DIY Decoden Photo Frame: A Creative Way to Celebrate Your Sister’s Birthday

a picture frame with a bunch of buttons on it

Sometimes, life can be pretty mundane; I was looking for a fun and creative way to unwind. I wanted to make my sister’s birthday special this year, so I surprised her with something unique and imaginative: a two-hour

Decoden photo frame workshop at CraftBeast Handmade on Beach Rd.

there is a neon sign on the wall craft beast

The workshop costs $35.00 per person, but you can get a discount on Klook. It was a perfect choice and a memorable and enjoyable experience for both of us!

Decoden is a decorative art form from Japan that involves adorning items like phone cases, photo frames or every day or just like a brush with charms, rhinestones, and beads to create delightful, one-of-a-kind designs. The workshop was a perfect choice and was a memorable and enjoyable experience for both of us!


What We Liked About the Decoden Photo Frame Workshop

The workshop was such a delightful experience that I couldn’t help but gush about what we loved. The standout feature was the variety of charms. There were endless options, from cute rabbits to miniature cupcakes, so we were spoiled for choice.

What made it even more exciting was that we could use as many charms as we wanted. With no restrictions on creativity, my sister and I got utterly lost in decorating, blending pastels, bold colours, and all things kawaii into our designs.

The freedom to create unique designs was genuinely inspiring. No matter your style, there’s something for everyone in this workshop. Premium charms and glue were optional add-ons for those who wanted to add a bit of extra flair to their creations.


My sister and I decided to stick with the free charms. They are all of good quality and intricately designed, and they added an extra sparkle to our frames, giving them that final polished look.

a room filled with lots of different colored furniture


What I appreciated most was how beginner-friendly the entire activity was. Neither my sister nor I had any previous experience with Decoden, but the workshop guide was fantastic. She can speak Chinese and English, and her instructions were clear and easy to follow.

We quickly discovered that working with the Decoden piping was trickier than it seemed. Our first attempts looked more like clumps of glue than the beautiful, intricate designs our guide created with such ease, haha!

a piece of paper that is on a table

However, with some practice and patience, we eventually got the hang of it and made a simple yet charming design. It’s also an excellent activity for children, as they can freely experiment and let their creativity flow while having a blast, even if the first few tries don’t go as planned!

But we eventually got the hang of it with some practice and patience. We created a simple yet charming design of our own.


Step by step, we saw our ideas come to life, and by the end of the session, our creation had baked in just 5 minutes. We were brimming with pride at our creations. It felt so satisfying to start with a blank frame and walk away with something personal and beautiful, a true testament to our creativity and the guidance we received. You can look forward to this sense of accomplishment in this workshop.


The workshop lasted two hours, which was the perfect amount of time. We never felt rushed and could focus on our designs without worrying about the clock.
The guide gave us ample space and time to work on our creations.

She would stop by to assist, such as showing us how to use the pipping glue correctly by squeezing from the top, giving us tips on improving the glue design, and even suggesting colour combinations. She was friendly and approachable, making the entire experience even more enjoyable.

a woman sitting at a table working on a craft project


All the materials we needed, from the frame to the decorating supplies and tweezers, were provided and were of excellent quality. This allowed us to focus on our creativity and the process, knowing we had everything we needed. The high-quality materials provided a sense of reassurance and added to the overall experience.

a Decoden Photo Frame
 with buttons on it sitting on a table


At the end of the session, we each took home our decorated photo frame, which felt like such a meaningful keepsake. All in all, this Decoden photo frame workshop turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate my sister’s birthday.

It allowed us to spend quality time together and create something beautiful we can cherish for years. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or simply looking for a creative and relaxing way to spend a few hours, I highly recommend this workshop.

It’s a fantastic activity for a birthday, a weekend outing, or even a date! This workshop is also suitable for kids with the guidance of parents, making it a fun and engaging activity for families. Children can experiment freely and let their creativity shine, even if their first few tries don’t go as planned.

It’s a great way to bond and spend time together, whether for a birthday, a weekend outing, or even a date!

two women taking a picture of themselves in a mirror

Have you ever tried Decoden crafting? I’d love to hear about your experience—share your thoughts in the comments below! Your valuable insights could inspire others to try this unique and creative activity.

CraftBeast Handmade: 345 Beach Road 02-00 199568



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