Decoden art is a fun, beginner-friendly way to decorate phone cases, mirrors, and more using faux whipped cream and cute charms. This guide will help you get started step by step.
What Is Decoden Art, Anyway?
Decoden is a fun, over-the-top Japanese craft that combines “decoration” + “denwa” (Japanese for phone). It started with adorning phone cases using fake whipped cream and charms, but it’s evolved way beyond that.
Today, people Decoden everything such as mirrors, jewelry boxes, switch covers, even handheld gaming consoles. The idea is simple: take something plain, pipe on some faux “frosting,” and pile on decorations that reflect your vibe. Cute, sparkly, chaotic. There’s no wrong way to do it.
What You’ll Need to Get Started (Supplies Checklist)
You don’t need fancy tools to Decoden, just a few basics and a little imagination.
Core supplies:
- A flat-surfaced item (phone case, compact mirror, etc.)
- Silicone “whip” (either 100% silicone caulk, cream clay, or lightweight spackle)
- Piping bag + star tip (or ziplock as a backup)
- Resin cabochons and charms (think sweets, bows, stars, or your favorite characters)
- Tweezers or a toothpick for precision placement
Optional but useful:
- Strong glue (for heavy pieces)
- Glitter or pigment for sparkle
- UV resin or gloss spray if you want to seal it
- Paper towels and gloves (things can get sticky)
Choosing the Right Base
Hard plastic works best, especially for first-timers. Avoid soft silicone or flexible rubber phone cases, the cream doesn’t stick well, and your charms may pop off later.
Other great base ideas:
- Compact mirrors
- Wooden jewelry boxes
- Light switch covers
- Clear acrylic frames
Stick to flat or gently curved items and keep them small while you’re learning. A lighter base color also helps your “frosting” and decorations pop.
Picking a Theme (So You Don’t Get Overwhelmed)
It helps to pick a vibe before you start. Trust me, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of charms.
Some beginner-friendly ideas:
- Sweet Treats – donuts, strawberries, whipped cream swirls
- Kawaii Characters – Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma, Sanrio friends
- Sparklecore – rhinestones, pearls, iridescent cabochons
- Nature Inspired – mushrooms, leaves, pastel flowers
- Your Own Fandom – anime, retro games, celestial vibes
Lay your larger pieces out on your base before piping. It’ll save you the stress of running out of space mid-design.
Let’s Make Some Whip! (Prep First)
Clean your base with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Make sure it’s dry.
If you’re using silicone caulk:
- Load it into a piping bag (use gloves!)
- Add a drop of acrylic paint if you want to tint it
- Squeeze and test on a paper towel to get the hang of it
Cream clay or lightweight spackle works the same way — soft, spreadable, and easy to pipe. Use a star tip if you want that bakery-style look.
Step-by-Step: How to Decoden Your First Piece
1. Pipe the “Whipped Cream”
Start by piping a border along the outer edge of your item. Then fill in the center, making star-shaped dollops or swirls. The goal is to create a pillowy base to press your charms into, about ¼ inch thick.
Work in sections if it’s a large item. Don’t try to cover the whole thing at once.
2. Place Your Charms
While the whip is still wet, press your larger charms in first. Then fill the gaps with smaller ones like hearts, pearls, or rhinestones.
Use tweezers or a toothpick for small pieces, way easier than fumbling with your fingers.
Aim for balance, not perfection. As long as everything looks cute and stays on, you’re doing it right.
3. Optional Sparkle
If you want extra magic, now’s the time to dust on glitter or mica powder. Just don’t overdo it, too much can dull the frosting effect.
4. Let It Dry
Leave your piece undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Silicone will feel dry to the touch within a few hours, but it takes time to cure underneath.
Don’t move or poke it, even if it’s tempting. Let the magic set.
5. (Optional) Seal It
This step is totally up to you.
When to seal:
- You used loose glitter
- It’ll be handled a lot (like on a phone case)
- You want a glossy finish
When to skip it:
- You want rhinestones to stay sparkly
- Your whip already looks good matte
- You’re happy with how it turned out
Use clear gloss spray or UV resin if you do want to seal. Test first on a scrap piece — not all sealers play nice with every charm.
Quick Fixes & Common Mistakes
Don’t panic if:
- A charm goes on crooked — remove it fast and re-pipe that spot
- Your whip clogs — squeeze slower or snip the piping bag slightly
- Your piece looks “too busy” — Decoden is supposed to be extra
Avoid these rookie moves:
- Using acrylic caulk (it cracks!)
- Decorating on a bendy phone case
- Not pressing charms in deep enough
- Rushing the dry time
Final Thoughts (and Where to Go Next)
That’s it! You’ve officially joined the Decoden club.
Whether it’s your first piece or your fiftieth, remember: this is about play, not perfection. Each case, mirror, or jewelry box you decorate becomes a little reflection of your personality — sweet, chaotic, sparkly, or soft.
Want to try it with friends? Or need a little in-person guidance?
Join us at a Tufted With Love workshop in Vancouver, everything’s supplied, and clean-up’s on us!
Now go grab that piping bag and create something outrageously cute. 💖
