Silver working is one of Bali's signature crafts, centred on the villages of Celuk and the surrounding hills of Gianyar, and a hands-on class is the best way to understand why a hand-made piece looks and feels so different from the shop-bought version. This class takes place at a workshop in Taro, in the Tegallalang area, about thirty minutes from central Ubud, and lasts about three hours. You begin by designing your piece with an experienced instructor, then learn the basic techniques of cutting, shaping, soldering, hammering and polishing silver, and finish by taking home what you have made. The price includes a welcome drink, seven grams of silver, and the guidance of a local expert, and if your silver allows, you can make more than one piece. Visitors typically make rings, pendants, bangles or earrings, and the instructors are used to complete beginners, so no experience is needed. Additional silver and gemstones cost extra if you want a bigger or more elaborate piece. Classes are limited to twenty travellers, so the atmosphere is workshop rather than factory, and the pace is relaxed. It is a good activity for a rainy day, for couples who want a shared souvenir and for families with older children who can use small tools safely. The rural setting is peaceful, and the workshop provides bug spray because mosquitoes can be active. The class is not wheelchair accessible, and it is not recommended for travellers with back problems, heart problems or other serious medical conditions, or for pregnant travellers. Declare dietary requirements when you book if refreshments matter to you. Pick-up from outside Ubud is available for an extra fee, so check the transfer options for your hotel area at booking.
What you make
The usual choices are simple rings, pendants, bangles and earrings, and the instructor will guide you toward a design that suits your skill level and the amount of silver included. Seven grams is enough for a modest ring and a small pendant, or a single more substantial piece. Many students sketch a design in advance, but it is fine to arrive with no plan and choose after seeing examples. The result is genuinely yours: you hammer, saw, file and polish it yourself, with the instructor correcting technique and finishing details.
Planning around it
The workshop is in Taro, a rural area known for its sacred white cows and a temple, north of Ubud. A morning class leaves the afternoon free for the Tegallalang terraces or the Tirta Empul water temple, which are both close, and an afternoon class pairs well with sunset at a rice-terrace cafe.
Transfers from other areas, such as Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran or Sanur, are possible for an extra fee, so compare that cost with hiring a driver for the day. Free cancellation rules apply up to a day before, in most cases.
Practical advice
Wear comfortable clothes you do not mind marking with polish, tie back long hair, and avoid loose sleeves around tools. Bring a small bag for your finished piece, and ask staff about gift boxes if you are buying a present. If you want to extend your craft day, the silver and gold shops of Celuk are on the road between Ubud and the south, and the wood-carving village of Mas is close. Prices of extra silver and stones are reasonable.
What to expect
The experience
A hands-on workshop where you design and make your own silver jewellery with an instructor, using seven grams of silver, in a small group of up to twenty.
Best time
Morning or afternoon; mornings leave time for the Tegallalang terraces and Tirta Empul nearby.
How long
About three hours, with a shorter option at some times.
Tips
Wear comfortable clothes, tie back long hair, arrive with a rough design in mind and ask about extra silver or gemstones if you want a larger piece.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Craft lovers, couples and families with older children who want a made-by-you souvenir.
- Families
- Suitable for older children who can handle small tools carefully.
- Couples
- A shared project that produces matching rings or pendants.
- Pair with
- Tegallalang rice terraces or Tirta Empul water temple.
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel.
Good questions
How long is the silver class?+
About three hours. Some visitors take a shorter option with a smaller amount of silver, so check what applies when you book.
What is included?+
A welcome drink, seven grams of silver and an experienced instructor. Extra silver and gemstones cost more.
Do I need experience?+
No. The instructor guides complete beginners through each step from design to polishing.
Where is the class held?+
At a workshop in Taro, in the Tegallalang area, about thirty minutes from central Ubud.
Can I get a transfer from my hotel?+
Pick-up is available for an extra fee, especially from outside Ubud. Check the transfer options for your hotel area when you book.
