• It is easy to grip and is the most comfortable tool to use.
• Specifically made for use with 5mm fuse beads. 

• Only compatible with 5mm fuse beads.
• You can only pick up two beads at a time, which forces you to do a lot of back-and-forth. 
• You cannot use this tool with Mini beads.
• Can lose its grip over time and require replacement. 
• Occasionally beads get stuck on the teeth.
• Top Tier Tip! To prevent this, you can smooth out the teeth with a nail file. 

The Perler Mini Bead Tweezers are metal and can be used for both Mini (2.6mm) & Standard (5mm) fuse beads. They are the most popular tool to use among Mini fuse bead artists. 

• Can pick up up 6 Mini beads at a time.
• Can pick up 4 Standard beads at a time.
• They are metal, which gives them more tension which holds the beads on the tweezer more effectively in comparison to the standard plastic tweezers.

Cons:

• Occasionally, the beads get stuck and you have to slide your finger down the tweezer to free the bead. Doesn't sound so bad.. Until you find yourself placing thousands of beads!! 

This Perler Bead Pen is a bit divisive among fuse bead artists. Some fuse bead artists sing it's praises, while others find it difficult to use. It consists of a plastic shell, with a mechanism inside that allows the beads to travel through the center and down through the bottom. To use, simply scoop beads into the chamber on top, and press the button to dispense the beads one at a time. 

• Effective for beading outlines, but is not practical for creating an entire project.
• Works great for filling in large single-color areas. 

Cons:

• Only compatible with 5mm fuse beads.
• Often has inconsistent results. Beads can get stuck inside the pen.
• Top Tier Tip! Hold it at an angle while beading and give it a slight shake frequently to ensure the beads keep flowing smoothly. If it jams, tip it upside down and press the button until it comes free.
• The bead loading chamber is a bit small. Considering that the ideal use for this tool is filling in large sections, it can be inconvenient to have to refill it often. 

Perler Bead Tweezers Plus

The Perler Bead Tweezer Plus is a bit of an unusual, niche beading tool. It is a plastic hybrid tool that combines the scoop functionality of the Spoon Straw and Bead Pen with the ability to tweeze. 

Pros:

• The scoop makes it convenient to pour small amounts of beads on the board to work from, much like the Pouring method.
• Eliminates the need to individually pick beads from a separate container.
• Features an ergonomic design, making it comfortable to use over long periods of time.

Cons:

• Compatible only with Standard 5mm beads.
• Can only pick up 2 beads at a time.
• The tweezer tips don't have any teeth to grip the beads, so beads occasionally slip.

Yep, you read that right! Who knew that the humble spoon straw would be a useful tool for creating fuse bead art?? Certainly not me! I learned of this technique from other ingenious fuse bead artists online. Now that I've tried it, it's now my absolute favorite technique/tool! Here's how to use the spoon straw: Plug the small end of the straw with your finger. Then use the scoop end of the straw to scoop up beads and fill up the straw. Pinch the small end of the straw and release the beads one at a time. 

• Once you get used to the flow, straight lines can be done in one quick motion.
• Loading the straw is simple and quick.
• No machinery required, making jams and technical issues (such as those with the bead pen) nonexistent.
• The straw is very inexpensive, which makes it a great choice for "beaders on a budget". 

Cons:

• Straw may get bent over time with repeated squeezing, and will need to be replaced eventually.
• If you don't apply even pressure to the end of the straw, extra beads can slip out. 

Pin/Paperclip Method

Wow, who knew so many household objects could be so useful for placing beads?! I've really learned a lot! So how do you use this method? Start by piercing the center of each bead to load them on to the straightened part of the paperclip or pin. Use your index finger to release beads onto the pegs. 

Pros:

• Paperclips and pins are cheap, simple, easy to use, and are readily available in most homes.
• Easy to load the beads.

Cons:

This method is great for filling in large empty areas in your project. First, outline your project. Then use your hands, a small bowl or a spoon, and pour beads inside the outline. Use tweezers or your preferred tool to move the beads into place. 

• Allows you to fill a large area quickly.
• This method requires very little back and forth. It's much quicker than picking up 2 beads at a time with a standard plastic tweezer, for example!
• Most beads fall onto the pegs on their own when you pour, so you only need to move those that didn't land on a peg.

Cons:

• Dropping beads on the pegboard, as well as knocking them over onto the pegs, can knock over beads that have already been placed. This can lead to issues with your project if not fixed.
• Very imprecise.
• This method cannot be used with multiple colors at once. 

Thanks for reading! I hope this review of all the beading tools and methods helps you become a TOP TIER fuse bead artist! Comment below if you know of any more methods or tools you use to create fuse bead art! And don't forget to shop TOP TIER for all your Perler & Artkal Fuse Beads and Essentials!