Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class – Craft Your Own Silver Jewelry

Silversmithing in Ubud beats shopping every time. You’ll melt, shape, solder, and polish sterling silver 925 into a wearable souvenir, guided by a local Balinese silversmith. It’s close to the Monkey Forest area, and the class is small enough that you are not just watching.

Two things I really like: you start from scratch with no experience needed, and you get to make one piece that is yours to take home. The workshop also includes snacks and mineral water, plus free Wi-Fi, which helps when you are pairing this with a Monkey Forest morning or afternoon.

One drawback to plan around: some designs are more hands-on than others, and the work can be a bit physical. If you choose a hammered or stamped style, expect more hands-on effort, and your arm might feel it later.

Key takeaways from the Ubud Monkey Forest silver class

• You make a real piece, not a craft version, using your own chosen design and a 1-5 gram silver allowance
• Small group setting (max 10 travelers) means you get more guidance and fewer wait times
• Full process training, from melting and forming to filing and polishing, so you understand what you are creating
• Extra costs are real if you want more silver or add gemstones, with clear IDR-per-gram and gemstone ranges
• Staff support stands out, with instructors named in past sessions like Eddie, Ino, Ketut, and Sugita for patience and clarity

Why Ubud Monkey Forest is a smart base for a silver workshop

Ubud is one of Bali’s easiest places to “stack” activities. This class fits naturally into a day around the Monkey Forest area, so you can do something cultural and creative without trekking all over the island.

What makes this workshop especially interesting is the craft itself. You are not picking a pre-made ring off a shelf and calling it a souvenir. You are learning a chain of skills, step by step, and you watch the material transform as you work.

The setting is also practical. The workshop is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and it is near public transportation. There is no shuttle included, so you will want to sort your own ride or walk from nearby points.

What you make, how much silver you get, and what costs extra

At the end, you take home your own silver jewelry, made from sterling silver 925. Everyone in the class makes only one piece, and the take-home silver allowance starts at 1-5 grams, depending on the design you choose.

A key detail: if your piece is under 5 grams, the usage is still counted as 5 grams. Translation for your planning, the studio is treating the allowance as a minimum for cost accounting and the piece you leave with will be shaped around that structure.

Here is where costs can change:

• More than 5 grams costs an additional fee of 85,000 IDR per gram
• Gemstones can be added for an extra charge ranging from IDR 100K to 500K, depending on type and size
• You cannot share the silver with another person, so if you are traveling with someone, assume each of you needs your own piece plan

This matters for value. The base price can feel like a bargain if you are happy with the standard weight and you stick to silver only. If you want a bigger statement piece or gemstones, your final spend may creep up fast. Still, it can be worth it because you are paying for handwork, materials, and instruction that you cannot replicate in a store.

The hands-on process: melting 925 to polishing your final shine

You should expect a real workshop arc. The class follows the classic steps of silversmithing, with you doing key stages rather than only watching.

Here’s the order of how your piece comes together:

1. Choose your design

You pick from sample designs, or you come up with your own idea. This is a big deal because different designs can change how much physical work you do.

1. Learn the materials and tools

You get introduced to what you will use before you start shaping anything.

1. Melt pure sterling silver 925

The session begins with melting the silver. It is messy, fascinating, and very different from buying jewelry.

1. Hammering and pressing

You work the metal to start forming a base shape.

1. Shape the jewelry and proceed to soldering

You form your piece into something that looks like the jewelry you intended, then solder parts to hold it together.

1. Smooth it with filing and finish by polishing

The final look depends on this phase. Filing and polishing are where the piece goes from rough metal to something you would actually wear.

Past students highlight that the teaching is clear and patient, with instructors like Eddie helping participants create rings successfully, and Ino praised for being both kind and skilled. Ketut is also named as helpful with making sure the design looks good while you work.

Even if you are not an art person, the process is structured enough that you are not guessing.

Design choices that affect how hands-on you feel

You can choose from sample styles, and you can also pick something close to what you want so your hands do the right work. The important thing is this: not every design feels the same once you are at the bench.

Some rings and bracelets lean more toward steps like shaping and finishing. Other styles involve more hammering or stamping, which tends to be more physical and more interactive.

A practical tip from how people describe the workshop: if you want a more active session, look for designs that explicitly involve techniques like hammered or stamped effects. If you want something calmer, choose a simpler silhouette and focus on the polishing and finishing stages.

Also, design selection can take time, and you may feel a bit rushed if the class is busy. If you are picky, come in with at least one design idea in your phone so you can decide fast when you arrive.

Some people also mention extra personalization like stamping or engraving. For example, one ring included a Bali stamp on the inside. If personalization matters to you, ask on the spot what specific options your chosen design allows.

Time needed, group size, and how to plan your day

This is a small-group workshop with a maximum of 10 travelers. That small size changes the whole vibe. You can ask questions and you are not stuck waiting while someone else gets help.

Plan on about 1.5 to 3 hours for the class duration. The listing and how people describe the experience suggests the range is wide depending on your design and how the session flows. A safer approach is to schedule this when you have breathing room before or after.

You end back at the meeting point, so it is easy to plug into a walking route around Ubud.

Meeting point:

Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class, Jalan Raya Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

It is also described as near public transportation. There is no shuttle included, so if you are staying farther away, factor in a ride time buffer.

Snacks, water, and the small perks that make a workshop easier

The workshop includes snacks and mineral water. It sounds basic, but when you are doing hands-on work, you will be grateful you do not have to hunt for food mid-class.

You also get free Wi-Fi, which is helpful if you want to upload a photo of your design choice before you start melting silver. It is also handy for sharing directions with your group later.

One small warning: the work is hands-on and can be physically demanding. More than one person called out that it can be a workout. If you have wrist or grip limitations, consider that before you book. Even then, you can still participate, but you may want to choose a design that requires less heavy hammering.

Who this class is best for (and who might want to skip it)

This is a great fit for:

• Couples making matching rings, since you can both choose your own designs and create something together
• Solo travelers who like structured activities with friendly instruction, especially when instructors are praised for patience
• Kids and families depending on ages and comfort with tools, since the class is hands-on and described as fun for older kids
• Anyone who wants a souvenir with real craftsmanship, not just a photo

You might want to think twice if:

• You want a super relaxing, low-effort activity. Some designs require more physical work, and some stages are inherently hands-on.
• You want a big, heavy piece with gemstones. The base silver allowance is 1-5 grams, and adding extra grams or stones increases the final cost.

The good news is that the workshop is welcoming and accessible, and most travelers can participate. That mix is what makes this such an easy “yes” activity in Ubud.

Value check: is $41.85 a good deal for silver jewelry in Ubud?

At $41.85 per person, the value comes from what you actually receive:

• You get materials and tools included
• You get instruction through the main silversmithing steps
• You take home a completed piece starting from 1-5 grams of silver
• Snacks, mineral water, and free Wi-Fi are included

Where the deal can weaken a bit is add-ons:

• If you buy gemstones, you will pay extra (IDR 100K to 500K)
• If you want more silver than 5 grams, it is 85,000 IDR per gram

So the “best value” scenario is simple: pick a design that fits the standard silver allowance and keep it silver only if you are trying to stay close to the base price. If you upgrade for gemstones or extra weight, you are effectively paying for more material and more finishing work, which can still be worth it if that is your goal.

Should you book the Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class?

Book it if you want a hands-on Bali souvenir that feels personal and real. You will leave with something wearable that comes from learning a process, not copying a product.

I would especially recommend it if you are the type of traveler who enjoys small guided activities, where friendly instructors like Eddie, Ino, Ketut, or Sugita can help you turn ideas into metal. The small group size and the step-by-step structure make it a smart use of a few hours in Ubud.

Skip it or choose a simpler design if you are worried about physical effort or you know you want a very large jewelry piece with gemstones. In that case, you might end up paying more than expected for extra grams and stones.

If your schedule in Ubud is flexible and you want a memorable, take-home craft, this is one of the better “do it now” activities near Monkey Forest.

FAQ

How long does the Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class take?

The class duration runs about 1.5 hours to 3 hours, and each participant can make only one silver jewelry piece.

What is included in the price?

The class includes all necessary materials and tools, snacks, mineral water, and free Wi-Fi. You also get your take-home silver jewelry made from the class allowance.

How much silver do I get to take home?

Your take-home piece starts at 1-5 grams, depending on your design. If your jewelry is less than 5 grams, usage is still accounted for as 5 grams.

Is there an extra cost if I want more than 5 grams of silver?

Yes. If you want more than 5 grams, there is an additional fee of 85,000 IDR per extra gram.

Can I add gemstones to my jewelry?

Yes, gemstones can be added for an extra charge from IDR 100K to 500K, depending on type and size.

Is shuttle service included from my hotel?

No. Shuttle service is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.