Ubud: Alas Arum Silver & Gold Workshop

Make jewelry in Ubud’s rice-field quiet. This workshop turns pure Indonesian silver into a real wearable keepsake, in a bohemian garden setting with jungle-and-rice views and a welcome cocktail.

I love the way the experience stays hands-on and guided, with instructor help you can actually use while you choose a design and shape it. I also love the setting: you work with metal in the open air, looking out over rice fields instead of staring at a wall or another studio.

One thing to think about: your included silver amount (1–6 grams) can limit how complex your design gets, and add-ons like gold plating and gemstones cost extra.

Key highlights worth your time

• Garden studio with rice-field views that makes the session feel like a break, not a chore
• 1–6 grams of Kalimantan silver included for your one custom piece
• You choose the design and get step-by-step help from the artist-instructors
• You can add engraving (especially popular for ring interiors)
• Welcome drink plus an on-site bar if you want coffee or food during the session
• Gold plating and gemstones available if you want more sparkle and contrast

A bohemian studio with rice views, not a factory floor

Alas Arum Silver & Gold Workshop is set up to feel relaxed and personal, not like a rushed craft hall. The space is described as bohemian-style, with a garden vibe and views over rice paddies and surrounding jungle. The practical bonus of that location is simple: you get fresh air and calm during a hands-on activity, which can make a short 2-hour class feel longer—in a good way.

The workshop is also built to keep you away from heavy traffic and crowds. That matters in Ubud because a lot of days can turn into a blur of driving, lines, and noise. Here, your main focus stays on your hands, your tools, and the piece you’re shaping.

You’ll check in with staff at Alas Arum Silver. From there, you’re guided through choosing what you’ll make and then moving into the metalwork steps. Most sessions run around 2 hours, but the pace depends on how detailed your design is.

Choosing your piece: rings, bangles, earrings, and inside engraving

You can make jewelry shapes like a ring, bracelet, or earrings. The workshop is designed for options, so you’re not stuck with one template. You’ll typically pick a design you like and then tailor it with help from the instructor, including choices that affect how much silver you need and how the finished piece will look on your hand or around your wrist.

A detail I really appreciate for gift-givers: you can have an inscription or engraving on the inside of items. That’s the kind of personalization that turns a souvenir into something you actually wear. It’s also why ring-making workshops can beat typical shopping—your final object has a story you can explain without trying too hard.

If you’re worried you won’t know what to choose, you’re not alone. The workshop provides designs for inspiration, and the instructors help you adjust toward something doable with the included silver.

Two practical notes:

• If you want a very intricate design, plan for extra work time (and possibly extra materials).
• If you’re making multiple items (some people do), keep your design choices simpler so you don’t feel rushed.

From silver blank to finished jewelry: what the process feels like

The workshop centers on traditional metalwork methods using Balinese tools and techniques. You’re not just watching. You’ll see the steps and also do the hands-on parts, with artist-instructors guiding you through the process so you understand what’s happening instead of copying a pattern.

The studio uses pure Indonesian silver sourced from Kalimantan. For your project, you get 1–6 grams of silver included. That’s enough for common jewelry outcomes like a ring or a pendant-style piece, depending on thickness, size, and design. If you’re aiming for something beefier, you may want to consider purchasing more silver.

What you can expect during the session is the real sequence of making:

• You start with the included silver and work toward your chosen design.
• You go through the key steps needed to shape and form the metal.
• You finish with a wearable piece designed to last, with the guidance helping you avoid common mistakes.

One more thing I think is underrated: watching your piece take form makes you more confident. It’s easy to feel proud of something you physically shaped, even if you’re a total beginner.

The welcome drink and on-site bar: why it’s more than a perk

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, usually described as a refreshing cocktail in this tropical setting. That sets the tone right away. Instead of arriving to a stiff class, you ease in with something cold and then get to work while the garden air stays comfortable.

Then there’s an on-site bar for extra drinks and snacks. Reviews point out coffee and food options (including things like chicken satay), which is useful if you get hungry while you’re concentrating on fine metalwork. Even if you only plan to have a drink, having the option reduces the usual stress of wondering where the next snack will come from.

This matters because jewelry-making takes attention. If you’re distracted by hunger or thirst, it shows. With a bar on site, you can keep your energy steady while you finish your design.

Gold plating and gemstones: customization with clear add-on costs

The experience works in two modes: you can keep it silver, or you can add gold plating as an option. Gold plating is available as an add-on you pay for at the workshop. There are also gemstones available so you can customize your look beyond the metal alone.

If you’re thinking about budget, this is the main place costs can rise. One review noted gold plating costs around 12€/15$ extra, and extra materials like silver are also available for purchase at 85,000 IDR per gram. That means your base price is straightforward, but your final spend depends on how far you want to go with personalization.

My practical advice: decide what matters most to your finished piece before you start. If it’s the metal shine, skip the extras. If it’s color and contrast, then gemstones and plating are worth it. Either way, you’ll leave with something more personal than a typical Bali purchase, because you chose it and made it.

Price and value: why $46 feels fair here

At $46 per person, you’re paying for real instruction plus a defined amount of silver. The value is strongest if you actually want a hands-on souvenir, not just a photo.

Here’s what the price covers:

• Guided workshop with Balinese artist-instructors
• The setting and time to create your piece
• 1–6 grams of pure silver included
• The built-in experience flow: design choice to making to finishing

Costs you should plan for:

• Extra silver if your design needs more (85,000 IDR per gram)
• Gold plating and gemstones
• Items like chains or hooks, which aren’t included

The included silver range (1–6 grams) is the key value driver. It gives you freedom to choose a style that fits the amount you’re allotted, and it also gives you a built-in “budget ceiling” for the materials. If you go big on plating or stones, you should expect to add to the total—but you’re not paying extra for instruction. You’re paying for the visual upgrades.

Timing, meeting point, and getting there without stress

The workshop duration is listed as 2 hours, but the experience may run from about 1–3 hours depending on your design complexity. That flexibility is normal for a craft class: intricate designs take longer. Plan extra time so you don’t feel rushed.

You don’t get transportation included. The good news is the location is described as easy to reach using Grab or Gojek. I’d still do one small thing to reduce stress: book a driver ahead if you’re coming from central Ubud, so you arrive on time with minimal fuss. The workshop can only accommodate a delay of up to 10 minutes; beyond that, you’ll need to reschedule.

Where to go: check in with staff at Alas Arum Silver at the meeting point listed for the activity. If you’re doing other Ubud stops the same day, build buffer time around traffic and your walking route.

Who this workshop fits best in your Bali plan

This is a great fit if you want a souvenir that feels personal and wearable. It’s also ideal if you like learning a craft with your hands and seeing how a raw material becomes something finished.

You’ll especially enjoy it if:

• You like photography, because the garden and rice-field views are part of the experience
• You want an activity that doesn’t feel like a tourist line
• You’re shopping with intention and want something you can keep, not just a trinket

It’s less ideal if you hate metalwork tasks or you only want a quick stop for photos. The session is hands-on by design.

Also note: it’s not suitable for children under 4 years old.

Should you book the Alas Arum Silver & Gold Workshop?

Yes—if your idea of a great Bali day includes a calm setting, hands-on making, and a wearable result that you designed yourself. The base value is strong because you get instruction plus 1–6 grams of silver, and the location helps the time feel special without extra effort on your side.

I’d book with confidence if you’re willing to choose a design that works with the included silver, and if you’re open to optional upgrades like plating or gemstones. I’d think twice if you want a very complex piece on a tight budget, because extra silver and add-ons can add up.

If you want one practical rule: arrive with a simple-to-moderate design in mind, then upgrade only if the instructor guidance and your budget line up.

FAQ

FAQ

What’s included in the $46 ticket?

You get a guided workshop with Balinese artist-instructors, time to create a custom piece, rice paddy views, and 1–6 grams of pure silver included for one jewelry item. You also get a welcome drink, with additional drinks and snacks available at the on-site bar.

How much silver do I receive?

The included amount is 1–6 grams of pure Indonesian silver for one jewelry piece. If you need more for your design, extra silver is available for purchase at 85,000 IDR per gram.

Can I make something besides a ring?

Yes. The workshop lets you make jewelry such as rings, bracelets, or earrings, depending on your design choice. You’ll pick what you want to make with instructor help.

Can I add gold plating or gemstones?

Yes. Gold plating is available as an add-on you can pay for at the workshop. A variety of gemstones are also available to customize your piece, along with other elements like chains or hooks being available only if you purchase them separately (they are not included).

How long does the workshop take?

The duration is listed as 2 hours, but the experience may take 1–3 hours depending on how complex your design is.

Where do I check in, and how do I get there?

Check in with staff at Alas Arum Silver at the meeting point. Transportation isn’t included, but the location is described as easy to reach using Grab or Gojek.

Is there a free cancellation window?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.