Fuse Bead Tutorial Supplies
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Materials:

Plastic Fuse Beads
Hexagon Shaped Pegboard
A Couple Containers for Sorting
Iron
Parchment Paper
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Scratch Paper
Pencil
Coordinating Craft Felt
Scissors

Fuse Bead Placement
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Pour some beads into the smaller container to more easily sort for colors.

Decide on a color scheme, choosing 5 colors.

Starting at the center, place rows of color in the following order:
Row 1: Color A
Row 2: Color B
Row 3: Color C
Row 4: Color A
Row 5: Color D
Row 6: Color E
Row 7: Color B
Row 8: Color A

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Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Here's a tip that I found works well for me when I am sorting colors.

When you exhaust the supply of the colors you are using, pour the remaining beads from the smaller container into the bigger container.

This allows you to pour more from the source container without diluting down your color selection further, and makes it so you can work with less to dig around in.

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Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Carefully move the pegboard onto parchment paper. Usually a package of fuse beads will come with a square, but you can also use parchment paper from a roll. I have some around for polymer clay and crafting, so this is just another excuse for me to keep it on hand.

Iron Fuse Beads Under Parchment
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Heat iron to medium temperature, and apply medium pressure while moving iron constantly. Heat for 15 to 20 seconds until all beads are evenly melted.

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Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Carefully peel up one side of parchment paper, allowing coaster to stick to ironed side. Remove pegboard.

Place opposite side up and iron next side.

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Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Here's what a properly ironed coaster will look like: slightly melted and flattened on both sides, but not distorted. You should see the definition of the individual beads on the sides and have still-round circles.

Cut Pattern for Felt
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Lay a coaster on a scrap piece of paper and trace around it with a pencil. Cut straight, just inside the lines.

Place pattern on top of a piece of felt and cut around the edges. Cut one for each coaster.

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Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Apply hot glue between rows of beads, trying to keep glue out of the holes.

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Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Quickly place felt hexagon on top of glue, center, and press down lightly but evenly. Let cool facing up.

Megtini
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

When I decided to make coasters, Mark decided to make drinks :)

Recipe:
1 part pomegranate schnapps
2 parts Kettle One vodka
3 parts cranberry juice

Shake with ice and pour into a martini glass.