Hi there! If you like what I do and want to support in some way, every donation is appreciated!

**** + **[/r/beadsprites](http://www.reddit.com/r/beadsprites/)** + **[Bead Sprites 101](http://www.reddit.com/r/beadsprites/comments/fatft/faq_beadsprites_101/)** + **[What colors to buy](http://www.reddit.com/r/beadsprites/comments/fbdkb/faq_what_colors_should_i_buy/)** + **[Where to buy beads](http://www.reddit.com/r/beadsprites/comments/jy7c9/faq_where_to_buy_beads/)** + **[Color chart](http://i.imgur.com/9cSQP.jpg)** + **[RGB/Hex color chart by LThanda](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1f988o68HDvk335xXllJD16vxLBuRcmm3vg6U9lVaYpA/edit#gid=0)** + **[Where to find sprites](http://www.reddit.com/r/beadsprites/comments/ko9rb/a_collection_of_sites_that_supply_pixel_art_going/)** + **[Bead Surge program by surger1](http://www.zed-ex.com/BeadSurge.aspx)** + **Tape method: [Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6aXX25iDLY) | [Part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D-klpuZYhs)** + **[How to iron large perlers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CP84oSfvfU)** **** **Q: What is that you're doing/making?** **A:** I'm making what's commonly known as a perler, or bead art. The short answer is I'm taking beads, putting them on a board, making a sprite, then ironing it. **** **Q: What program are you using to do this?** **A:** I'm using a great program called [Bead Surge](http://www.zed-ex.com/BeadSurge.aspx). It's a really awesome program because it will extract the sprite from the sprite sheet you click on and convert it to the nearest bead colors it thinks it should be. It isn't always accurate, but you can edit to colors to your liking. It also has stats that show you the estimated cost (for supplies), estimated time to make the perler, size, bead count, and even how many beads of each color you're using! On top of that, you can make an inventory of all of the perlers you have, and everytime you go to "finish project", it will remove the bead count from your inventory automatically. This makes it super easy to keep track of how many beads you have for each color. The one downside I found from the program is it can be pretty unstable and it has a common problem with crashing. Fortunately, you can save your pattern so if it crashes, you don't have to edit the colors again. **** **Q: What are you going to do with it when it's done?** **A:** I'm either making it as a prize for the next upcoming GDQ, or I'm doing it as a commission. I rarely keep any for myself. **** **Q: Where do you buy your beads?** **A:** I buy them in bulk usually from [EKSuccess Brands](http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/perlerbeads/). They have really good prices and just about every perler color you could need. Also, if you use the code "BEADS25" when you check out, you get 25% off your entire order, and the shipping is free if your order is over $45! If I'm ordering Hama or Nabbi beads, I order from [Bakers' Kids Crafts](http://stores.ebay.com/BakersKidsCraftsBooks-More). **** **Q: Hama? Nabbi?** **A:** Yes. They're not much different from perler, except the material is a bit different, so they usually melt at a lower temperature. I don't use Hama or Nabbi often because they look different when combined with Perler after ironing, but they have some extra colors and I can't get from Perler. **** **Q: What are those things you keep your beads in and where can I get some?** **A:** They're part of a really convenient hardware/craft cabinet. It comes with 64 drawers that you can remove individually. You can get one located [here](http://amzn.com/B000LDH3JC) for less than $30! **** **Q: What do you do to keep the perlers together?** **A:** As mentioned earlier, I iron them together. You can use pretty much any iron you can find from stores. I think I got mine for like $10. The process is pretty simple. You want to get either ironing paper (commonly found in craft stores) or the better alternative is to use parchment paper (found at pretty much any grocery store in the baking isle). This keeps the beads from melting to the iron. Also, do not use the steam feature on your iron. And don't pour water in it. When you are ready to iron, lay down the paper, make sure your iron is at a fairly hot setting, then start ironing. The best method is to go in a slow, circular motion. Also, don't apply too much pressure. It doesn't take long for the beads to melt, but some will take longer than others. You'll learn over time the best way to do this. Once the one side is done, let it sit to cool. It's recommended you put something heavy on top of it, like a book, to prevent the perler from curling. Once It's cooled and you're sure all the beads fused together, remove the paper, flip the perler over, and start on the other side. For bigger projects, I use the tape method before I start ironing. **** **Q: What is the tape method?** **A:** The tape method is what most people use for really big perlers that save a huge amount of stress when ironing. Basically, you're just laying down masking tape or painter's tape down on the perler until it's completely covered, then you CAREFULLY flip the perler over, remove the peg boards, then iron that side. I personally recommend using painter's tape because it's much easier to peel off when you're done ironing the one side. There's a great video on how to apply the tape located [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6aXX25iDLY). **** **Q: I have a question regarding ______** **A: Check the links at the top for any questions you might have. They should be able to answer most, if not all of your questions. If you still have a question, feel free to ask me in the chat!**

+ **[Youtube](http://www.youtube.com/user/mecharichter)** + **[Twitter](https://twitter.com/mecharichter)** + **[Backloggery](http://backloggery.com/mecharichter)** + **[DeviantArt](http://sacredskullkid.deviantart.com/)**

+ Castlevania: SotN - Richter any% - **[5:18]** + Castlevania: SotN - Richter all bosses - **[24:51](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/v/32195613)** + Castlevania: SotN - Alucard any% - **[18:54](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/c/3350102)** + Castlevania: SotN - Alucard pacifist - **1:1314** + Castlevania: SotN - Alucard low% wolf - **[34:19](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/c/4378765)** + Castlevania: SotN - Alucard low% bat - **[2:34:20](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/c/5022535)** + Captain Comic - **[7:52](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsZb7wQ5Gl8)** + Cool World (SNES) - **[8:46](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ9lRtOhriA)** + Comix Zone - **[12:36](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjgNdMfg2ow)** + Bucky O'Hare - Hard mode - **[40:56](http://www.twitch.tv/mecha_richter/c/2111011)** + Dynamite Headdy - US Any% - **[38:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSMSdMrfphI)** + Hard Corps: Uprising - Sayuri rising mode - **[36:25](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3xnLCfEa0M)** + Gremlins 2 - **[8:36](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/c/5467493)** + Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow - Hard Any% - **[34:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynJdSq6xc7k)** + PLOK! - **[31:44](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IENgGdeMH3E)** + Earthworm Jim HD - **[30:35.212](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEFBEAD8974A9FEE9)** + Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES) - co-op with **[PJ](http://www.twitch.tv/pjdicesare)** - **[23:29](http://speeddemosarchive.com/BattletoadsAndDoubleDragonNES.html)** + Battletoads & Double Dragon (SNES) - co-op with **[PJ](http://www.twitch.tv/pjdicesare)** - **[18:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NCGjW2SsXU)** + Battleblock Theater - Any% NG+ normal, co-op with **[PJ](http://www.twitch.tv/pjdicesare)** - **[1:26:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDaKVtXXTgI)** + Battleblock Theater - 100% NG+ normal, co-op with **[PJ](http://www.twitch.tv/pjdicesare)** - **[2:27:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usCiPApfvHI)** + TMNT3 - co-op with **[PJ](http://www.twitch.tv/pjdicesare)** - **[36:26](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRHJpXUpwTs)** + Swamp Thing - **[14:28](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/c/5539117)** + Treasure Master - Any% Prize World **[22:38](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/c/5467550)** + DinoCity - Any% Rex **[21:35](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/v/46104348)** + DinoCity - Any% Tops **[20:58](http://www.twitch.tv/mecharichter/v/46110519)**

A: That was created by Matt Likness, aka Evilplexity. He's an amazing artist that did work for me, PJ, Klaige, and Murphagator, among others. If you want to see his other work, check out his FB page at **[MeAT-Artworx](https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeAT-Artworx/167831829944559)** or his Twitter at **[@Evilplexity](https://twitter.com/Evilplexity)** . He does do commissions so if you want a drawing like the one he did for me, I highly recommend doing so!