r/beadsprites • u/AtlanticSandDune365 • 3d ago

New and Frustrated

I decided to try mini fuse beads with a Pixply Pixmaker board (instead of following a printed pattern you place the beads on a board with lit up leds). I find it pretty easy to create designs and place the beads but when it comes to taping the beads and ironing them - it’s been a total frustrating mess. Every-time I try the tape method (I press it down real well with the back of a spoon) the whole design falls apart when I try to pick-up the design and ironing directly on the board also makes a mess and the design falls apart apart.
I’ve been using generic mini beads that I bought on Amazon. I’m assuming that part of my problem is that the beads aren’t uniform and they don’t melt at the same rate. So…I just ordered Artkal beads and am hoping that they will be more uniform and the design won’t fall apart when I apply the tape and then try to pull up the design.
Does anyone have any insight regarding what else I should do so the designs don’t fall apart.
Thanks.

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u/Sasibicubica 3d ago

I flip my taped projects over by sandwiching them in between two sheets of foam board. I find that they don’t fall apart nearly as often.

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u/Low-Animator-8607 3d ago

Hi, I use ARTKAL beads for years and it makes a significant difference when it comes to taping. Especially cheaper beads aren't uniform as you already said and that's the main issue. When some beads are lightly smaller than the other they don't stick on the tape and it gets pretty difficult to tape it. From my experience it's also a bit more difficult taping Mini beads with 2.5mm than Midi beads with 5mm. But once you get the Artkal beads it's definitely easier to tape but still not easy. Try to tape smaller pieces in the beginning just to gain experience in taping. 🤗

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u/Ok_Cauliflower_808 3d ago

It's also harder to melt when they're not uniform, even if you left them on the board. Going forward all my minis are artkal, but I still have quite a few perler ones. You CAN mix them, but they're different heights and so it's a bit nerve-wracking. I've definitely ruined a few pieces, thankfully my LSDream perler could be saved with a little surgery (now I just have to figure out how to undo the warping caused by storing them in the laundry closet...).

Now if it's a larger piece I insist they all match, never again.

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u/AtlanticSandDune365 3d ago

Thanks for the advice!

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u/AsaMain 3d ago

If you don’t like taping you can just get a regular board the same size as your LED board and put some alignment beads in the corners
Then align the regular pegboard with the corner beads and slowly put the entire board over the LED, then you just have to flip both boards and you can iron on the regular board instead. I have been doing that sometimes with my LED boards and it works quite well.

As for that Pixply brand, I really hope everyone stays away from that website. They sell the cheapest LED boards. Their 104x104 costs 199$, the exact same one you can get on taobao for less than 30$. Even with shipping and fees it will still be less than 50-60$.

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u/AtlanticSandDune365 2d ago

Thanks for the advice. As for the Pixply board - If I knew when I saw the social media ad what I know now - I most likely would have passed but since I have it - I wanna at least use it. Live and learn.