The intention of this blog is to share my personal bead sprites, as well as providing handy tips and tricks in making your own Bead Sprites.
So, I hear you ask, What are bead sprites? Ok we shall start at the beginning... as its usually a good place to start!!
Once upon a time a company came up with a new invention, now I'm not sure which company came up with the idea first but there are a few big name companies that manufacture them now... Hama Beads and Perler Beads. Now Hama beads are sold predominantly in Europe, more specifically Denmark. They have around 50 colours and come in 3 sizes, Mini beads (for ages 10+), Midi Beads (these are the most popular beads and are recommended for ages 4+) and Maxi beads (which are for 2-3 year olds). Perler Beads only come in one size (Midi Bead equivalent of Hama Beads) and come in around 50 or so colours. There is also a smaller company called Photopearls (or sometimes called Nabbi Beads) and they come in abour 30-40 colours.
Since these big companies sell their products for up to $12 per 1000, smaller companies have started to sell them as well... Ikea brought out a range of Pssyla Beads which come in a 10 000 plastic jar and have 10 colours. And a few chinese manufactures sell Fuse beads.. however these are of much lower quality to the Hama or Perler beads and if you mix bead brands to get a rainbow of colours you might find they melt at different rates and therefore give you a lopsided bead sprite.
The Beads you could iron and they would fuse together to create a cool design. Usually they would be found in daycare centres, after school programs and homes with children over the age of 6. I, however, use them to create all sorts of geeky things.
As I will show you, Bead Sprites are not only easy to make, but can bring back all those cool 8-bit memories from your childhood!!
I started making bead sprites as I couldn't find anyone who sells them.... Plenty of people sell the beads, but no one sold completed products. So I thought, Hey I can do this! And here I am. Since I started making bead sprites I've come across a few forums and a handful of Etsy sellers who sell their products but with high postage costs to Australia I figured it would easier to just make my own you know?
I have attached a couple of the sprites I have done. They range from Space Invaders to Mario enemies to Lemmings!
Now this one is my favourite!! Blackmage in 8 bit! It took me about an hour to make, and while I didn't get the colour just right.. I still think it looks cool :o) I used the Blue, Black, Yellow and Orange from the Pyssla beads (Ikea Brand) to make this. 
Here are my Big and Little Blocker Lemmings... Again I was using the Pssyla Beads from Ikea. In Blue, White, Green and Black.
Arghhhh a ghost!!! Run PacMan, Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka... LOL I loved PAC MAN as a kid and I still love it today... I used Red, Yellow, White and Black from the Pssyla Ikea Range. 
And a koopa shell :D I actually think this one turned out really well... I have since made a green shell as well to complete the set!!!
Ha Ha Time for Revenge!!! Go Get Em PacMan!!