Summer in Fuse Beads: Our Sunny Selection of Ice Creams, Beaches and Seaside Fun

Ah, summer… Long lazy days, sand between your toes, and that little urge to craft in the shade when the sun gets a bit too fierce. At my house, this is THE time of year when the fuse-bead box never leaves the garden table. So today I have put together a 100% holiday selection: ice creams that never melt, fruit bursting with colour, a proper seaside vibe, and plenty to keep the kids busy all afternoon. Grab your pegboards — we are off on a fuse-bead holiday!

Frozen treats that never melt

Let’s start with the sweetest, of course. Ice cream is THE symbol of summer, and it is also one of the easiest designs to make: a few rows, two or three colours, and there you go — an adorable little cone. Perfect for getting started with the little ones.

If you would like to follow the assembly step by step, this short video shows you how to make a simple cone, from placing the beads to ironing them:

Fancy something more like a popsicle? This icy-lolly duo works in every colour of your box — ideal for using up those leftover bead bags.

And for fans of bright, slushy drinks, this little frozen cup looks great on a keyring or a fridge magnet.

Summer fruit, colourful and oh-so-easy

Fruit is my little seasonal favourite: round shapes, bold colours, and a grid pattern you can read at a glance. Watermelon is the undisputed star, instantly recognisable with its red flesh, green rind and tiny black seeds.

Pineapple brings an instant tropical touch. A lovely yellow, a green tuft on top, and you are done.

Can’t decide? Dip into this assortment of fruit — enough to build a pretty summer basket for the fridge door.

Off to the beach and the seaside

You simply cannot talk about summer without a little detour to the sea. If the theme appeals to you, I once gathered a lovely series of marine lighthouses in Hama beads that pairs beautifully with this selection.

For a touch of magic, this colourful-haired mermaid will win over the kids (and the grown-ups too, let’s be honest).

And because a pink flamingo instantly says pool party and holidays, here is a nice simple one to recreate.

Two homemade grids to follow

To round things off, I made two homemade grids designed for fuse beads: each square is one bead (1 square = 1 bead), exactly like a cross-stitch chart you would convert as-is. Start with this brightly coloured beach ball:

Then try this fun little crab, perfect for decorating a beach bucket:

Holiday spirit, in full colour

A few very simple designs to bring the sunshine indoors. First this smiling sun, which makes you grin just by looking at it.

Then a rainbow, ideal for using as many colours as possible and teaching the kids about gradients.

And for a very on-trend decorative touch, these little cacti and succulents need almost no watering at all.

And for the sunny picnic

Nothing beats a good meal in the open air. This tasty burger-and-fries combo makes a wonderful keyring.

And if you are heading off camping, this little campsite scene sums up the family-holiday spirit all on its own. A friendly nod to fans of seaside fuse-bead adventures.

There you go — enough to fill every sunny afternoon! Feel free to mix the designs, swap the colours to match your box, and above all let the children invent their own versions. Summer is the perfect season to get started: bring out the pegboards and the iron, and make me some lovely creations. Happy crafty holidays, everyone, and see you very soon for a new selection! — Léa