We've all got the old standbys: work out more, get that promotion, save some money. While I can't guarantee you'll get much exercise out of the Mario Coin Bank (maybe some extra hand-eye coordination with those tiny beads), it's a cute way to start the year off saving or even teach your children the value of a penny saved.
A girlfriend of mine got me interested in the Perler Bead Crafts, but I soon got a bit bored with the two-dimensional designs. This three-dimensional bank cost me less than $10.00 to make complete with beads, template, glue, parchment and plenty of supplies left over for more crafts. All of these supplies can be found at your local Wal-mart or craft store or even purchased directly from EK Success Brands website.
Step 1: Typically Perler beads are bought in bulk, so you're going to want to separate your supply into the colors you need. For this project, I primarily used yellow, black, and white.
Step 2:
Lay your beads out in the pattern indicated below. I have enlarged the photo to make the template easier to follow. You will need four sides in this pattern. Your fifth side should be a solid color. Your sixth side should have an empty row in the center.
Step 3:
Place the parchment paper over the beads and iron gently, passing over every 10-15 seconds. Once finished ironing, be sure not to remove the parchment paper until the beads have completely cooled--this may ruin the design.
Step 4: Glue all six sides together. It is easiest to glue each "?" side to the solid base first and then glue the slotted piece on top.Step 5: Start saving! And be sure to share the pictures of your finished products!
