I'm looking to get started with fuse beads. I heard Artkal has more colors, so I figured I'd go with them. (I love colors LOL) Beyond that.. I'm a little unsure. I see the Explore Universe kit I'm interested in, is that a good place to start with? I've heard people will destash on eBay and Mercari, would that be a next step or just pick up what I like during sales and run with it?

I have an iron, just a regular clothes iron, and I plan on working on a flat place and yes I know not to iron on my boards lol. I figure I'd save up for something better later on if I stick with it.

My husband linked me to someone on youtube who did a ton of pokemon and I just watched like 50+ tutorial videos he posted, including the tape method so yes I will be doing that. Just painter's tape, right? I think it was? It's past 2 am and my memory isn't the best lol.

He had a bit of a rougher finish using parchment paper on his works, and he tried Artkal ironing papers but it left tiny little holes in his beads (like they didn't seal shut). Is there a way to get the gloss of the ironing papers and have the beads fully melt shut? I saw someone mention more glittery ironing paper from TTB, but they apparently closed (RIP), where can I find alternatives to it?

What did you mess up in the beginning so I can learn from you? LOL What are the big mistakes to watch out for?

Thank you <3 I'm big nervous but also big excited. Sorry if these questions seem a bit basic lol.

Since Perler was bought out by a new company, the beads I have bought from them don’t quite have the same level of quality. Some are slightly shorter than others, which also makes it easier for them to not stick to the tape. Also, some of them have a sort of jagged top, it’s not smooth. I’ve never used another brand, but I also know we are paying higher prices because we expect that high quality of beads. Has anyone else noticed this? >:(

So when I follow a pattern I just look at a picture of the piece I’m copying or the pattern itself off of my laptop screen and count the beads out. Does anyone do it differently? Like do any of you print them out and lay the pegboard over the pattern? The children I work with do that but I’ve never felt the need. Just curious how everyone else creates their works.