I heard that the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi, was supposed to take place with Wookiees on their planet Kashyyyk, and not with Ewoks on the Forest Moon of Endor.  Personally, I have to say that does seem like a better idea, considering how divisive the Ewoks are. And everyone loves a Wookiee!

Wookieepedia mentions that once it was clear that the Wookiees were technologically advanced, Lucas added the Ewoks (who where much more close to nature and technologically primitive), as the foils of the final battle.  Also, since Lucas always wanted these to be family films, I am wondering if maybe he didn’t partially invent the Ewoks in order to have some characters for the younger audience to relate to (like Jarjar in the prequels)…and hey, they are pretty darn cute, and very crafty.

Speaking of crafty, it is time for #12 in the Perler bead/cross-stitch/Lego/pixel/mosaic series.

Needed:

• Perler Beads
• Tweezers (optional)
• Perler Clear Pegboards
• Removable Tape
• Printout of Pattern (download above image)
• Iron
• Baking Parchment Paper (Perler Ironing Paper)
• Heavy Object with Flat Bottom
• Cork sheets with Adhesive Backs
• Scissors or X-acto Knife
• Glass
• Bantha Milk (optional)

How To:

• Download and print out the pattern provided (mirror it, if you only plan on ironing on only 1 side).
• Cut out, then tape pattern to the back of the Perler Pegboard so the dots line up with the pegs.
• Add the Perler beads (tweezers are pretty handy if you don’t have a 6 yr old’s tiny fingers).
• Carefully move pegboard to ironing board, place parchment (or Perler ironing paper) on top.
• Iron until the beads start melting together (If you have never done this before, it might take some practice to get it “just right”).
• Let cool for a bit, remove from Perler Pegboard and remove paper.
• Optional: turn over, cover with parchment paper and iron on other side. (put something solid and heatproof underneath to make ironing easier)
• If you only iron on 1 side, place it under something flat and heavy while it cools, to avoid curving.
• Cut cork about 1/4” smaller than the square, affix to the back.
• Don’t forget the Bantha milk. Enjoy!

Tips:

Usually people iron on both sides of the Perler bead design, but I prefer to only do the back. The designs look crisper and more “pixely”.  With the cork on the back, I have not had any problems with the coasters falling apart, but feel free to iron yours on both sides.

Note, if you only plan on iron on only 1 side, you need to mirror the pattern.

Also, the coasters are pretty hard to clean, so try not to get anything too gunky in there.

Get Supplies:

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Black
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-White
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Kiwi Lime
Perler Beads 1,00 Count-Sand
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Tan
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Light Brown
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Brown

Perler Beads Clear Square Pegboards 4 Pack
Perler Fun Fusion Ironing Paper 6/Pkg-
Darice Adhesive Backed Cork Tiles   (This is a bit thicker than what I used, but I can’t find the same kind I got)

Note:

Feel free to use these patterns for any personal use – but please do not sell items made with them. Also, feel free to link to this blog so others can download the pattern, but do not download and then re-upload in order to offer them as downloads on your own site/blog. THANKS!

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