How to Make Bracelets with Artkal Beads

Have you ever tried Artkal beads, aka perler beads? Learn how to make a Artkal bead bracelet in this tutorial. Easy and fun for adults or kids.

Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, you should be able to accomplish this project easily. You’ll be doing a lot of ironing.

How to Make Bracelets with Perler Beads

Hi there! This is Amy from Maker Mama. Today I’m sharing a how-to with one of my favorite materials: hama beads (aka Artkal beads). I find this to be an awesome summer craft when the girls get bored and I need to burn a few hours.

These hama bead bracelets make a fun accessory for big and little girls alike, and you can make them in any color combination to suit your mood (or your outfit). Check out how I did this easy bracelet DIY project.

perler beads laid out on a pegboard about 8.5" long

Artkal Bead Bracelets

Gather These Supplies

  • Bead pegboard – I used a 10.5 x 14″, but you can also put two boards together
  • Hama beads or Artkal beads in your favorite colors
  • Parchment paper
  • Iron
  • Glass the size of the bracelet you want
  • Measuring tape or ruler
Measuring a perler bead bracelet on a pegboard

I chose a diamond design that was three beads wide and about 8.5″ long–this was the circumference of a bangle from my jewelry box.

Make sure the start and finish of your bracelet end at different angles so they’ll match up when you form the bracelet.

Ironing hama beads to fuse them together

Use your iron to fuse the strip of beads together.

Wrap perler beads around a glass

Take the strip while it’s still warm and wrap it around your glass, making sure to join the ends together. This part can be a bit tricky, but with some finagling, you can fuse the beads together while holding it in place.

I found it easier to wrap around with the already fused side touching the glass. Once you’ve fused the two ends together, work your way around the rest of the bracelet to give it extra hold.

how to make bracelets with beads

Leave the bracelet to cool on the glass–this will help it keep its shape.

How to make cute hama bead bracelets - they are so colorful and easy!

Now go to town and make some more!

Perler bead bracelet on a wrist

And don’t forget to show them off.