What Can You Make with Fuse Beads? Sizes and Bead Counts
・ mamepix editors
With 2.6 mm fuse beads you can make anything from earrings 10–14 beads across to a coaster of about 38 beads (≈ 10 cm) or wall art of 78 beads (≈ 20 cm). The finished size is simply beads across × 0.26 cm, so decide what you want to make first, then choose the bead count.
What you can make with 2.6 mm fuse beads
Each 2.6 mm fuse bead is about 2.6 mm wide, so beads across × 0.26 = finished size in cm. Earrings are about 10–14 beads across (≈ 2.6–3.6 cm), brooches and magnets 10–20 beads (≈ 2.6–5.2 cm), keychains 20–30 beads (≈ 5–8 cm), coasters about 38 beads (≈ 10 cm), and framed art 29–78 beads (≈ 7.5–20.3 cm).
The same design can become an accessory or a piece of home decor just by changing the bead count. Knowing the right size for each use makes it easy to set up your pattern and pick a kit.
Sizes, bead counts and kits at a glance
The bead count is the maximum for a completely filled square. Real designs leave empty space around the shape, so they use fewer beads. The Custom Kit size (S up to 1,000 beads ¥2,480, M up to 3,000 ¥3,980, L up to 7,000 ¥6,980) is chosen automatically from your pattern’s bead count.
| What to make | Beads across | Finished size | Beads (max) | Kit or product |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earring charms | 10–14 | ≈ 2.6–3.6 cm | up to 196 | Free pattern + Starter Set, Kit S |
| Ring topper | 6–8 | ≈ 1.6–2.1 cm | up to 64 | Beads you have, or single-color beads |
| Magnet | 10–20 | ≈ 2.6–5.2 cm | up to 400 | Free pattern, Kit S |
| Brooch or badge | 12–20 | ≈ 3.1–5.2 cm | up to 400 | Free pattern, Kit S |
| Keychain | 20–30 | ≈ 5.2–7.8 cm | up to 900 | Kit S, Made to Order (up to 30×30, ¥3,980) |
| Bag charm | 24–36 | ≈ 6.2–9.4 cm | up to 1,296 | Kit S–M |
| Coaster | about 38 | ≈ 10 cm | up to 1,444 | Kit M |
| Mini framed art | 29–52 | ≈ 7.5–13.5 cm | up to 2,704 | Kit S–M, Made to Order frame S (up to 50×50, ¥7,980) |
| Wall art | about 78 | ≈ 20.3 cm | up to 6,084 | Kit L, Made to Order frame M (up to 80×80, ¥12,800) |
Free patterns are just right for brooches and charms
All 81 mamepix free patterns are small: 11–21 beads across (≈ 2.9–5.5 cm) and 49–280 beads. Made as they are, they come out the perfect size for brooches, magnets and charms. The Heart, for example, is 13×12 beads (≈ 3.4×3.1 cm), and the Snowflake is 15×13 beads (≈ 3.9×3.4 cm) with only 49 beads in 2 colors, the easiest of all.
For earrings, make two identical pieces. Fuse beads weigh about 10 g per 1,000 beads, so even a completely filled 14×14 square (196 beads) is only about 2 g.
Tips for attaching findings
There are two ways to attach hardware: thread it through a hole or gap in the piece, or glue it to the back. For how to make the hole for a keychain and how to make pieces sturdier, see how to make a fuse bead keychain.
Keychain ball chains (10 for ¥330) are available in the mamepix shop. For jump rings, earring hooks, magnets, pin backs and ring blanks, use findings from a craft store.
- Ball chain: thread it straight through the hole of an edge bead, or through a gap where you left one bead out
- Jump ring: goes through a hole or gap the same way; iron that spot lightly so the hole stays open
- Earrings: connect the piece to craft-store earring findings with a jump ring
- Magnet, pin back or ring blank: iron the back flat too, then glue the finding on
- For pieces you carry around, iron both sides well and make sure the edge row is fully fused so it doesn’t crack
Sizing a photo pattern in the Pattern Maker
In the Pattern Maker, choose "Beads across" from the presets S 29 (≈ 7.5 cm), M 52 (≈ 13.5 cm) or L 78 (≈ 20.3 cm), or use the slider to set anything from 16 to 120 beads to match the table above. For choosing a good photo, see photo tips for the Pattern Maker.
- Choose a photo in the Pattern Maker and pick a Shape: Square, Portrait 3:4, Landscape 4:3 or Original
- Set "Beads across" with a preset (S 29, M 52, L 78) or with the slider to match what you are making (e.g. 38 for a coaster)
- Check the finished size and total beads under "Materials and order"
- Turn on "Remove background" if needed (empty cells aren’t counted, so the kit size and price go down too)
- If you add an outline, it adds one ring of beads around the design, so check the finished size again
- Save the printable PDF (A4, one page per pegboard) or add a Custom Kit to your cart
Size calculator and number of pegboards
Know how big you want it but not how many beads? The size calculator converts cm to beads: 10 cm is about 38 beads, 15 cm about 58.
A 2.6 mm pegboard is 29×29 pegs (≈ 7.5 cm square), so for anything larger you line up several boards. See how to make large designs for joining them.
| Beads across | Finished size | Pegboards (29×29) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | ≈ 7.5 cm | 1 | Keychain, mini frame |
| 38 | ≈ 9.9 cm | 2×2 = 4 | Coaster |
| 52 | ≈ 13.5 cm | 2×2 = 4 | Mini framed art |
| 78 | ≈ 20.3 cm | 3×3 = 9 | Wall art |
FAQ
How many beads for a 10 cm coaster?
About 38 beads across with 2.6 mm beads (≈ 9.9 cm). A full square is up to 1,444 beads, made on 2×2 joined 29×29 pegboards.
What size is best for a keychain?
About 20–30 beads across (≈ 5–8 cm). The "S 29" preset in the Pattern Maker gives about 7.5 cm.
Are fuse bead earrings heavy?
No. Beads weigh about 10 g per 1,000, so even a fully filled 14×14 square (196 beads) is only about 2 g.
Where can I get findings?
Keychain ball chains are in the mamepix shop (10 for ¥330). Jump rings, earring hooks, pin backs and similar findings are available at craft stores.