Caviar beads are tiny PVC or acrylic beads that are widely used in the fashion and craft industry. Applied by heat or glue, caviar beads come in a seemingly endless variety of shapes, colors and textures. They are named for their tiny size and likeness to the roe of the sturgeon fish. Using caviar beads in your projects is a simple and a creative way to add pizazz to your crafts.
Instructions
1. Choose a sturdy surface on which to perform this task, such as a table or kitchen counter.
2. Spread towels over the surface of your counter or table, using as many towels as needed to cover the area. Only a layer of towels is necessary if they are plush. If they are worn and thin, use two layers.
3. Plug in the iron and let it heat to a high temperature.
4. Spread the piece of fabric out evenly before you, whether it be a pillowcase, T-shirt or something else. Make sure there are no wrinkles in the fabric, and iron it if necessary.
5. Choose a stencil. Butterflies, hearts and stars are popular caviar bead designs for shirts, and as pocket decals for jeans.
6. Place the stencil on the fabric where you want the caviar bead decal to appear.
7. Hold the stencil in place firmly with your hand as you fill in the void with caviar beads. Choose a solid color of beads, or a rainbow mix for an attractive glimmer in your design. If the stencil is held carefully, the beads will not move from the stencil.
8. Place a sheet of iron-on transfer paper carefully on top of the beaded stencil design. Make sure your hands are steady to prevent the beads from shifting. Make sure you place the glossy side of the transfer paper downward in order for it to be adhesive.
9. Place the widest part of the hot iron directly on top of the transfer paper, smashing it into the caviar beads. Hold the iron in place for approximately 30 seconds, and then place it on the edges of where the beaded stencil lay. This will melt the plastic transfer stencil, as well as the caviar beads.
10. Glide the hot iron over the transfer paper, pressing firmly but gently as you feel the beaded stencil beneath the paper. Move the iron in an up-and-down motion for about 45 to 60 seconds.
11. Remove the iron and allow the transfer paper to cool to the fabric for approximately two minutes.
12. Lift a corner of the transfer paper sheet, and carefully pull away from the fabric towards yourself. The paper should easily give way, leaving the fresh design of melted caviar beads.
13. Wash the fabric in cool water and tumble dry warm in order to remove the film leftover by the iron-on transfer paper. Alternatively, turn a printed garment inside out and wash in hot water to remove the film more quickly.
Tags: transfer paper, caviar beads, beaded stencil, Make sure, caviar bead, iron-on transfer, iron-on transfer paper
