you iron your project.

While helping some middle schoolers design holiday gifts with Perler beads, they got a little too enthusiastic and ended up melting them to the pegboard.

Needless to say, the pegboard was completely warped even when we got their project off of it.

The good news was that their project wasn't ruined; it sported a spiffy shine that normal completed fuse bead projects lack, but it still looked pretty good, all things considered.

Technically, you can mix and match different fuse bead brands.

Just be aware that it may impact your finalized project in an undesirable way.

While different brands may be compatible with one another, it is generally not recommended to mix brands.

This is because each brand has a slightly different size and color palette, which can lead to inconsistencies in your projects.

If you do choose to mix brands, it is best to stick to similar colors and sizes to minimize the risk of problems.

This happened one summer while I was babysitting a pair of siblings.

They were super excited that I brought over my Perler beads because I had more color options than theirs.

The different brands fused together, but you could tell that they were different.

Their generic beads were smaller and thinner than Perler's.

Plus, the color variance was incredibly noticeable.

The kids were happy with their projects, so that's all that really mattered, but if you are looking for a more professional look, it's best not to mix and match your fuse bead brands.

There are a few different types you can use when ironing.

The most obvious option would be to use the ironing paper sheets that most fuse bead kits come with.

If your set doesn't come with any ironing paper, a lot of craft stores carry it.

For example, Perler offers replacement ironing sheets and a roll of ironing paper.

Some people prefer to use parchment paper because it doesn't stick to the beads.

Others prefer to use wax paper, which helps them stick together better.

Use whatever option works best for you.

Different colors can be mixed and matched to produce all sorts of unique, colorful designs.

The number of colors you have depends on what type of design or project you want to make.

If you want to make a simple design with just a few colors, then you won't need as many as if you want to make a more complex design with multiple colors.

For example, if you want to make a basic keychain, bracelet, or necklace, then having around 4-6 different colors should be sufficient.

However, if you want to make a more detailed and intricate design, then having 8-10 different colors would be ideal.

For some of my projects I've used 15-20 different colors.

It really boils down to what you want to make.

If you want to keep it simple, go for a few colors.

If you want an extremely colorful and intricate design, get more color options.

Be aware that some colors aren't included in sets, though.

For example, Perler offers a bunch of color options in 1000 bead packs; some of these can be found in art stores while some are only found online.

These sellers also offer a variety of accessories you can purchase to make your life easier, so consider getting accessories before you checkout.

I have a wide variety of colors on hand, so that the kids I babysit and I can make whatever our hearts desire.

Granted, buying a bunch of colors will definitely increase the total price, so it's important to keep that in mind when making your purchase.

I often go to Perler's website to purchase more, and they have many happy customers.

Just know that when you purchase online, sometimes colors are out of stock, and unless your total price reaches a certain amount, you'll have to factor in the cost of shipping when you checkout.

Still, it's nice to have the convenience of having them shipped to you rather than having to visit stores--bead colors can often be out of stock in stores, too.

What works best for me won't necessarily work best for you, so you your own discretion when selecting colors.

There's no one answer to this question; it depends on how often you want to change up your design, the bead number you possess, and the scale of your project.

There seems to be an endless sea of pegboard designs, ranging from flowers, cats, mermaids, dinosaurs, cars, cupcakes, and traditional shapes.

Sellers offer a variety of sizes and shapes that can be purchased in stores or bought online and shipped.

Having multiple pegboards can be helpful if you want to produce more complex or detailed designs.

If you only have a small amount, you might only need one or two pegboards.

While a lot of the small pegboard designs can be fun, if you can only buy a couple of pegboards, I would make sure to get the inter-locking square pegboards.

These pegboards are great because they're so versatile; the individual squares provide a great canvas for endless designs, but since they inter-lock, you can make even larger designs without having to buy more pegboards.

I'd also look into buying the larger circle and hexagon pegboards because some designs only work on those pegboards.

You can have as many or as few pegboards as you like, but it never hurts to have variety.

Ultimately, it's up to you and what works best for your crafting needs!

The answer to this question depends on the complexity of the project you are undertaking.

Since they are relatively small, you need a bit of patience when working with them, especially if you're working on a specific design.

Some of the kids I work with are happy to throw any old beads down on the pegboard in a mishmash of colors, while others are very particular about color placement and design.

The more colors used and the more intricate the design, the longer it will take.

Some of my more intricate designs (you can see some of them in the gallery at the end of this article) have taken me 2 hours or longer to produce.

Other designs can take less than 10 minutes to make.

Complexity is a deciding factor.

The amount of time it takes to make a fuse bead project will also depend on your level of experience; if you are a beginner, it might take longer than if you are more experienced.

Overall, the length of time it takes to make fuse bead projects can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the design.

The great thing about these is that you can make gifts or even sell your projects.

Yes, they are safe to melt in the oven.

If you line an oven-safe bowl with fuse beads and oil (to make sure it doesn't stick to the bowl), you can form an unique, fuse bead bowl.

That being said, there are a few things to consider before melting them in the oven.

First, it's important to make sure that the oven is set to the correct temperature.

They should generally be melted at a temperature of between 265 and 285 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the oven is set to a wrong temperature, they may not melt properly or melt at all.

However, you need to be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause them to burst.

You can use an oven thermometer to make sure that the temperature does not exceed 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's also important to make sure that the fuse bead containers are placed on an oven-safe surface before putting them in the oven.

The containers should never be placed directly on the bottom of the oven, as this could cause them to heat up too much and potentially melt.

Some people worry about potential harmful fumes from the melting plastic and advice using a separate conventional oven for it's use.

It may not be necessary to do so, but it's something to take into consideration.

Once you've considered these safety factors, melting them in the oven is a fun and easy way to produce colorful creations!