About Us
Since 1981, we have been on a mission to bring color, creativity, and connection to crafting tables around the world. Our story began in a family garage in Santa Rosa, California, when founders Peter Schnack and DeDe Quinn discovered a simple yet brilliant idea while living in Denmark. Their children loved playing with small plastic beads that could be arranged into designs and then fused together—but these beads simply were not available back home in the United States. Determined to share that joy with American families, they started importing and selling bead kits. The response was overwhelming. Within a few years, what began in a garage grew into a full‑scale manufacturing facility, eventually employing over 100 people and shipping our products to families all over the world.
Our simple formula has remained unchanged: colorful plastic beads + a pegboard + a household iron unlock endless possibilities. Each bead is made from low‑density polyethylene (LDPE), a food‑grade plastic that is non‑toxic, safe, and free from harmful chemicals. Our beads come in dozens of colors—from classic brights to neons, pastels, and even glow‑in‑the‑dark shades—giving creators an unlimited palette to bring their visions to life. Complementing the beads are our durable, reusable pegboards in shapes ranging from squares and circles to hearts and stars, plus ironing paper that makes fusing safe and simple. For beginners, we offer project kits featuring beloved characters—from Disney Princesses to Squishmallows—complete with patterns and easy‑to‑follow instructions. And for those who dream big, our large interlocking pegboards can hold over 3,000 beads, making larger‑than‑life creations possible.
But we are more than just beads. We are builders of fine motor skills and hand‑eye coordination. Teachers use our kits in classrooms to help young learners develop focus and dexterity. Therapists have long recognized the soothing, meditative nature of placing beads one by one—a quiet antidote to a noisy world. And while we started as a children’s activity, our community has grown far beyond that. Today, teenagers and adults have discovered the pixel‑perfect charm of Perler art. From photorealistic portraits of cultural icons to tributes to beloved video game characters and superheroes, our beads have become a canvas for a whole new generation of makers. Online forums, fan sites, and social media platforms buzz with millions of shared creations, proving that this craft has become a universal language of creativity.
Every year on August 8, we celebrate National Perler Day—a holiday launched by our own community of crafters to honor the joy of making something with your own hands. It is a day for families to gather around the table, for friends to swap patterns, and for everyone to rediscover the simple pleasure of turning a pile of colorful plastic beads into something uniquely their own. Creativity has no age limit, and neither do we. Whether you are three or one hundred and three, you are always welcome at our table. So grab a pegboard, pour out a rainbow of beads, and start creating. We cannot wait to see what you make next.