how to Host A Fuse Bead Workshop
Hey hey! I’ve had so much fun hosting fuse bead workshops through out my community for the last 3 years. I have provided workshops to afterschool programs, birthday parties, community events, playdates, anywhere that has electric to run an iron. I have ironed more than 1,000 fuse beads made by crafters from the area. Over the years I have learned some amazing tips and tricks to help you host your very own fuse bead workshops in your area. The most important thing about fuse bead workshops are providing the right patterns for the type of workshop you are hosting. Fuse beads are a unique medium that all ages love and can enjoy together. Download our patterns, get the fuse bead supplies out and start getting crafty!
What you need to host a fuse bead workshop:
Black and White Fuse Beads
Peg Boards
Plastic Tweezer
Bead Sweeper (optional)
Parchment Paper
Iron
A Venue
Fuse bead workshops can be offered anywhere that has access to electric. Using a generator works wonders for hosting workshops outside. Different types of workshops calls for different set up, but the same materials and fun provided for all of them.
School/After Care: Mix tubs of fuse beads works best for this many kids and budget wise! Some times we will spend a whole day just sorting colors, they focus on the colors they will need the most, other times they just sort the colors as they go. They each get an individual bowl or tray of mixed beads and when they run out of the certain color they just switch trays or get a new dump of beads. This really helps with the cost and the mess they can make. I always have extra cups of black beads and white beads to hand out if their pattern needs that color. Use our printed out patterns, they place the peg board on top of their pattern and add the bead colors that match. After they are done have an adult iron their creation by placing parchment paper on top and then ironing the fuse bead for 15 to 25 seconds or until the beads are melted, Let cool and repeat the iron phase on the other side. Let cool and they have a fuse bead charm to take home!
Community Events: Set your workshop tables up with trays of sorted beads, trays of mixed beads and small cups of black and white beads and cups of plastic tweezers. Display 9 or more patterns in different genres that are easy to grab. Have them pick a pattern and a peg board and sit down to get crafty. For large community events you want very simple patterns that are easy to create to move on for the next bead-er to come create their fuse bead charm. Use our simple community printed out patterns. After they are done have an adult iron their creation by placing parchment paper on top and then ironing the fuse bead for 15 to 25 seconds or until the beads are melted, Let cool and repeat the iron phase on the other side. Let cool and they have a fuse bead charm to take home!
Private Parties: Set your party tables up with trays of sorted beads and small cups of black beads and white beads and cups of plastic tweezers. Patterns are picked before the event by the host. Let them get crafty, bring pony beads and strings to make bracelets after their creations are iron. Use our printed out patterns, they place the peg board on top of their pattern and add the bead colors that match. After they are done have an adult iron their creation by placing parchment paper on top and then ironing the fuse bead for 15 to 25 seconds or until the beads are melted, Let cool and repeat the iron phase on the other side. Let cool and they have a fuse bead charm to take home!
2 hour Workshops: Set your workshop tables up with trays of sorted beads, trays of mixed beads and small cups of black beads and white beads and cups of plastic tweezers. Teach your community the love of fuse beads, these are prefect for teens and adults to come and make larger projects with fuse beads such as coasters, bookmarks or larger charms. Use our printed out patterns, they place the peg board on top of their pattern and add the bead colors that match. After they are done have an adult iron their creation by placing parchment paper on top and then ironing the fuse bead for 15 to 25 seconds or until the beads are melted, Let cool and repeat the iron phase on the other side. Let cool and they have a fuse bead charm to take home!
After hosting fuse bead workshops for 3 years and crafting with many artist of all ages I have some wonderful tips and tricks to share to make your workshop run smoothly.
Use my digital downloads to print out patterns to provide easy beading to guest.
Large crowds, use small and easy patterns to keep the flow going.
Use masking tape on the corner of the boards to hold boards in place for younger friends.
Let younger friends make a line or square of their favorite colors to turn into a charm if they are can’t follow the patterns.
Use a bead sweeper and let the kids run over the beads, they will have all beads picked up while you iron their creation.
I don’t tape creations before ironing, it would take way too much time. Small items are easy to iron with out tape, but you can always tape them too.
Adults and teens bead faster than kids, which give you more options for more projects.
Provide elastic string to make the fuse bead into a charm.
Over the years kids have requested more and more patterns, so I spent years designing easy patterns to bring into our community. The collection of downloadable patterns are designed to be simple and to not use a lot of beads. This helps keeps the cost and time down on their creations allowing for the unique fuse bead medium to be used more. Fuse beads are great for fine motor skills and self expression.
Now it’s your turn to host a fuse bead workshop using my digital patterns and tips and tricks. Just download, print and get crafty. I have an extra surprise for you, sign up for my newsletter for more fuse beads crafts and enjoy your first downloadable patterns for free. Tag me on social media! Let’s inspire each other and stay crafty.
