Parallel Universe Silver & Brass Jewelry Making in Ubud

Parallel Universe lets you turn a sketch, a favorite stone, or a half-formed idea into jewelry you make with your own hands. In a 2.5-hour studio session, Balinese silversmiths guide you through the work, while leaving room for you to shape the design yourself. I like the freedom to bring an original idea and the large choice of stones and crystals.

The main catch is the pricing: the $30 fee is for instruction and studio time, while metal, stones, and some settings cost extra. Decide what you can spend before choosing materials, and keep an eye on the clock if your design starts to grow.

• Your design can go beyond the usual ring or pendant: You can plan a bracelet, earrings, or an original piece, with extra design ideas included if you can complete them in the session.
• The class fee is not the final bill: Silver is priced at 85k per gram and brass at 30k per gram. Stones start at 8k.
• One stone setting is included: The stone itself is extra, and additional settings are charged separately.
• You have 150 minutes in the studio: Extra time costs 100k per 60 minutes, so a simpler design may be a better fit if you want an unhurried finish.
• Arrive early if you want a stone: The crystal and gemstone shop has a wide selection, and browsing before class gives you more time for making.
• Find the studio in The Garden: Enter and look to the left corner, by the Japanese Bamboo Library.

Make a keepsake, not just another souvenir

A handmade ring or bracelet carries a different kind of memory from a shop-bought trinket. You choose the shape, metal, and any stone, then take part in making the piece under the guidance of local silversmiths. You do not need to arrive with a polished design. There is a book of inspiration, and the team can help you turn a rough idea into something workable.

The hands-on balance is the point. You do the work yourself, but you are not left to puzzle out every step alone. Ray, also referred to as Raymond, and the team have been praised for their patience and for helping people through the design and making process without taking over. That matters if you have never made jewelry before, or if your drawing skills peak at stick figures.

The workshop is promoted as a relaxed creative stop in Ubud, with a studio and a shop filled with stones and crystals. It has also been featured as a travel experience in Vogue UK. The appeal is less about a formal silversmithing course than about spending an afternoon making a personal object with skilled help close at hand.

Start with the design, then choose your materials

Your first task is deciding what you want to make. Rings, bracelets, pendants, and earrings are all options, and the studio welcomes unusual ideas too. If you have a clear design, bring it along in your mind or on paper. If not, the inspiration book can help you settle on a shape or style.

This is a useful time to be honest about your schedule and budget. The session lasts 150 minutes, and the class fee covers studio time, not the metal or stones. A bold design with several elements may take longer or use more material than a straightforward ring. Extra design ideas are free, but extra time is not, so keep the piece ambitious enough to feel personal and simple enough to finish.

If you want to add a stone, browse the collection before the class begins. The studio has hundreds of stone types, with prices starting at 8k. The first stone setting is included in the class fee, but the stone itself is not. Each additional setting carries a separate charge, listed as 25 per setting.

I would not choose a stone in a rush after the making session has started. The shop is part of the attraction, and an early look gives you time to compare colors and shapes before committing. The host specifically recommends arriving a little early if stones are part of your plan.

Work with Balinese silversmiths, not just a template

Once your idea and materials are settled, the making begins. The team guides you through the process, while you remain involved in creating the piece. People who have made rings and bracelets describe a good balance between doing the work themselves and getting help when needed. That is a better fit for a hands-on class than a demonstration where you simply watch an artisan work.

The instruction seems personal rather than rigidly scripted. Ray and the other makers have been singled out for patience, even when someone changes a design several times or arrives short on ideas. You can ask for help as you go, and you should speak up if you are unsure about a material choice or an added charge.

There is room for more than one piece, but treat that as a possibility rather than a promise. Some people have made two rings and a bracelet, or more than one bracelet, during a session. Your result will depend on the size and complexity of your designs, the time you spend choosing stones, and how much help you need along the way. A small, quick piece may leave room for another; a detailed design could use the full 2.5 hours.

The session is not a substitute for a long silversmithing course. Its value is in having an artisan close by while you take part in shaping a finished object. If your main goal is technical mastery, you may want a longer class. If you want a personal souvenir and a taste of the craft, the format makes sense.

Pick silver, brass, or a stone that sets the tone

Silver costs 85k per gram, while brass costs 30k per gram. Since the metal charge depends on how much you use, the price of your finished piece cannot be known from the class fee alone. A small brass piece is the lower-cost route; silver gives you another option if that is the look you want. Gold is available on request, but no fixed gold price is provided.

Stone prices start at 8k, with the cost varying by the stone you choose. The shop’s range is a real advantage if you want a piece with a particular color or character, but it also makes it easy to keep adding extras. Choose your stone with the total in mind, not only its appearance.

Gold plating is listed at 60k per gram. It is an additional charge, as are extra stone settings and any time beyond the included 150 minutes. These costs are charged after the session, so ask the team to explain what you are adding as you go. That simple check helps you avoid a surprise at the end.

The $30 class fee offers reasonable value if you want instruction, access to the studio, and the chance to make a one-off piece. It is not a bargain-priced finished-jewelry purchase, and it should not be judged as one. Think of the cost as the class plus the materials you select. The final amount depends on your metal, stone, settings, and any extra time or plating.

Make time for the studio and the Ubud approach

The workshop is in The Garden. Enter the space and head to the left corner, by a Japanese Bamboo Library. That landmark is more useful than simply arriving at the entrance and wondering which way to go.

Ubud traffic can be heavy, especially during ceremonies and road closures. If cars are barely moving within about a kilometer of the studio, the host suggests walking the remaining distance. Give yourself a little extra time, particularly if you want to browse the stones before class. A late arrival can eat into the same limited studio time you paid for.

The class is wheelchair accessible, and hosts or greeters speak English, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve without paying immediately. Check the available start times when planning your day.

Who will get the most from this class?

This is a strong choice for couples, friends, and solo visitors who like making things and want a souvenir with a story attached. It also suits anyone who enjoys choosing colors and materials, even if they have never handled jewelry-making tools. You can arrive with a complete sketch or let the inspiration book and the team help you find a direction.

It may be less satisfying if you want a set, all-inclusive price before you begin. The listed fee excludes the metal, stones, and certain add-ons, and the final total depends on what you make. It is also worth considering whether you are comfortable working within a 2.5-hour session. Ask about costs early, keep your design manageable, and you can make the time work for you.

The strongest reason to book is the chance to leave with something personal, made with your own effort and a silversmith’s guidance. The most practical reason to pause is the variable materials bill. If you have a design in mind, or are happy to choose one in the studio, this can be a satisfying Ubud activity. If you mainly want inexpensive jewelry with no class component, buying a finished piece may suit you better.

FAQ

How long is the jewelry-making class?

The studio session lasts 150 minutes, or 2.5 hours. Extra time costs 100k per 60 minutes.

What does the $30 price include?

It covers the class fee, 2.5 hours of studio time, and up to one stone setting. Metal, stones, and other add-ons are charged separately.

How much do silver and brass cost?

Silver is priced at 85k per gram, and brass at 30k per gram. The amount you pay depends on how much metal your piece uses.

Are stones included in the class fee?

No. Stones and crystals are priced separately, starting at 8k. The first setting is included, but the stone is not.

What kinds of jewelry can I make?

You can make rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, or bring another design idea. Extra design ideas are free, but extra time may apply if the work takes longer.

Where is the studio meeting point?

Enter The Garden and go to the left corner, by a Japanese Bamboo Library.

Which languages are available, and can I cancel?

Hosts or greeters speak English, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.