Perler Bead Jean Chain

I’ve had left over ironing beads for ages. There aren’t enough for a large project, so they’ve just been laying there. When I saw something similar on pinterest I knew it was the perfect project to use some of the beads up. The project is really easy and quick and the result is a fun accessory for a kid or anyone into kawaii and kidcore styles.

• 0.5 mm diameter ironing beads in two colors
• hexagonal ironing bead board
• small jump rings
• large jump rings
• large key ring clasp
• wax paper
• iron
• plyers (helpful but not necessary)

Assemble the beads on the board in a hexagonal flower pattern as shown in the graph. Use one color for the centre and the other for the petals.Make the same number of flowers in either color.

Fold the wax paper in half. Place the board in between the paper layers. Iron the beads, removing the iron every few seconds. When you see that the beads’ surfaces have melted together, flip the whole thing and remove the bead board. Iron the other side the same as the first side. Allow to cool and remove from paper.

Open up the large jump rings. Pierce a jump ring through the hole of the petal bead on opposite ends of the flower. If the bead hole has melted shut, reopen it with a pin. Repeat this on all the flowers. Close up the jump rings. Move the jump rings so the opening is inside the bead.

Open up the small jump rings. Use them to connect all the flowers alternating between colors. Close up the jump rings. Continue until you reached your desired length.

To the ends of the chain attach one more small jump ring and a large jump ring. I chose to double up the small jump rings for extra stability when the chain gets accidentally pulled. With the large jump rings attach the keyring clasps. Clasp on the chain to the belt loops of your jeans or skirt and voilà!