How to make your favorite Nintendo characters with Perler beads

If you’re reading this article, it’s safe to assume that you’re either my editor, or a geek/nerd/dork or something in between. Whatever your case, you’re probably like me in that you spend a lot of time on your computer, playing video games, waxing philosophically over the merits of Linux vs. Windows, etc. Sometimes it’s nice to push away from the desk and return to your roots, and perhaps engage in something a bit more “hands-on”.

Perler beads are a surprisingly fun (if juvenile) way to reconnect with your past by creating nifty sprites of your favorite Nintendo characters. Cheap and easy, this is a good pastime for decorating your geek/nerd/dork dwelling, or if you have kids, set them on the road to eternal geek-cred and loneliness.

Let’s get started!

Getting Started

First, you’ll need a few things. A Perler bead pegboard is essential, and without it you will fail, so don’t even try. They cost about $2.50 at any hobby shop, so grab a few. Make sure they are the kind that can connect to other pegboards, just in case you decide to tackle larger (more geeky) projects.

Clear pegboard. Notice the connectors on the sides.

You’ll need Perler beads in individual color packs. Most Perler beads come in jumbo multi-color packs. Trust me, nothing is more irritating that searching for the correct shade of brown in a 20,000 bead pack.

Perler beads. 48 colors from which to choose.

An iron with a steamless setting will be needed to fuse the beads together once you have your character made. Be sure not to fill your iron with water beforehand. Additionally, a cardboard or heatproof surface will make things easier.

An everyday iron. Note: you must use the "steamless" setting.

A few sheets of ironing paper will keep the Perler beads from melting and sticking to the iron. You can buy several sheets for less than $2 at any arts & crafts store. Or if $2 is too expensive (or you can’t find ironing paper), wax paper is also a good substitute.

Ironing paper. Essential and inexpensive.

The full setup may appear to you as shockingly childlike, and it would be wise to have some sort of alcoholic beverage nearby to reinforce that you are indeed an adult.

The complete setup. Purchasing all 48 colors is unnecessary and may lead to buyers' remorse. Pay no attention to the Xbox controller.

Making Your Figure

So, you’re ready to start crafting some sprites, but you’ll need a template first. There are a number of good websites that specialize in old school NES and SNES sprites, including (my favorite) the Shy Guy Kingdom. Wherever you choose to get your sprites, simply save the image file and zoom in for a pixel-by-pixel representation of your character. Now, it’s just a matter of selecting colors and counting.

Start with an outline. I have a tweezer nearby for detailing.

Make an outline! This is made much easier with a good template.

Add some color! You’ll soon recognize that this activity doesn’t require a ton of cognitive power, so now is a good time to finally finish Season 6 of LOST. See your sprite taking shape? Pretty cool!

Add some colors. With appropriate color-matching, you may get a little giddy at this point.

Okay, so you’ve finished adding all of your “pixels”, and your sprite is looking complete. It’s time to pre-heat your iron. Set your iron to “medium” and ensure that the setting is steamless. My iron doesn’t have a steamless setting, per-se. Instead, I just don’t fill it with water. This could destroy your iron. I really have no idea.

Complete with more colors. Can you feel the memories flooding back? Be careful not to knock your pegboard.

Cover your sprite with your ironing paper and wait for your iron to finish heating. Mine beeps when it is ready, but my iron may be more awesome than yours, so just wait 15 minutes and that should be sufficient.

Cover your creation with your ironing paper.

Slowly iron circles over your sprite while applying only slight pressure. Let the weight of the iron do most of the work as you heat the sprite for 20 seconds. Lift the iron without removing the ironing paper and have a look.

Gently iron your creation at a medium, "steamless" setting without moving the ironing paper. Adults only…ha.

Most of the Perler beads should now be melted and appear wet under the ironing paper. If it looks like the image below, you’re nearly done. Let the sprite cool while leaving the ironing paper in place.

After ironing, the beads should be melted and appear wet under the ironing paper.

Hey, that looks pretty good! Last step — after it has cooled (allow 5 minutes or so) flip your sprite over and repeat the ironing on the back side to make sure the beads are properly fused.

Ironing complete. Let your super, duper hot figure cool for 10-15 minutes.

Because sprites tend to get lonely, it’s best to make a few more. You’ll be tempted to show all of your friends your creations, but choose wisely. This sort of hobby could be ammunition for your friends for years to come.

Create some friends for your figure. Next, defeat the Elemental Fiends and restore the balance of the world.

Conclusion

It’s fun, it’s cheap, and it kills a boring Saturday afternoon as effectively as Angry Birds and booze mixed together. These bad boys can be used as coasters, refrigerator magnets, or simple decorations to express your personality.

Have a good time, and rock on, geek.


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Comments

5 responses to “How to make your favorite Nintendo characters with Perler beads”

  1. Jonathan Paul Avatar

    Finally a perler beads project I can get behind. Bravo sir!!!

    1. Brian Nelson Avatar
      Brian Nelson

      Haha, thank you. Just wait for the followup — tomorrow I start “work” on a full scene from Final Fantasy for NES. That shattering noise you just heard was the Nerd-o-Meter on the wall exploding.

  2. Christine Danka Avatar

    You. are. My. Hero.

    For. Real. <3

  3. .BillBert Avatar
    .BillBert

    Cool brah, where do you get your perler beans? I’ve used stuff4kids, but just wonder if there is any cheaper place, as I live in Canada

    1. perlerfreak Avatar
      perlerfreak

      beads* not beans

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