What is Pixelhobby? A Beginner's Guide

If you've never heard of Pixelhobby, you're not alone. But, once you give it a try, you might love it as much as we do!

How it Works

Like diamond painting, Pixelhobby is a bit of a hybrid of more traditional crafts.  As with paint by numbers and cross stitch, you are working with a pattern that tells you exactly where everything goes. But, instead of paint or stitching, you're placing tiny coloured pixel onto a baseplate, one at a time, to build up the design.

The baseplates have pins - you push the pixel onto a pin and it essentially clicks into place - you don't need any glue or heat to keep them in place (and any mistakes can be rectified easily). 

The pattern chart mirrors the number of pins on the baseplate, with every pixel coloured or coded according to the colour you need. Even the largest designs are created one baseplate at a time, so you never need a large working space or to get overwhelmed by the size of the project. 

It's surprisingly satisfying to see a picture slowly emerge!

Why we love it

• Pixelhobby is genuinely relaxing. It's repetitive in the best way: much like diamond painting, once you get started, you'll find a rhythm - and your mind gets that little bit quieter. 
• You don't need to be "crafty." You can create colourful artwork, without needing to design it yourself or mastering a technique. It's more about the mindfulness in making, and the sense of achievement in creating something lovely. 
• The visually satisfying progress. Unlike some crafts where you can't tell what you're making until it's nearly done, Pixelhobby pictures take shape gradually and visibly from the first few rows. It's quite incredible how a couple of pixels suddenly become a cloud!
• It's incredibly customisable. Pixelhobby's official design app system allows you to  create patterns from almost any image, including your own photos. And, if you find following a pattern a bit restrictive, you can buy everything individually so you can create your own designs.
• There is lots of inspiration. In addition to the kits we sell, Pixelhobby offer lots of patterns for free. For even more ideas, you can purchase pattern booklets or check out Pixelhobby's online pattern brochure - we can purchase a single-use license for  the 1000+ designs contained within!

Who it's for

• Complete beginners who've never tried a craft kit before
• Diamond painting fans looking for something new 
• Anyone who finds repetitive, hands-on tasks calming
• Gift-buyers looking for something a bit different
• Adults and children looking for some screen-free fun. There are two sizes of pixels available (Pixel Classic and Pixel XL). Pixel XL is suitable for children aged 6+ (but we do them too!)

PixelHobby in Lincoln

Happy Little Hoglet is your Lincoln-based stockist :) In addition to kits, we stock all of the Pixelhobby Pixel Classic and Pixel XL colours, plus baseplates and accessories to create your own designs.

Try Pixelhobby Before You Buy in Lincoln

Want to see how this completely mess-free craft works before picking up a kit? We have a hands-on "Try-Me" demonstration station set up right on our counter at the Lincoln Cornhill Market! 

Pop past our pitch from Wednesday to Sunday, grab a pair of craft tweezers, and press a few pixels yourself to feel how satisfyingly they snap into place. It is the perfect, stress-free way to test out both Pixel Classic and Pixel XL kits before taking one home.

Where to find us: Happy Little Hoglet, Lincoln Cornhill Market, Sincil Street, Lincoln, LN5 7ET

FAQs:

What is included in a Pixelhobby kit?

A standard kit includes everything you need to complete the design on the packaging. This will include the baseplate(s), a pattern, and all of the pixel squares (the colours) needed to complete the design.

Do you need tools for Pixelhobby?

Pixelhobby can be completed by hand, with no tools needed. But, as with a lot of crafts, it depends on your personal preference. While most people won't use tools for the larger Pixel XL tiles, many customers prefer to use tweezers when handing the Pixel Classic tiles. Angela, for example, completes all projects by hand. Martin uses the angled tweezers for the whole process, and the youngest member of the family prefers to use the tweezers to remove pixels from the sprue but then to place the pixels onto the baseplate by hand or by using a diamond art stylus. 

Do I need adhesives or heat?

No. Pixelhobby does not require glue, water, or ironing. The pixels are specifically engineered to "click into place" onto the baseplate pins and will not fall off once pressed down. It's surprisingly satisfying! 

What is the difference between Pixel XL and Pixel Classic?

Pixel Classic is the original mini mosaic pixel size, and they measure 2.5mm x 2.5mm. They can be used with the small baseplates, the rectangular 40x50 pixel baseplates and medallions.

In comparison, the Pixel XL pixels measure 5mm x 5mm. At four times the size of the Classic, they're perfect for for younger children or those needing a more accessible option than the Pixel classic - although we love making designs in the Pixel XL, too. They can't be used to fill a medallion, but are suitable for use with the small baseplates, the rectangular 40x50 pixel baseplates (they will fit 20x25 Pixel XL) and the flexible baseplate. 

Can I fix it if I make a mistake?

Yes, you can easily remove a misplaced pixel by using a pair of craft tweezers to gently pry it upward off the pin, then replace it with the correct colour  - or place it in the right spot. You can use your nails but the smaller pixels can sometimes get scuffed. 

Can I make my own designs?

Yes! We stock all of the Pixel Classic and Pixel XL colours, plus baseplates and accessories needed to create a design from scratch. You can either select your materials online or instore and experiment, or you can also use Pixelhobby's Designer app to turn your own image into a pixel pattern, or create your own design. Once complete, the design can be printed; it will list all of the components you need to bring it to fruition - just let us know what you need (we may need to order some extras on your behalf). 

If you'd like help with a custom project, contact us at hello@happylittlehoglet.co.uk, or visit our craft stall within Lincoln Cornhill Market.