fuse beads are a type of bead that is cylindrical in shape where as the pony bead is more rounded. Fuse Beads are just that; they melt and fuse together. You use a iron to fuse them together. I prefer fuse beads to make "solo" designs ie: magnets, key chains, thumbtacks, headbands, coasters, necklaces.... because you get a smaller picture with more detail than you get with pony beads. Also they are much more affordable than pony beads and take up less room for storage. I use pony beads for cuffs and bigger things such as backpacks. I have special tips to fuse them which i will be loading on a tips and tricks tutorial on youtube within the week under this user name. until then if you are beginning don't start with complex designs. Use ones like this which is more straight forward and basic.