The beadwork field notes.

What are Hama beads? A guide to the fuse beads that dominate Europe: what they are, Hama bead sizes (Mini, Midi, Maxi), how they compare to Perler, and how to use them.

A perler bead color chart explained: how Perler names, Hama numbers, and Artkal codes its colors, how many colors each brand has, and how to read the codes.

Easy perler bead ideas for beginners: simple coasters, keychains, flowers, hearts, and pixel motifs, plus how to turn your own photos into original patterns.

How to iron perler beads without ruining them: the right iron temperature, how long to iron, which ironing paper to use, fusing both sides, and cooling flat.

How many perler beads do I need? A count chart by project and board size, a beads-per-square-inch rule of thumb, and how to plan the exact amount per color.

Perler bead pegboards come in square, round, hexagon, heart and star. Which to buy, how they interlock, and why a shaped board isn't a plain grid.

Perler bead sizes explained: Mini (2.6 mm), Midi (5 mm) and Biggie (10 mm) in mm, beads per inch, how Hama and Artkal compare, and which size to use.

Perler vs Hama vs Artkal compared: bead sizes in mm, cross-brand compatibility, color range, origin, and price. Which fuse bead brand to buy, and when they mix.

Bead pattern software turns a photo into a chart matched to real seed beads. What to look for: photo import, brand color matching, stitch support, and PDF export.

Turn a photo into a perler bead pattern free: pick a strong source, size a face so it stays recognizable, cut to 8-16 colors, and export a numbered chart.

Convert pixel art to a perler pattern without the mushy resampling generic tools produce. Map one pixel to one bead and keep every sprite edge crisp.

Use a free perler bead pattern maker to turn any image into a pegboard chart. Convert photos to fuse-bead patterns with a numbered grid and color counts.

How to make a bead pattern with Beadify: convert an image to a pattern, pick a grid size and bead palette, edit cells, choose a stitch, and export PDF instructions.

How to end beading thread and add a new one so the join is invisible and never comes undone — the thread path, half-hitch knots, tension, and stitch-specific notes.

How to make a bead pattern step by step: convert finished size to bead counts using real Delica geometry, pick a stitch, chart or convert an image, and tally beads.

A bead loom for beginners, step by step: warping the loom, the header, the two-pass weft that locks each row, reading a loom chart, tension, and finishing.

Peyote stitch for beginners, step by step: even-count and odd-count thread paths, the step up, reading a peyote chart, tension, and how negative space works.

The four-bead unit, the loop thread path, and how RAW differs from peyote and brick — a step-by-step walkthrough of your first row and second row.

Opaque, transparent, matte, AB, galvanized, Ceylon, silver-lined, luster, metallic — what each finish does, how it ages, and which ones survive everyday wear.

What needle sizes actually mean, how to match a needle to your bead size and thread, and the four needle types every workbench should have.

A step-by-step walkthrough of converting a photograph into a workable bead chart — from image prep to reading your first row.

Two of the most popular bead weaving methods explained side by side — when each one shines, and how they change your pattern chart.

A practical comparison of the three major seed bead brands — size consistency, color range, availability, and what matters most for pattern work.

Grid orientation, row direction, color codes, peyote vs loom offset — everything a beginner needs to follow any chart without losing their place.

Why bigger numbers mean smaller beads, how each size is measured, and which size to reach for depending on your project type.

From choosing dimensions and palette to converting an idea into a working chart — a full guide to creating original earring designs from scratch.

A practical comparison of the three most-used bead weaving threads — strength, stretch, color range, and which projects each handles best.

How brick stitch works, how it differs from peyote, how to read a brick stitch chart, and how to plan your first project.

Coverage by stitch type, size 11° bead density, the 15% buffer rule, and how to calculate exact quantities before buying.

Stitch selection, sizing, color choices, and how to design your own bracelet pattern — everything before the first bead goes on the needle.

The grid looks the same, but bead aspect ratios, color systems, and half-stitch rules require specific adjustments. A step-by-step conversion guide.

Why bead finish changes apparent color, how to test value contrast, and a step-by-step method for building a palette that reads clearly in the finished piece.