Young visitors to the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair explore Japanese-inspired crafting, transforming book-shaped jewellery boxes into colourful keepsakes
Sharjah, November 8, 2026
A splash of colour, a swirl of decorative cream and a handful of miniature charms were all it took to turn a simple jewellery box into a colourful keepsake. During the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), young visitors got creative during a workshop titled ‘Decoden Book Jewellery Box’.
Seated around tables scattered with pastel-coloured boxes, tiny charms and craft supplies, children tried their hand at decoden, a Japanese crafting style that uses whipped-cream-like clay, rhinestones, pearls and three-dimensional decorations to give everyday objects a playful makeover.
The young participants became designers of their own book-shaped jewellery boxes, picking from a colourful assortment of miniature figures, sparkling embellishments and decorative accessories to create pieces that suited their tastes.
With tubes of decorative cream and cotton buds in hand, the children carefully arranged their chosen charms, mixing colours, shapes and textures to bring their designs to life. Some covered their boxes with an abundance of tiny decorations, while others kept things simple, giving pride of place to their favourite miniature characters.
As they squeezed, shaped and arranged their decorations, the children put their imagination and fine motor skills to work, learning that a little patience could make all the difference when placing those tiny finishing touches.
The workshop offered a playful break from digital screens, giving young visitors the chance to experiment with colours and materials while enjoying the satisfaction of making something entirely their own.
By the end of the session, each child had a one-of-a-kind jewellery box to take home, ready to hold small treasures and serve as a cheerful reminder of a creative day at SIBF 2026.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
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