- Crafts
by Anna Harpe
May 7, 2025
Learn how to use decoden clay cream to craft up a sweet gift for Mother’s Day. This is a fun craft that kids and moms can work on together.
Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate all the love, care, and magic that moms (and grandmas, aunties, and bonus moms!) bring into our lives. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, hands-on project that kids can make and moms will truly cherish, we’ve got just the thing: an adorable custom photo frame decorated with decoden clay cream!
We had so much fun “frosting” these frames that we’re busy dreaming up what else we could create with this totally unique art supply!
What is Decoden? Decoden is a Japanese crafting trend that has taken the DIY world by storm. Originally short for “deco denwa” (meaning “decorated phone”), decoden involves using whipped cream-like clay and colorful embellishments to cover everyday items with playful, over-the-top designs.
Think pastel cupcakes, glittering rhinestones, adorable charms, and candy-colored gems, all “piped” onto a surface like frosting on a cake. The result is deliciously extra, and totally customizable!
For Mother’s Day, we’re swapping phone cases for photo frames to create a meaningful keepsake that’s bursting with personality and love.
How to Make a Decoden Frame for Mother’s Day
MATERIALS
- Decoden clay cream
- Plain picture frame
- Embellishments
- A favorite photo
- Toothpicks or skewers
- Paper towels or baby wipes
- Kraft paper for covering your work surface
- Paper plates for practicing
- Acrylic paint or markers (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cover your work surface
Just like piping with frosting, decoden can get a bit messy! Covering your surface with paper before starting will make cleanup a breeze.
- Prep the frame
If you’d like to paint or color the frame before adding clay, go for it! Soft pastels, metallics, or even a rainbow base coat can add extra personality. Make sure to let any paint dry fully before moving on.
- Practice piping
If it’s your first time using decoden cream, practice a few swirls and dollops on a paper plate. It behaves just like real frosting, so kids will have a blast pretending they’re decorating cupcakes!
- Apply the clay cream
Now for the fun part! Pipe the cream around the edges of the frame in swirls, zigzags, or whatever design you like. You can go all the way around or just focus on the corners- there’s no wrong way to do it!
TIP: Set your frame on a sturdy paper plate (or a tray covered in foil) before piping the clay. This will make transporting your frame piled with “frosting” much easier!
- Decorate!
While the cream is still soft, gently press your decorations into the clay. Use a mix of textures, colors, and shapes to make the design pop. You can go with a theme (like sweets, flowers, or hearts), or make it a wild celebration of everything Mom loves.
Want to make it extra special? Add alphabet beads to spell out “MOM,” “LOVE YOU,” or the child’s name and date.
- Let dry
Most decoden clay will fully air dry in 24–48 hours, depending on how thickly it’s applied. Set the frame somewhere safe where it won’t be bumped.
- Add a personal touch
Once the clay is totally dry, open the back and insert something special. A picture of the child and their mom, a drawing, or a poem are all wonderful options.
Wrap the finished frame in tissue paper and tuck it into a small gift bag, or tie it with a bow and include a homemade card. For an extra-sweet touch, you could even place your frosted frame in a bakery box! Don’t forget to write the date on the back; it’s a keepsake that’s sure to be treasured for many years to come.
More Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Kids
- 30 Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids
- 15 Preschool Mother’s Day Crafts
- 10 Mother’s Day Craft Ideas
- How to Paint Mother’s Day Portraits for Mom
- How to Make a Clay Pinch Pot Keepsake for Mom
- 40 Handmade Gift Ideas that Kids Can Make
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Anna Harpe
Anna is a lifelong Midwesterner who spent time as a barista, teacher, bookstagrammer, and party planner before landing at The Artful Parent. Now she spends her days well-caffeinated, parenting two crafty kids and planning the best creative activities to share with families like yours. You can hear from her twice a week when you sign up for The Artful Parent newsletter.
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