Parallel Universe Silver & Brass Jewelry Making in Ubud

Your Bali souvenir starts with your own sketch. At Parallel Universe in Ubud, you spend 150 minutes making real silver or brass jewelry, with a wide crystal and stone shop that helps you pick something personal. I love that you can go freeform, yet still get Balinese silversmith support to finish what you design. I also love the hands-on feel, where the process stays relaxed and patient. One possible drawback: the $30 covers the class fee, while materials and extra stone settings cost extra and can change day to day.

The vibe is chill, with that go-anywhere creativity you see referenced in Vogue UK, and the studio time gives you space to actually make decisions. Plan for Ubud traffic, and get to the meeting point (The Garden, left corner by a Japanese Bamboo Library) a bit early if you want time to browse stones before the workshop starts.

Key Things I’d Not Skip at Parallel Universe

• A full crystal and gemstone shop to find the stone that fits your design, not just whatever is left
• Freeform design time so you can sketch something unusual, then turn it into metal
• Up to one stone setting included in the class fee, with extra settings priced clearly
• You make it yourself, while the smiths guide you step-by-step without taking over
• Personal results, like multiple pieces in the same session (for example, rings plus a bracelet)

Where Parallel Universe Fits in Your Ubud Day

Parallel Universe is built for travelers who want a real craft memory, not a factory souvenir. Ubud is known for art, but this workshop is different because the centerpiece is you and your design, backed by local skill. You are making wearable jewelry, not just watching someone else make it.

The workshop runs about 150 minutes, so it works as a half activity day in Ubud. It is also friendly if you are traveling with a partner or a friend, since you can both create your own pieces during the same session.

Practical location tip

You meet inside The Garden, at the left corner next to a Japanese Bamboo Library. If you have ever lost time in Ubud, you know how much difference it makes to arrive with the meeting point clear in your mind.

A note on traffic and pacing

The studio also flags that traffic around ceremonies and road closures can be heavy. They even recommend walking within about a 1 km radius if cars are not moving. I would take that seriously as a planning cue, especially during busy ceremony days.

The 150-Minute Studio Session: How Your Time Actually Gets Used

You get 2.5 hours of studio time in a workspace designed for silversmithing. That matters because jewelry-making is hands-on. If you show up rushed, you tend to settle for something safe. If you show up with a little patience, you can build a piece that looks like you.

Here is the flow you should expect based on how the class is described and how the process is done:

• You start with inspiration. The workshop has design ideas you can reference, plus you can bring your own sketch or direction.
• You choose a metal (silver or brass, and gold is available on request).
• You browse stone options in the shop. If you want a stone with personality, this is where you should spend time.
• You make your jewelry with guidance from the silversmiths, step by step.
• If you want more than one piece, you can typically add pieces, paying materials and any relevant add-ons.

If you are the type who likes to think things through, the timing helps. If you are the type who arrives late or indecisive, you might feel rushed by the end. That is not the studio’s fault, it is just how crafting time works.

Metals in Plain English: Silver, Brass, and Gold Options

The class gives you choices, and the pricing is clear enough that you can estimate your total before you commit.

Silver and brass prices (pay only what you use)

• Silver: 85k per gram
• Brass: 30k per gram

That “pay only what you use” model is one of the best value ideas here. It means you can keep your first piece modest, then add detail if the design grows on you.

Gold and gold plating

Gold is listed as on request, and gold plating is 60k per gram. Since those details are not presented as a standard, I’d treat gold as an upgrade you decide after you see what style you are building with silver or brass.

The Gemstone Shop: Why This Part Feels Like the Real Attraction

This workshop is not just metal work. It is also a stone-picking experience.

You are offered a stone and crystal gallery, with hundreds of stone types and stones starting from 8k. That range matters because you can match a stone to:

• your birthstone
• a color story in your packing list
• a meaningful souvenir idea (a trip memory, a nickname, a vibe)

One practical tip: if you plan on using stones, the workshop suggests coming a bit earlier to browse the shop. I agree with that. Stones are the easy part to get distracted by, and you do not want your craft time squeezed.

Stone settings and what’s included

Your class includes up to 1 stone setting. Extra stone settings are 25k each, and the first stone setting is free. Just remember: stones themselves are priced separately.

If you want a piece that looks heavily gemmed, plan on additional stone setting fees plus the stone cost. You can still do it, but do it with eyes open.

Designing Your Piece: From Sketch to Something You Can Wear

The workshop approach is built around choice. You can make rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, or something new. The point is that the studio is set up so you can communicate an idea and translate it into metal.

Inspiration support, even if you are not creative

You do not need to arrive with a perfect design. The class uses inspiration sources, and you can draw what you want with help if needed. People have mentioned using inspiration books and drawing ideas on a page as part of the start.

Even better, the vibe is patient. Several participants highlight that the team helps you keep control of the design instead of rushing you into a template.

Templates, customization, and fast changes

There is also support for customization. Extra design time is marked as free, but the workshop asks you to keep it fast, with additional time possibly applying. Translation: quick changes are welcome, but the clock still matters.

If you like the idea of adding a personal message, there are examples of stamping like BALI on jewelry. I would treat that as a possible option, not a guaranteed default for every piece, and confirm it with the team for your design.

Making the Jewelry: Hands-On Time With Balinese Silversmith Skill

This is where Parallel Universe is strongest. You are not just decorating. You are doing the steps.

Participants repeatedly describe a balance that makes sense: staff help you, but they do not take over. The teaching style seems built around clear instructions and watching you work, then stepping in when you need guidance.

That balance is why you leave with a souvenir that feels authored by you. It also makes the jewelry-making process more fun, because you can see progress while you are doing it, not just after it is finished.

What you can realistically make

You can craft ring and bracelet styles, and the workshop format is described for rings, bracelets, pendants, and earrings. Some people finish multiple pieces in one go, like two silver bracelets or a ring plus another item. The big factor is how many stone settings you want, and how complex the metalwork feels for your design.

If you want maximum customization, I would keep your core design simple and let stones and small details do the storytelling.

Pricing and Value: The $30 Class Fee vs Your Final Total

Let’s talk money in a way that helps you plan.

What $30 gets you

The listed price is the class fee, about $30 per person. It covers:

• 2.5 hours of studio time
• up to 1 stone setting

It does not cover materials. Materials are charged separately, and the price for silver and brass is based on weight used.

What you will likely pay on top

You pay for what you use:

• Silver 85k/gram
• Brass 30k/gram
• Stones and crystals starting from 8k
• Extra stone settings: 25k each (first setting is free)
• Extra time: 100k per 60 minutes
• Gold plating: 60k per gram (if you choose that route)

The pricing model has a real advantage. If you make one small ring with no extra stones, your total can stay reasonable. If you turn it into a multi-stone, multi-piece set, your final cost will rise because materials rise with use.

How to keep it good value

Here is how I’d control your budget without killing the fun:

• Decide your main design first, then pick one hero stone rather than trying to jam in everything.
• If you want multiple pieces, keep them in the same metal and keep settings limited.
• If you need extra time, treat it as a choice, not an assumption. You are paying 100k per additional 60 minutes, so plan your design changes early.

Comfort, Timing, and What to Wear

This workshop is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the actual making process is still hands-on. I’d think about comfort as the top priority.

Wear clothes you do not mind getting a little work-friendly. You will be handling metal and tools, and you will likely be leaning in close for detailed steps. Also plan your arrival time so you are not stressed before you even pick stones.

If Ubud traffic is intense, buffer time. The meeting point is specific, and once you are there you want to start the session with energy, not a sprint.

Language Support and Who Will Enjoy This Most

The workshop lists host or greeter support in English, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay, which makes it easier to communicate your design intent.

This experience suits:

• You if you want a hands-on Bali activity with a wearable result
• You if you love crystals, color, and personal souvenir decisions
• You if you like artisan work but do not want a “watch only” class

It might be less ideal if:

• You hate waiting for materials and pricing decisions at the end
• You want a very scripted, no-choice workshop. This is choice-heavy by design

A Balanced Heads-Up: When the Session Might Feel Too Busy

One caution from the experience details is that sometimes classes can be too full. In that case, explanation of how stone options, gold plating, or the full process works may come later, unless you ask.

So here is my practical move: be upfront early. Ask about:

• how stone setting changes affect cost
• what gold plating means for your exact design
• how much time you truly have for extra design changes

That one step can turn a slow start into a smooth finish.

Should You Book Parallel Universe Jewelry Making in Ubud?

If you want a Bali souvenir with a real story, I’d book it. The value is strong when you treat the $30 as studio access, then make smart choices about materials and stones. You are essentially paying for time and guidance, while the rest scales with your design.

Book it if:

• you like the idea of choosing from a gemstone shop
• you want hands-on jewelry making in a relaxed atmosphere
• you are comfortable paying materials separately based on weight and add-ons

Skip or reconsider if:

• you want everything included in one fixed price with no variable add-ons
• you are short on time and cannot browse stones early
• you prefer a more structured, less freeform class

If you do book, come ready to pick a main stone and a clear shape, ask questions early, and enjoy the fact that you are leaving with something you made yourself, not something made for you.

FAQ

What is the duration of the jewelry making experience?

The session runs for about 150 minutes, with 2.5 hours of studio time included.

Does the $30 price include materials?

No. The $30 is the class fee only. Materials are priced separately, and you pay for what you use.

How much are silver and brass?

Silver is listed at 85k per gram, and brass is listed at 30k per gram.

Are stones included in the price?

Stones are not included. Stones and crystals start from 8k, and you pay for stones you choose.

Is only one stone setting included?

You get up to 1 stone setting included with the class fee. Extra stone settings cost 25k each, and the first setting is free.

Can I make different types of jewelry?

Yes. You can craft rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, or something else you design within the workshop.

Where do I meet for the class?

Enter The Garden, then look for the left corner by a Japanese Bamboo Library.

Can I cancel or book without paying now?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.