We have all seen Perler brand beads. They are often used in kids crafts to create flat facsimiles of various things. If you have been to a gaming or comic convention then you have most certainly seen at least one booth that was predominantly bead art (there are several companies that make the beads, not just Perler). Most often the items you will see at shows will be simple stuff, like a character head or a charm or collectible from a game. In this step by step picture tutorial I am going to walk you through making a 3D scene from Legend of Zelda by Nintendo.


![IMG_20170805_141824.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmR72HFpJPSduhFnTRgVnS9RmMLJocmNGpAjEQfFXZiqin/IMG_20170805_141824.jpg)
This is what we are going to build.

First, we need to get our board out. I use the bigger, non-interlocking, board available on Amazon or Ebay. I like this board over the individual, interlocking, boards because it is one piece. If you are doing larger designs that require more than one of the smaller boards to be connected with additional boards then you have to make sure to line them up correctly before finalizing the piece.

![IMG_20170805_111012.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmR5ezieVVzSVRuwoQDVmnou712Dk3XRBw8QsyaHAVHyQd/IMG_20170805_111012.jpg)
Super Pegboard

## Step One: Where to begin
![IMG_20170805_123355.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQApLRshA8sSj1Jm26CWi4LBsdRPJpm1Yd88GMHKshYn7/IMG_20170805_123355.jpg)
I like to start with the floor piece since everything else in our design here will lock into it bringing the scene together. Considering there is a lot of gray in this piece, I start with the gray squares.

![IMG_20170805_124013.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPdS6EHwf6HmytdRbF1GpSJUtaNo5KAXHrUB8KySrAcV1/IMG_20170805_124013.jpg)
Considering the floor is quite simple I go ahead and lay out all of the gray beads before adding in the other two colors (white and black). Your starting point might be different so experiment a bit and go wit what works for you. I just hate swapping colors back and forth as I work - I like to knock out as much of a color as I can as I go through a piece.

## Step Two: Fill in the blanks
![IMG_20170805_124442.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNiNKrVdTFbYwgThFySUtGK2fW1vAMaZeUKrx9wga3xiH/IMG_20170805_124442.jpg)
I next add in the black beads then finally the white beads. 

## Step #3: The back wall
![IMG_20170805_125921.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbqopxsJmZpA4VcyZkSHWebvEa54N6raNU5KUHbnvMkhR/IMG_20170805_125921.jpg)
I start at the top and work my way down so I don't disturb the beads already set. The walls in this Legend of Zelda piece require a fair bit of swapping back and forth between colors.

![IMG_20170805_131250.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcPGuifkfuSaHQkcfytcCjmbQjwCYg4s5mBMP9LnV8fDz/IMG_20170805_131250.jpg)
As you can see, this wall contains a bit of detail that Link blocks in the final picture.

## Step #4: The left wall
![IMG_20170805_131654.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcLZopMiC9Vm3ppA8mAC1w4FDWPh4H6Ak8ed2e5Mfa5em/IMG_20170805_131654.jpg)
This is a good time to bring up "starting points". While I do focus on starting at the top, sometimes it is just easier to start with the harder part of the piece. In this case, the left wall, that would be the large black splotch which is supposed to represent the aftermath of Link using a bomb to access the crevice in the wall. 

![IMG_20170805_132254.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbRyHM7fMu8RyPCCPCBzq3Wq1SwgjsLYKEYdXztASUBdg/IMG_20170805_132254.jpg)
Continuing on from the black area it is a good idea to just go ahead and fill in the detail around it. This will make it easier to keep track of where you are in the design as you reach the top.

![IMG_20170805_132820.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZB1k8cDyLRWDcvREeTsXUJQtoViXN5a1uYxJQBeDzXcA/IMG_20170805_132820.jpg)

## Step 6: We build Link
![IMG_20170805_135123.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmd49mTvwAqHUqCyiCLjQ5yEt25AsH1sEp37m2rsJkpSbg/IMG_20170805_135123.jpg)
Going back to my regular method of starting at the top, I start with Link's newfound treasure.

![IMG_20170805_135534.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbSDkX2FyaB2CE5Vf32YKPLbVck5zvRggse3HXDndmuFV/IMG_20170805_135534.jpg)
As you can see, Link is just a few basic colors but still requires a bit of swapping till you get to his torso area. 

![IMG_20170805_135928.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWJbsLik9NqeB4kYzwpnWhZWZU1npvbDF8zMAfkeo6JtV/IMG_20170805_135928.jpg)
An easy way to keep from swapping colors so much is to count out the spaces, even using too many beads to keep you on track. Just remove the extra beads.

![IMG_20170805_140356.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbxDbYVs5oaggHE9fvaJq4YEdUCVoNzNVJLWBYqFE938E/IMG_20170805_140356.jpg)

Finally we are done! Now to assemble the pieces and call it a day. Let me know your creations in the comments!

![Zelda_Link_Perler_Bead_3D_Scene (1).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRyqwgBJ1kaUe8s1u5h63FKKNKUcS6JYemcaQs1C6fRvi/Zelda_Link_Perler_Bead_3D_Scene%20(1).jpg)

If you are more interested in owning this piece rather than buying all of the supplies to make one, I have them for sale on Eaby - http://www.ebay.com/itm/221949591776?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 When buying, if you mention you are from Steemit (please include your screen name) I will give you a 10% discount (on top of free shipping). Who wants one?