Melting Pony Beads into Enamel Dots - In Real Time

There are many KZbin videos out there on how to create enamel dots by melting perler beads and pony beads, however I have yet to see one in real time. I'm not saying they aren't out there, just that I haven't seen any videos here on KZbin. So I thought while I was experimenting with the Pony beads on how high the oven temperature should be and how long to leave them in the oven I decided to go ahead and film the process for any of you who are thinking of doing the same.
Please note the DISCLAIMER in the video! I do NOT recommend anyone do this if they are NOT in a WELL VENTILATED area, or anyone who has respiratory problems, or anyone who has children around whilst doing this. PLEASE OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS while doing this technique! These beads are plastic and do give off an unpleasant odour. I take NO responsibility for any burns, health problems or ANYTHING related to the technique you see in my video here. Thanks for taking the time to read this :)

[@goodiesfondant1]

Thank you so much for this tutorial and for showing the different results. I was thinking that what I will do with those pearlescent beads is to glue a tiny bit of bling in the depression on the top or just another tiny pearl because I love the color. Thanks again!

[@Bruuski]

Use a cheap toaster oven with temperature control and cook them outside.

[@ozegran]

Exactly!

[@sophietaylor9393]

Whats a toaster oven?

[@DianneFagoArt]

Thanks so much for doing this, Jen! It was nice to see things happing in real time and you explaining what was going on exactly. This will be lots of fun to try!

[@ozegran]

You're very welcome, Di!!! Now DON'T do it while the kids are home!!! :) Smiles Jen

[@deborahparsonage9382]

Hi, have only recently found your channel. Have been trying to make these dots unsuccessfully with hamma beads. Today my order of pony beads arrived and bingo , it worked. Would like to say a big thank you for sharing the video. Off to melt more xx

[@ThePOOKIE319]

SORRY I HEARD TO LEAVE THEM IN FOR 20-25 MIN. AT WHAT TEMP??

[@brendalawrence6732]

Thanks Jen, I really loved seeing this whole process and all the tips. I want to melt some too, but will wait til it is warmer and I can throw open the windows and doors. Don't want to gag the family. lol

[@ozegran]

Yeah Brenda, definitely wait until it's warmer and you have the house to yourself :)

[@fromcheaptochic]

Getting ready to make some of these this weekend. Thanks for this video🤗

[@ozegran]

Have fun!

[@silvermckenzie]

You can make 3d flower centers and embellies with them also. I did a tutorial on this.

[@ozegran]

Cool, will definitely look up your channel and find the video :) Thanks!

[@angela14962002]

The variations in the final product of the melted beads do not bother me...the pearlescent hole that doesn't melt all the way out of the beads doesn't bother me either. I think they are pretty and the variations adds character - It makes art/craft projects look more homemade, which I like. Thanks for sharing!!! :) I work with glass (glass fusing), and sometimes things do not always come out perfectly, but I still love the look. I never thought to do this with plastic, but it reminds me of glass fusing without having to fire up my kiln. :) I will have to try it. (Oh and just a thought... If you used a designated blender to grind up the plastic, you may be able to fill the holes with it, which may result in a smoother surface. Obviously, this is just a thought - me thinking out loud as if experimenting with my glass - but if it works, you then may be able to get creative and start mix-matching colors for multicolored enamel dots.)

[@ozegran]

WOW! Brilliant idea grinding them. Now you have me thinking lol. Thanks for sharing :)

[@angela14962002]

ozegran If it works, please let me know. :)

[@ozegran]

My oven needs to get a bit grubbier before I try the next batch as I need to clean it after I melt beads in it LOL but will let you know when I do. Someone else mentioned that you could just slice the beads in half to get smaller dots, I will definitely be trying that one!

[@todaylibrary]

That was very nice of you to do the variety of beads. It really helps to see a visual in real time. Awesome job. Sincerely, Elaine Rico

[@ozegran]

Hi Elaine :) Yes, I am a visual also :)

[@martinahinojosa2177]

Beautiful and wonderful idea.

[@mammaluna5249]

I see your video only today!! I didn't understand the oven temperature😱 Thank You very much and many Congratulations 👏👏👏👏

[@ozegran]

Loredana Rita Ciaghi Thank you so much 😄 Hope it helped you

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Thank you for sharing the process!!

[@hollymarkle2861]

I love you voice and how you do everything REAL Time, but I'd truly like to see you face to feel like I know you! Thank you so much!

[@ozegran]

LOL one day I might be brave enough to do that, we shall see :) Thanks Holly

[@Luvthypaper233]

Just tried this and they are perfect, thank you fellow Aussie!

[@ozegran]

Yay! Glad they worked for you :)

[@jeepgirlscozycrafts]

I picked up a toaster over up at a yard sale for $2 just to make these an use it outside on the deck. Look up toaster over if you want to see what one is. I bet others can find one at a second hand store, like Savers or Goodwill. I would NOT melt these inside the house!

[@danasplace55]

I tried the pony beads and when they were done they were shiny and beautiful. I took them out and pout them on top of the stove for a minute and they became dull and misshapen. What happened?????

[@mckaylacarmichael875]

What can you use these for? I am watching this and I love how they look! What crafts or ideas can you do with them?

[@ozegran]

Hi McKayla, I use them on scrapbook layouts and greeting cards as embellishments - they are a substitute for enamel dots

[@mckaylacarmichael875]

ozegran Thank you so much for responding! They are really pretty!

[@mckaylacarmichael875]

ozegran​ I figured out what else to use them for. Decorating candles. I wish I was able to show you.

[@lalamonarca79]

Bracelets earings rings and is melted together for a flower

[@lisajarvis3820]

Can also be used for making mosaic

[@tracichavez1897]

Maybe I missed it, but what do you use them for?

[@ArtisticHobo-TanyaMcAlexander]

Thank you Jen, this is great!! (This is Tanya,with google + changing how youtube does things...now I have to have more than one account for several reasons...sorry for the confusion) Anyway thanks again for showing this. Its sad that the pearlescent beads don't flatten all the way out. But at least we can do the other colors. I wonder what other things we can melt to make some cool accents for our crafts...

[@ozegran]

I wonder too what we could melt/dismantle/break LOL. Thanks Tanya :)

[@bfield1000]

Dont need anything to weight paper down, just lightly spray tin first then lay paper down, it will old it down and wont effect anything in a bad way

[@ozegran]

bfield1000 good to know, thanks 😄

[@narlesnave]

Marvelous tip and they turn out great!

[@dharkling890]

Thanx for the video! Love the idea. I'm across the pond in the US but my hubbie is from Brisbane and my "adopted" daughter, son in law and gran kids are near Bodesert! I'm going to try your idea on my trinket boxes I make and use some little brads I have to give them being and hide any imperfections :-D

[@ozegran]

Hi Carol :) Oh I have a daughter in Brisbane also, along with two of my grandsons! You will love these melted beads, although if you want different sizes, say smaller, just play around with them :) Smiles Jen

[@joancayenne9293]

Very lovely, but what do you make with them?

[@ozegran]

Hi Joan. I use them as embellishments in cards and scrapbook pages. Cheaper than buying flat back pearls

[@JustCardsBySara]

I love the pearlescent ones my cheap stores and riot act I only get there every three months so I will have to wait to then

[@ozegran]

Yeah I really loved the pearlescent colours too, Sara. I will pm you on FaceBook and let you know where you can buy individual colours in smaller lots if you like.

[@ozegran]

Found the link JustCardsBy Sara - I had given it to another lady who asked where to get them in Australia. Here's the link: www.pollyscrafts.com.au/Perler%20Beads.htm Smiles Jen

[@JustCardsBySara]

thanks sweetie ill check it out

[@cieannaewers7286]

Me too

[@1sissy2]

what do you do with them.

[@carriebishop8838]

What do you use the dots for and what does everyone else use them for?

[@jessicakane5644]

I'm not trying to sound mean when I say this but I'm just curious of what you can do with these

[@ozegran]

Hi Shay Carl We use them on scrapbook layouts and greeting cards.

[@randicommand2453]

any time you melt plastic, the fumes that come off it have particles in them and they stick to whatever they touch.. the inside of the oven, the kitchen walls, dishes, food on the counters, your lungs..

[@ozegran]

Randi Command Thanks Randi, I cleaned my oven after I melted the beads and haven't melted any more. will probably but a small portable oven and use it outside next time

[@Lavenderrose73]

I like the more rounded, higher up ones. The flatter ones would make good bingo chips, though. Lol It's pretty sad, though, that the pearlescent beads did not melt as evenly since I think those are a lot prettier. I have glow in the dark pony beads, and was wondering how I could put them to good use and make them into nice jewelry without looking too kiddish. I like the idea of being able to melt them, which I didn't know I could do until just a few minutes ago, but I do wonder if the glow in the dark stuff in the beads might be harmed or put out chemicals in the oven that might hurt my food later.

[@ozegran]

Lol at bingo chips Yes I LOVE the colours of the pearlescent beads too, shame. I don't think I would tey the glow in the dark beads in your kitchen oven, but if you had a portable oven you could use outside, then that would be a different story :)

[@Lavenderrose73]

ozegran Yeah, I've got this little 2 brm apartment, so I don't see that happening. Oh well, I'll figure something out. That thumbnail looks so cool, I would never have known that those had been pony beads!

[@virginiaburns5278]

How CLEVER are you to think of this! Enamel dots are lovely, but hard to get and quite expensive! This is a terrific alternative. I've done them with coloured dots and Glossy Accents, but they weren't as good as yours, not by a long shot! Thank you!

[@ozegran]

Hi Virginia Oh I didn't think of this technique, just wanted to put it out there shown in real time for my subbies, but thanks :) Enamel dots really are way too expensive to buy and they look so perfect on cards and layouts we just had to have an alternative to them :)

[@virginiaburns5278]

ozegran Well, thank you .. whether you invented this or not, it's a great technique!

[@TheHappyDiane]

They sure look fun!!! You are going to have enough to last you *MANY* years! LOL

[@ozegran]

Oh Diane, you know it!!! :)

[@lorrisbits]

Thanks for showing the process! I wonder something - you know the lil tiny gems, could u put one over the hole on the pearly beads before you melt and would it fill that depression, I love how the pearl ones look! I have no pearl ones, have never seen them in our stores or I'd try it... if you try it will you let me know how it comes out? Lo

[@ozegran]

Cool idea Lorri! I will definitely try putting a piece of bling in the top centre before I melt next time :) Will be a while before I try though, just cleaned the oven LOL

[@carolek09]

Excellent video.

[@alicemckane4329]

What a great idea! I have a million beads that I can melt!!

[@ozegran]

Alice McKane Have fun! 😀

[@lindlalivingston1841]

just to let you know that pony beads arent toxic i googled it your safe jen

[@ozegran]

Thanks for your feedback Linda 😊

[@chrisp4962]

why are you doing this? what do you use them for?

[@ozegran]

Chris, they are used as embellishments on cards and scrapbook layouts. Less expensive than buying the real deal

[@sharonnesvog4269]

Those pearlescent beads are beautiful! Love the dreamy colors! Actually...all these beads/dots look wonderful!! I've been watching a pile of DIY Enamel Dot tutorials this evening...and there are so many varying opinions, times for melting, etc. I am curious as to why you only use your parchment paper once. Other tutorials I've watched...they say they've used and reused the sheet til it's almost falling apart. I'm just wondering if there's a safety reason for not reusing....or??? Anyway....great tutorial! And I love your accent!! ☺ TFS!

[@ozegran]

Sharon Nesvog Hi Sharon :) No, no real reason. Just thought the paper may have torn and Scattered the beads as I took them off. Just my OCD kicking in lol. Oh I cannot fathom how anyone could love the Aussie accent lol Thanks Jen

[@randicommand2453]

ozegran .. I love the Aussie accents! I watched all seasons of 'Offspring' and after a while it grew on me so much I almost couldn't hear it unless I thought about it.

[@maddyfogarty6175]

What do you do with these

[@ozegran]

Hi Maddie, they’re usually used to add as embellishments to cards and scrapbook pages

[@sophiafoleyyy]

I love your accent ♥♥♥

[@OrganicSilverMoonDesignsLLG]

Wow guess Iam abit late seeing your post, but wow these would make some Inexpensive cabochons,Maybe you would consider reposting a new video on this or other Beads,Thank you for sharing great video! 2019 Now.

[@ButterflyDreamdesigns]

They look good enough to eat! Lol. I was wondering.... if you did them in less time , would they be more like a flat back pearl?. TFS Bobbie:)

[@ozegran]

Some of them resemble the flat-backed pearls, and yes, but I found you needed to leave in the oven for at least 8 minutes. And YES, they look like Smarties or MnMs LOL

[@NasrinAhady]

I like those who are not perfect, beautiful

[@ozegran]

Yeah, they add that extra something to your project, don't they :) Thanks so much!

[@slysweetie19]

Are the plastic?

[@katerilevasseur]

What do you make with these?

[@alindastar4297]

????? Did I miss something? What do you do with them afterward?

[@ozegran]

alindastar They are flat backed so can be adhered to any surface as an embellishment, usually cards and scrapbook layouts

[@alindastar4297]

Oh, that helps a lot. Thanks.

[@sophietaylor9393]

Hahaha i was tbinking the same thing Hahah like what do u do with them now lol

[@ozegran]

I just cleaned my craft room and found them, I still make cards so will definitely be using them up now 😄

[@cheryllynn2096]

how many do you use to make the big ones?

[@ozegran]

Ooooh Cheryl I think I only used one to make them all. It seems to depend on the amount of time you leave them in the oven or whether they are peony beads or pearler beads I think

[@ivoryroberts546]

what do you do with them ?

[@ozegran]

I add them to cards as embellishment

[@SandraBevr01]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing :)

[@ozegran]

Thanks for commenting, Sandra :)

[@alishadunham8455]

You have to put then in longer

[@fionawhite6983]

This is awesome where do you get them.

[@ozegran]

Hi Fiona, Riot Art stores here in NSW stock the Pony Beads and if I remember rightly, they also stock the Perler Beads. I bought mine online before I found them here and paid a small fortune for them. Hope this helps :)

[@Lin.Stone.]

WOW THAT IS AMAZING!!!!

[@ozegran]

Thanks Linden :)

[@decsmam]

what size of beads do you use?

[@ozegran]

Hi I think they would be about 1/4" wide and about the same height. There were no dimensions on the packet that I remember

[@lynn2cu]

Thanks for doing this Ozegran! Fantastic video! Lmags

[@ozegran]

You're welcome Lynn :)

[@rebecawolfe4669]

where do u buy the beads?

[@ozegran]

Hi rebeca lane I bought the Pony Beads from our local Riot Art store here in Newcastle, Australia. My daughter bought the Perler beads from ebay. Sorry, I do not know the ebay seller's details. I just googled Perler Beads and came up with the following online seller which I have only heard good reviews about: www.pollyscrafts.com.au/Perler%20Beads.htm Hope this helps :)

[@fortymeg]

what fun!

[@randomfamilydavenport]

You can use the same paper over and over and over

[@ozegran]

Jessica Davenport Thanks for the tip :)

[@randomfamilydavenport]

Ni problem iv been using the same 4 pieces for months although after a while the paper does tend to get wrinkles

[@noahchassin3151]

What temp.?

[@ozegran]

Hi Noah I think I mention in the video what temperature I used. Without watching the video again (on ipad ATM) I couldn't say, sorry. It's trial and error as each oven is different. Try 200c first and go from there. Hope this helps

[@noahchassin3151]

Ok thanks

[@user-lf8tw8hd1t]

When you mean when you read

[@walidbadaoui5318]

thank you bravo

[@ozegran]

Thank you :) Have fun!

[@marilynnellsworth4300]

Thanks for going into such depth with melting the beads. I have been thinking about trying this but some people have not had such good luck doing it. Hugs

[@ozegran]

Hi Marilyn You're welcome :) I needed a visual and I'm sure a lot of others need the same :) I didn't have much luck with the pearlescent pony beads though, no matter what I did it still ended up with a "dimple" in the top centre. I'm guessing there are different brands around which is why the difference. Smiles Jen