Step 1
BEAD COLORS NEEDED:
Light Pink - 35
Bubblegum - 129
Raspberry - 135
Hot Coral - 65
Red - 185
Cranapple - 79
Cheddar - 48
Orange - 121
Butterscotch - 29
Pastel Yellow - 38
Yellow - 100
Prickly Pear - 21
Green - 135
Dark Green - 297
Evergreen - 187
Toothpaste - 9
Pastel Blue - 9
Blueberry Cream - 70
Periwinkle Blue - 184
Dark Blue - 637
Tan - 81
Light Brown - 211
Brown - 197
Grey - 12
Dark Grey - 112
Black - 456
White - 81

YOU WILL ALSO NEED:
6 Large square pegboards
Iron and ironing paper
Tweezers
Clear tape and scissors
Two 20" x 14" pieces of heavy cardboard
12" x 16" mounted canvas
Acrylic paint and brush
Masking tape (optional)
Glue gun
1/8" thick foam tape

See the Supply List for beads and tools you can purchase.

Step 2
CREATING THE DESIGN:
Download the PDF for the Tropical Reef Project Pattern. Assemble the large square pegboards as shown to create your project, placing them on one of the large pieces of cardboard on a heat-safe surface that you can later use for fusing. Cut out and tape together the pattern sections. If you are using clear pegboards, slide the actual-size pattern underneath them. Place your beads following the pattern.

Step 3
FUSING THE DESIGN: An adult should do this step.
For this project, we recommend our Tape Method for Fusing Large Projects (you can find it here on Perler.com under Projects & Inspiration). If you are more comfortable with our standard fusing instructions, please continue below.

Be sure you have placed one of the large cardboard pieces underneath the pegboards. Set a household iron to the medium setting. Place ironing paper over the design. In a circular motion, begin to iron the project. When ironed properly, the beads will still have open centers. NOTE: Beads need heat for about 10-20 seconds per side to fuse evenly, it is possible some colors may need a little more time. Let the design cool.

Remove the paper from the bead design. Place the second large piece of cardboard on top so the design is sandwiched between the two cardboard pieces. Flip the design over and remove the pegboards to expose the non-fused side. Repeat the fusing. Let cool completely. When the design is cool, peel off the ironing paper. Your pegboards and ironing paper are reusable.

Step 4
ASSEMBLY:
Paint your canvas and allow to dry.

Adults only should use the glue gun. As you layer and glue your pieces to the canvas, use foam tape to provide some lift and support under the pieces as desired, you can stack pieces of foam tape to the height you want. Attach the pieces to the painted canvas in the following order:

Coral/Water: align at bottom of canvas

Seaweed: position at far right and align bottom with top of Coral/Water

Sand: align at bottom of canvas over Coral/Water and Seaweed

Crab: position at far right over Sand

Clownfish, Blue Tang and Angelfish: position as desired and add foam tape underneath for dimension

Bubbles: position where desired