Exclusive Jewelry Master Class

Silver starts as a sketch here. In Ubud, this John Hardy master class turns Balinese silver know-how into a hands-on session, with an expert-led flow from design drawing to wax carving and link-by-link work on the Icon Chain. I really like two things: you get to try the steps yourself, and you also tour the workshop plus archive to see where the designs begin before they become jewelry.

One thing to plan for: the class price is $243.16 per person and private transportation isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget time and money for getting to the Mambal site. Also, the pathways can be slippery, so skip high heels and wear solid shoes.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Icon Chain practice, link by link so you understand why this design is so recognizable
• Design-your-own workflow with drawing, watercolor-style rendering, and wax carving steps
• Workshop and archive access that explains process before you shop
• Lunch included with time to chat in the setting where the work happens
• A gift card IDR 2,000,000 to use during the day of your class

What you’re doing at the John Hardy Workshop in Mambal

This is a hands-on jewelry master class in Ubud (Mambal area) built around John Hardy’s workshop world. You’re not just watching someone make silver. You’re working through the same kinds of steps used in Balinese-style craft: starting with design ideas, moving into carved wax, then finishing with the Icon Chain technique that many people associate with the brand.

The workshop is set up to be both practical and educational. You see artisans working, you tour the spaces where craft is stored and refined, and then you get desk-and-workbench time to try multiple parts of the process. That combination is the real value: you come away with a piece you helped create, plus a clearer picture of how the brand’s look comes from method—not magic.

I also like that the group format is described as intimate, with personalized instruction from master artisans. That matters for quality. If you’ve ever tried a DIY class and felt lost, you’ll probably appreciate that here you’re guided through each step instead of being handed tools and hoped-for inspiration.

The 10:00–14:00 rhythm: what happens during your master class

The master class runs roughly 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday. You’ll start at the John Hardy Workshop & Kapal Bamboo Boutique at Mambal (PT. Kapal Bambu Perhiasan, Jl. Raya Mambal Br. Baturning No.1, Mambal, Kec. Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352). Expect a coffee or tea welcome drink and a full half-day block where you move between learning, making, and eating.

Here’s the flow you should expect, step by step:

1) Welcome drink and workshop orientation

You begin with a drink and a quick sense of where you’ll spend your time. This isn’t a drive-through tour. The environment is part of the experience: you’re there for craft on site, not just a showroom stop. You’ll also be reminded about safety and footwear since you’ll be walking on paths that can be slippery and may include uneven or risky areas.

Tip that helps: wear shoes you’d also use for temple grounds. Even if you’re only there for four hours, your feet will thank you.

2) Artisan workshop tour: watching steps in motion

Next comes an artisan-led look at how jewelry is made. You’ll see the workshop activity and the kind of multi-step workflow that turns raw ideas into finished silver pieces. This is where you’ll start connecting what you later do at your bench with what artisans do every day.

From what I know about this craft approach, the key isn’t just the outcome. It’s the discipline: careful shaping, repeated checks, and the fact that different stages require different tools and attention. This tour is how you get that mindset before you touch materials yourself.

3) Archive tour: seeing heritage through the design process

After the workshop viewing, you’ll move into the archive tour. That’s valuable because it shifts you from thinking in single designs to thinking in systems: how motifs and techniques are maintained and reinterpreted over time.

This is also where a lot of people start understanding why John Hardy’s style feels cohesive. The craft language shows up across generations. You’re not only learning what a piece looks like—you’re learning what it’s built from.

4) Design-your-own drawing and watercolor rendering

Now you get to sit down and build a design idea. The steps listed for this class are specific: design-your-own drawing and a jewelry watercolor rendering. Even if you’re not an artist, you’re not expected to be. You’re expected to create something that fits the process.

This part is a strong lesson in constraints. Jewelry design isn’t like drawing a landscape. It has to work in metal and on a body. Seeing your concept translated through the craft stages helps you understand why certain proportions and details matter.

5) Wax design carving: turning your idea into a physical form

Next is wax design carving, which is one of the most fascinating steps because it’s so hands-on and tangible. Wax is close enough to silver in shape that you can picture the final result, but forgiving enough that you can learn the technique without needing months of practice.

This is also the stage where your brain shifts. Instead of thinking about aesthetics only, you start thinking about structure: how lines read, how thickness supports durability, and how carving choices affect what you’ll eventually wear.

6) Icon Chain weaving: link by link practice

The class includes learning Icon Chain weaving—described as weaving “link by link.” This is the part that makes people slow down and focus. Even if you’re quick, the technique requires patience and repeatable motion, because chain weaving is all about consistency.

In craft terms, this step is where you learn muscle memory for fine work. It’s not about making something flashy in five minutes. It’s about understanding how the technique holds together, and why it looks the way it does.

If you like the idea of learning a signature technique rather than just making a random pendant, you’ll likely care about this section the most.

7) Lunch and chat time

Lunch is included, and it’s served in a community setting with opportunities to talk with artisans and designers. Reviews around this experience point out that the lunch format is part of the day’s charm, including chances to ask questions and learn about the team behind the pieces.

One practical note: since your day includes hands-on work, lunch is also your reset. You’ll be ready to recharge and still keep the momentum for the next steps.

8) Gift card time: IDR 2,000,000 for same-day spending

Finally, you get an exclusive gift card IDR 2,000,000 to spend on the day of the master class. This isn’t just a perk. It changes how you approach shopping at the end.

Instead of feeling rushed to buy something you like, you can shop with context. You’ve already seen how the craft works and how the process shapes the final look. That makes your purchase decisions more grounded.

The Icon Chain weaving: why it’s the real skill test

There are workshops where you make something cute and call it a day. This one pushes you toward the brand’s most recognizable craft feature: Icon Chain weaving.

Learning it link by link gives you three useful insights:

• It’s mechanical craft, not only artistic taste. You can’t rely on luck—you rely on repeated technique.
• The look comes from consistency. If one link sits wrong, the rhythm changes.
• Time matters. Chain work rewards patience more than speed.

For most people, this is also where they feel pride. A finished ring or pendant is nice, but chain technique is harder-won. You leave understanding the effort behind something many people simply notice in a finished piece.

John Hardy + Balinese technique: what the tours add to your finished piece

Even with a hands-on class, jewelry can still feel abstract if you only do one step. That’s why the combination of workshop viewing plus archive access is so important.

You get context on how Balinese jewelry-making techniques are passed down and how multi-step production supports quality. The class also frames John Hardy’s role in the story, so you understand that the finished designs are connected to heritage methods and ongoing craftsmanship.

One more detail worth noting: the experience is associated with the use of restored silver, which adds a sustainability angle to the craft story. You may not see every sourcing detail during the class, but it’s part of the brand narrative you’ll hear around the workshop world.

When you put that together with the hands-on design, wax carving, and chain weaving, you don’t just get a souvenir. You get a better sense of how jewelry is made, why it costs what it costs, and why certain brand signatures exist.

Price and value: is $243.16 worth it?

At $243.16 per person for about four hours, this isn’t a budget activity. But value here comes from what’s included and how much you actually do.

Here’s what you’re paying for, based on the listed inclusions:

• Workshop tour + archive tour
• Instruction through multiple making stages (design drawing, watercolor rendering, wax carving, and Icon Chain weaving)
• Lunch plus a welcome coffee or tea
• Exclusive gift card IDR 2,000,000 for same-day shopping

That gift card can meaningfully offset your final cost if you’re already the type to buy one or two pieces. Even if you don’t use much of it, you’re still paying for a structured, staff-guided making experience and tours that explain the process.

The biggest “value drag” is what isn’t included: private transportation. If your Bali itinerary already includes a driver, you’re fine. If not, you’ll want to plan your ride early so the cost doesn’t sneak up on you.

Location in Ubud: Mambal, the timing, and what to wear

This class starts at the John Hardy workshop in Mambal, not right in central Ubud. It’s also described as near public transportation, which helps if you’re moving around the area without a private driver.

Start time is 10:00 AM, and the class runs 10 AM to 2 PM Monday to Friday. That timing is useful because it fits well between morning sightseeing and an afternoon dinner plan.

Wear appropriate footwear and avoid high heels. The note about slippery pathways and risky areas isn’t just legal text; it’s practical. You’ll be walking around a working workshop environment, so choose shoes with grip.

Also, think about comfort for fine work. You’ll be doing careful steps, so bring a calm mindset. This isn’t a quick photo stop.

Who should book this class (and who might skip it)

I think this master class is a good match if you:

• want a hands-on craft experience rather than a passive tour
• like the idea of learning a signature technique like Icon Chain weaving
• enjoy thoughtful shopping where you understand what you’re buying
• want a cultural craft experience that connects to a recognizable brand story

It’s probably less ideal if:

• you’re looking for a class that’s mainly about shopping or just browsing
• you’re traveling with children under 12 (not allowed) or without an adult for anyone under 18
• you have mobility concerns that make it hard to move around a workshop with slippery pathways

If you’re traveling as a group, this is also described as private for your group only, which can make the experience feel more personal and less rushed.

Tips to make your day smoother

A few practical things that can help you enjoy the full four hours:

• Arrive with time to spare so you don’t feel rushed into careful work.
• Wear comfortable, grippy shoes and skip heels due to slippery areas.
• If you’re planning to buy, think ahead about whether you’ll want to use the IDR 2,000,000 gift card the same day.
• Keep your questions ready. The workshop setting includes staff who explain the process, and lunch time can be a good moment to learn how the team works.

One tiny mindset shift: go in expecting to learn technique, not to produce a perfect first attempt. That makes the experience more rewarding, even if your design isn’t the most flawless.

Should you book the Exclusive Jewelry Master Class in Ubud?

If you want a souvenir that comes with real meaning, I’d book this. The best part is that you aren’t only watching silver craft—you’re building your design through multiple stages and then practicing Icon Chain weaving. Add the workshop and archive tours, lunch, and the same-day gift card, and the value starts to make sense.

If your day in Bali is packed and you’re mainly looking for shopping, you might prefer a simpler browsing stop. But if you like craft, process, and learning something you can explain later, this is the kind of experience that sticks.

FAQ

How long is the jewelry master class, and what time does it start?

It runs from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (about 4 hours).

Where does the experience start in Bali?

It starts at John Hardy Workshop & Kapal Bamboo Boutique at Mambal (PT. Kapal Bambu Perhiasan, Jl. Raya Mambal Br. Baturning No.1, Mambal, Kec. Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia).

Is transportation included in the price?

No. Private transportation is not included.

What’s included in the master class besides the jewelry-making?

The class includes a welcome coffee and/or tea drink, lunch, artisan workshop tour, archive tour, and hands-on activities such as design-your-own drawing, watercolor rendering, wax design carving, and Icon Chain weaving. It also includes an exclusive gift card IDR 2,000,000 to spend on the day.

Do I need prior experience to take part?

No prior experience is required. The master class is described as suitable for people who want to learn the techniques step by step.

Are children allowed?

Children under 12 are not allowed. Anyone under 18 must be under adult supervision.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellation less than 24 hours before the start time is not refunded.