TURTLE Decoden DIY Experience at Somerset, Marina Square, The Cathay

Decoden turns a plain accessory into a sweet, highly personal creation. At Turtle in Singapore, you pick a base item, choose from more than 2,000 charms and design options, then pipe colored cream onto it and build your own arrangement. The result can be a keepsake for you or a handmade gift.

I like two things here: the freedom to make your own design, and the sheer choice of charms and cream colors, which gives you room to make something quite different from the next person’s. The two-hour session also leaves time to plan, decorate, and tweak your design instead of rushing through a quick craft.

The trade-off is that this is self-guided, not a fully taught workshop. Staff can offer light instructions and help when available, but you should be ready to work things out yourself, especially during busy periods.

At a glance

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• More than 2,000 choices: Pick from a large range of charms, accessories, designs, and Decoden cream colors.
• Several objects to decorate: Options include a handheld mirror, table mirror, phone case, phone stand, storage box, and piggy bank.
• Two hours at the craft table: The session is designed for you to make your piece at your own pace.
• The handheld mirror package is specific: It includes one mirror, two portions of Decoden cream, and two 60 ml cups of charms.
• Help is light, not constant: Staff can assist, but the activity is self-guided and the shops may be busy.
• A good shared activity: It works for friends, family, and children with adult supervision when needed.

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Choose your object before you start

The main decision is what you want to decorate. A handheld mirror is the lowest-priced option shown, while larger items such as a table mirror, acrylic storage box, or piggy bank cost more. There are also phone cases and acrylic phone stands, so you can choose between something practical and something made mostly for display.

The handheld mirror package is listed from US$23.49. Other listed options start from US$27.39 for a phone case or acrylic phone stand, and US$35.25 for a table mirror, piggy bank, or acrylic storage box. The overall experience is advertised from $25.85, so check the selected item and final price at booking rather than assuming every object costs the same.

Size matters. A handheld mirror may be smaller than you picture from a screen, while the table mirror gives you a larger surface for a fuller design. If you want a piece that feels more substantial, consider the upgrade before you book. If you are going with a child, a smaller base can also be easier to finish within the session.

The package details provided for the handheld mirror include one mirror, two portions of Decoden cream, and two 60 ml measuring cups of charms. Package details are fixed, and you cannot change the included items. The contents for other options may differ, so check the selected package carefully.

Find your Turtle branch

The activity is available at several Singapore locations: Turtle Singapore at Marina Square, Gift.ed by Turtle at 313@somerset, and a branch at JEM. The Marina Square meeting point is 6 Raffles Blvd, #03-100, Singapore 039594. The Somerset branch is at 313 Orchard Road, B1-07, and the JEM branch is at 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #04-38.

The branches are not interchangeable for meeting purposes. Check the address on your voucher before setting out, especially if you have chosen a particular shopping center. The activity details also describe Marina Square as the meeting point, so make sure the branch selected at booking matches the one you plan to visit.

One useful distinction: the Marina Square shop is described as larger by someone who has visited it, but that is not a formal guarantee of what will be available on your visit. If you are drawn by the broad range of craft activities and supplies, it may be worth checking which branch suits your plans and confirming the location before you go.

What happens during the two-hour session

First, choose the item you are going to decorate. Then browse the charms, cream colors, and design pieces. With more than 2,000 options, the selection is part of the activity, but it can also eat into your making time. If you are going with a friend or child, it helps to have a rough idea of the object and style you want before the session begins.

Next comes the creative part: applying the Decoden cream and arranging charms on your chosen item. You decide how busy or simple the finished design should be. There is no fixed model you must copy, which suits people who like making their own choices. The flip side is that anyone hoping for a close, step-by-step demonstration may find the format too hands-off.

The session lasts two hours. That is a useful amount of time for browsing, decorating, and making adjustments, but a large choice of decorations can make the clock move quickly. Some people may want to continue longer, so try to leave enough time for the actual decorating rather than spending the whole visit comparing charms.

For the handheld mirror, one useful finishing tip is to allow for drying time. A customer described blow-drying the decoration for about 10 minutes before staff helped pack it, noting that the cream was not fully dry. Treat the finished piece with care on the way home, since it may still need time to set.

A creative session, not a guided class

Turtle sets the activity up as self-guided. Staff provide light instructions and assist as best they can, but you should not count on having one person beside you throughout. This is the most important point to understand before booking, and it shapes who will get the most from the session.

If you are comfortable experimenting, the format can be a plus. You can choose your own layout, ask for help with specific questions, and spend your time on the details you care about. One person who decorated a phone stand found it straightforward to work independently, while others appreciated staff help when they needed a tool or had a question.

If you are bringing a child, plan to stay involved. A parent found that an adult should supervise younger makers, while older children may be able to manage more of the work themselves. The activity has no age limit and the same price applies to all ages, so the decision is less about a formal age rule and more about the child’s patience and comfort with a self-directed craft.

There have also been occasions when staff were busy with several tasks and help was hard to find. That does not mean you will have no support, but it is wise to arrive expecting a craft table with occasional assistance, not a dedicated instructor. If you want a structured lesson with frequent demonstrations, this may not be the right fit.

What makes the price worthwhile

The value comes from the making time and the chance to create a one-off item, rather than from an instructor-led lesson. You are paying for a base object, cream, charms, and access to a large selection of decorative materials over a two-hour session. For a child’s birthday outing, a friend date, or a handmade present, that can be a satisfying use of an afternoon.

It may feel expensive if you compare it with buying a finished mirror or accessory. It is also less appealing if you expect personal instruction throughout. On the other hand, the open-ended design and broad choice of materials are the point: you are not simply assembling a preset kit with one fixed result.

The price varies by object, and the activity is charged at the same rate for all ages. If you are booking for a group, total the cost before committing. A group of up to 20 participants is allowed, but the self-guided format means a larger party should be prepared to work at its own pace and ask for help as needed.

Who will enjoy making Decoden

This is a natural fit for friends who enjoy craft projects and want a shared activity with a personal result. You can each choose a different object or take the same base item in very different directions. The range of charms makes it easy to linger over ideas, so it suits people who enjoy choosing details as much as making the finished piece.

Families can make it work, too. Children have no age restriction, but younger ones may need an adult nearby to supervise and help with the process. The two-hour session gives you time to enjoy the activity without turning it into a full-day commitment, though younger children may need a little help deciding what to make and keeping their design manageable.

It is also a good choice if you want to bring home a personal souvenir rather than another shop-bought trinket. A mirror or phone stand can be used after the session, while a storage box or piggy bank gives you a larger surface to decorate. Just remember that the finished object is handmade, so the charm of it lies partly in its individual look.

I would be more cautious about booking if you need detailed instruction, want a quiet one-to-one lesson, or have a strict deadline. Staff may be occupied, and the activity gives you considerable freedom. That independence is rewarding for some people and frustrating for others.

Practical details to check before you go

The listed opening hours are Monday through Sunday, 10:30 to 22:30, with last admission at 20:00. The session itself lasts two hours, so the last admission time matters if you hope to use the full allotted period. Confirm your chosen branch and voucher time before leaving.

You can show your mobile voucher at the activity. Confirmation is usually issued within minutes; if it does not arrive, contact customer support. The voucher is valid only on the date specified, and changes are generally allowed up to 24 hours before the activity starts, with some booking types excluded.

Cancellation is eligible for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on local time. Personal expenses and tips are not included. If your booking was made with a pass, a cultural points program, or came with a free item, check the change restrictions before relying on the usual adjustment window.

Should you book the Turtle Decoden DIY?

Book it if you like hands-on crafts, enjoy choosing your own design, and are happy to work with limited instruction. The large selection, two-hour format, and choice of useful objects make it a flexible activity for friends and families. I would choose the item with its size and final price in mind, then give yourself enough time to decorate rather than browsing every charm in the shop.

Skip it if you expect a guided workshop with an instructor at your elbow. The self-directed setup is central to the experience, and staff availability can vary. For an independent maker, that freedom is part of the appeal; for someone who wants close support, it may be the wrong craft session.

FAQ

How long is the Decoden DIY session?

The session lasts two hours.

Which items can I decorate?

Options include a handheld mirror, table mirror, phone case, acrylic phone stand, piggy bank, and acrylic storage box.

What is included in the handheld mirror package?

It includes one handheld mirror, two portions of Decoden cream, and two 60 ml measuring cups of charms.

Is the activity guided?

The activity is self-guided. Staff provide light instructions and help as best they can, but they may not be available throughout the session.

Is there an age limit?

No. The activity has no age limit, and the same price applies to all ages.

Where are the Singapore branches?

The listed branches are at Marina Square, 313@somerset, and JEM. The Marina Square address is 6 Raffles Blvd, #03-100, Singapore 039594.