Are you looking for a super quick and fun project? This DIY perler bead bowl is so easy to make AND it’s the perfect craft for kids, teens, and adults. The supplies are super simple – beads, bowls, and oven. Bam! You’ve got this! Read on, Rockstar.
Let’s Do This: Perler Bead Bowl!
Supplies:
- Perler beads (you can ALSO use pony beads)
- Oven-safe bowl (2) – one will be the “mold” for your amazing perler bead bowl, the other will hold the beads in place. They should be similar is shape/size. NOTE: You CAN just use one bowl, but I like to play it safe and use the 2nd bowl to hold beads in place while they melt. You can try it both ways and see what you prefer.
- Cooking oil (spray or other)
- Oven
Instructions:
Turn on the oven – heat it to about 330 degrees.
Spray the inside of one bowl (the mold) with oil. This will ensure that the beads do not STICK to the bowl(s) when they melt. BELIEVE ME…..if you skip this step, you will be extremely sad. And possibly extremely mad. Pony beads do not stick AS much as perler beads, however perler beads will TOTALLY melt to the bowl and cannot be pried off. Just take my word for it. I’ve had to kiss several bowls goodbye. It hurts. Spray with oil, friends.
Press the beads in a single layer into the bowl. Work them up the edges – the oil helps them stick. Bam.
Keep building your bowl until it’s the size you want.
Spray the bottom of (optional) bowl #2 with oil. Carefully place bowl #2 on top of the beads so they’re sandwiched between both bowls. REMEMBER: This step is optional. You can bake your perler bead bowl without the 2nd bowl on top, but you run the risk of some perler beads falling out of place. But – you might like to live on the edge and take a risk with your beads. I totally understand and respect your decision, Gansta Crafta.
Now you just need to bake your amazing new perler bead bowl. Place it on a cooking sheet (I have one specifically saved for crafts – you might want to do that too). The TIME needed to melt the beads is super subjective, based on the size of your bowl and your oven. I leave my bowls in for about 15 – 25 minutes. You will be able to see the beads melting along the edges, then you know the magic is happening!
Remove the bowl from the oven, and let it cool. The bowls will feel STUCK together, but as long as you oiled BOTH bowls sufficiently, you’ll be just fine and the bowls will separate. I run mine under cold water or place them in a freezer to rush the cooling process. Begin the pull them apart…..and VOILE!! You have an amazing, beautiful, colorful bowl!
These are so cute for bows, lip balms, cotton balls – whatever!
I hope this perler bead bowl tutorial was helpful! Please leave any comments, feedback, or suggestions below. Also, PIN this amazing craft to your boards so your friends can make these bowls too!
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Thanks for stopping by my Inspired Mess!
I wonder if you could use parchment paper instead of cooking oil?
Hey Judy – Parchment paper would totally work for the beads not sticking, but due to the stiffness of parchment, I don’t think you could get the perler beads to lay “flat” in the bowl for melting. However, it’s totally worth a shot. If you try it, let us know how it works! I love OPTIONS for the same end result (a totally fun bowl). Thanks!