HAMA

Buy Hama beads for creative fun

Hama has been creating quality beads for creative activities since the 1960s, establishing itself as a trusted name in craft supplies. The brand developed the iconic iron-on bead system that transforms colorful plastic beads into permanent designs through heat fusion. Today's Hama collection includes everything from basic bead sets to themed gift boxes featuring popular characters like PJ Masks and Gabby's Dollhouse, making creative projects accessible for children aged 3 and up.

Hama beads enable creative expression through colorful pixel-art designs that can be made on specially shaped pegboards. The beads come in two main sizes - Maxi beads for younger children and Midi beads for more detailed work - along with special variants like glow-in-the-dark and pastel mixes. You can choose from sets containing anywhere from 600 to 15,000 pieces, giving you exactly the quantity needed for small projects or extensive creative sessions.

Transform ideas into bead art

Hama bead crafting offers an engaging activity that develops fine motor skills while encouraging artistic expression across different age groups. The process involves placing beads on pegboards to create patterns, then using ironing paper to fuse them into permanent designs. This hands-on approach to creativity allows children and adults to make everything from simple shapes to complex character designs, with themed sets providing inspiration and guidance for specific projects.

How do beads spark creativity?

Bead sets encourage imagination and creative development through the tactile experience of building designs one bead at a time. The variety of colors and special effects available—including standard colors, pastel mixes, and glow-in-the-dark options—provides endless possibilities for personal expression. Different pegboard shapes, like butterflies, cars, and princess dresses, suggest design possibilities while allowing complete creative freedom. Storage boxes and activity sets help organize projects and maintain the creative flow.

Create with Hama pearl beads

Creating with beads combines the satisfaction of detailed handwork with the joy of seeing colorful designs come to life. This crafting method transforms individual plastic beads into permanent artwork through a simple heat-fusion process. The precise placement of each bead onto the pegboard pins develops fine motor control, while planning multi-colored patterns enhances spatial thinking skills and offers endless possibilities for personal expression through color and pattern.

Making your designs last

To make your bead creations permanent, use the heat-fusion technique with a household iron. Place ironing paper over your completed design on the pegboard, then apply a warm iron using circular motions. The controlled heat melts the bead surfaces just enough to create strong bonds between adjacent pieces. After the beads cool down completely, you can carefully lift your finished artwork off the pegboard pins.

Turn beads into art

Using Hama beads to create artwork offers a structured yet flexible approach to artistic expression. You begin by selecting a pegboard, which features small upright pins arranged in a grid pattern. The beads fit snugly onto these pins, allowing you to build designs row by row with precision. The bead boxes and bead sets range from 600-piece starter collections to comprehensive 15,000-piece assortments, with themed boxes featuring popular characters alongside classic color mixes including special variants like glow-in-the-dark and pastel collections.

Want to Learn Bead Numbers?

Understanding bead quantities and color distribution helps you plan projects effectively and ensures you have sufficient materials for complex designs. Many themed sets include detailed pattern guides that specify exactly which colors to place in each position, making it easy to recreate character designs or intricate patterns. This systematic approach to bead counting develops mathematical thinking while supporting the creative process, helping you organize materials efficiently and avoid running short of specific colors mid-project.

Why choose original Hama beads?

Authentic Hama beads offer consistent quality that directly impacts your creative results. The precise manufacturing ensures uniform bead diameter and controlled plastic composition, which affects how evenly the beads melt during the ironing process. Authentic hama beads maintain consistent diameter and melting temperature across all colors, ensuring even fusion when heated and preventing warping in finished designs. The beads come in different sizes, like Midi and Maxi, so you can pick what fits best for the age group using them.

Which pegboard design should I choose?

Pegboards feature precisely spaced pins that hold beads securely during design creation. Square and hexagonal boards offer maximum flexibility for geometric patterns, while shaped boards like butterflies or cars provide natural boundaries that help create recognizable figures. The Bead plates themselves are made from sturdy plastic and some are clear, which is helpful if you want to place a pattern underneath to follow along.

Start your bead creation

Starting with Hama beads opens up a world of creative possibilities, where you can transform simple colored beads into lasting designs. This craft activity develops fine motor skills while providing a calming, focused experience that both children and adults can enjoy. The process combines creativity with precision, as you carefully place each bead to build patterns, characters, or your own unique creations.

Are you ready to make your first design?

Arranging beads on the pegboard is where your design comes to life. You can use a simple pattern or get creative with your own creative play. Place each bead on a pin, one by one. Some sets include patterns for making specific designs like animals or characters, which can be a good starting point. Pegboards come in different shapes like butterflies, cars, and princess dresses, which help guide your designs.

Master basic bead techniques

Learning a few basic techniques helps you achieve good results with bead crafting. When you are ready to fuse the beads, cover your design with ironing paper and iron over it with steady, even pressure. Midi beads require careful attention to ensure even melting, while Maxi beads are more forgiving for younger crafters. Different bead quantities, ranging from 600 to 15,000 pieces, allow you to choose sets that match your project ambitions.