How to make a 3D Perler Bead Pokemon Box 3


We’ve been busy making 3D perler bead creations again.  I saw this amazing Totoro trinket box on Pinterest and instantly thought we needed one that was shaped like a Pokeball.   I knew it would be simple to make a 3D Perler Bead Pokemon box.  It was, but there were a few glitches along the way.   Hopefully this post will help you avoid them if you decide to make your own Perler Bead Pokeball box.  

Perler Bead Pokemon Box

Easy to make 3D Perler Bead Pokemon Box

Supplies needed for 3d Perler Bead Pokemon Box

  • Red, white and black Perler Beads
  • Small circle pegboard (if you have 2 or 3 it’s even better)
  • E6000 glue
  • Wax paper
  • A heavy book

For this project I recommend using E6000 glue.  It’s an amazing craft glue that adheres almost anything.   E6000 dries clear. Once it’s cured, it’s actually waterproof and dishwasher safe.  Many of the Perler Bead artists I know recommend it.  You could probably use hot glue, but I didn’t because I was worried the bond wouldn’t strong enough.    

BONUS TIP: E6000 is the perfect glue for adding a magnet to a Perler Bead creation.

Instructions for making a 3D Perler Bead Pokeball Box

This project is really simple   You basically make the pieces, and then you glue them together.  Honestly, you might not even need instructions and can figure out how to make it from the pictures.   

BUT I like instructions when I’m making something, so I’m going to give you instructions.

Before we begin, there are two tricks that you’ll need to use when ironing your pieces for the pokeball box to come together correctly.

  • First, when you iron try to be consistent with the amount of pressure you use.  If one of the parts is not ironed evenly your finished Pokeball will be crooked.  The real key is not to melt one side of the piece too much.  If you melt them unevenly,  one side will be smaller than the other so it will not be level when you glue it all together.
  • Second, to make the Pokeball box every piece of this project will need to be completely flat after it’s ironed.  Sometimes Perler Beads will curl a little and won’t be flat. This is bad.   You can prevent that from happening by placing a heavy book on top of it as soon as you melt it with the iron. If you forget the book, and find yourself with curled up pieces   You can heat the beads again with the iron and then place the book on top.   I found this trick out when I made these Pokeball earbud holders.  

Let’s start creating!

You are going to need to make a total of 10 Perler Bead pieces to complete your 3D Pokemon Perler Bead box.  For each piece make sure you are using the tricks above when ironing.  

First, you will need to make 2 Pokeball Perler Bead sprites created like the picture below.  One is the bottom of the box and one is the lid.  If you need instructions on melting and creating with Perler Beads I give the instructions HERE.  

Pokeball Perler Pattern

Make two of this pattern for your box.

For the outside of the box, you will also need to make 7 black Perler Bead outlines like the picture below.  

You don’t HAVE to make 7.  You can choose to make more or less of them based on how deep you’d like your box to be.  My box is about 1 ½ inches tall with the inner part only being 1 inch deep.

7 of this pattern

Make 7 pieces using this pattern. They will be the walls of your box.

Finally, you will need to make one smaller circle like the pattern pictured below.  This isn’t necessary, but I added it so that the top won’t randomly slide of my 3D Perler Bead Pokemon box.  

Small circle pattern

Optional piece to help keep the lid on your box.

Gluing the 3D Perler Bead Box

One you have completed all 10 pieces, all that’s left is to glue them together.  Oh boy, I was scared to glue mine.  I guess was worried I’d botch it up and then have to start all over again.  In fact, I was so nervous about it that I waited almost two weeks from the time I made the parts to the time I glued it together.  

All that worry was in vain though.

It was easy.  

You just have to do it slowly.   When I say slowly, I mean one piece at a time.

Pieces needed for Pokeball Box

Use E6000 glue to put all the pieces together.

Apply a thin layer of E6000 glue on one of the circle pieces.  Then take another piece and place it on top of the other lining up the beads.   Place those two pieces on a sheet of wax paper.   Place another sheet of wax paper on top and then put a heavy book on top of it.   The wax paper sandwich is there to protect your counter and your book.  I’m telling you now, you will walk away with those pieces under that book and wonder if they are even going to stick.  They will.  

When working with E6000 glue here’s a few things to keep in mind:

  • It takes a few minutes for it to get tacky.   
  • E6000 won’t actually begin to set for about 10 minutes.    
  • The Perler Bead pieces more than likely won’t be stuck together at ALL for the first 30 – 60 minutes
  • E6000 can be rubbed off like rubber cement until it’s cured.  Good news if you make a mistake.  
  • It takes at least 24 hours to cure.  

I did one piece at a time waiting at least 2 hours before gluing another piece.  I’m sure, it seems like it would be a long process, it is.   

All the large circle pieces will need to be glued to one of the Pokeball shaped ones.  The other Pokeball shaped one will need the small circle glued to it.  

Once the glue has dried your Perler Bead Pokeball box is ready for use.   I use mine on my desk filled with paper clips.  It would also be great for rings, earrings, loose change or hair clips.    

Like most of my Perler Bead projects, this could easily be changed up to make something besides a Pokeball.   You could make an emoji or a Captain America shield. You could even change the shape of the box and make a square box with a Creeper or Steve on it.   

Perler Bead Pokeball box

DIY Perler Bead Pokeball box


3 thoughts on “How to make a 3D Perler Bead Pokemon Box

  • Cori

    This is so cool! I know my daughter and son would love to make these. We have a bunch of perler beads we haven’t played with in a while, I think I know what our weekend project will be.

  • Krysanthe Post author

    Oh they will have fun Cori, and I love being able to make something that they can actually use. Most Perler stuff just gets pushed aside. Have fun making it!

  • Riley

    This is super helpful, thank you! I’m making a rectangular box using this method. I notice that for the underside of the lid meant to keep it from sliding off, you made the circle 2 bead widths smaller than the lid. Would 1 bead width difference work ok? I’m making a design on the underside of my lid and was hoping to make it 1 bead width smaller than the top of the lid.

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