Jewelry Making

To say I was excited for Bali would be a complete understatement. From the way my parents nostalgically talked―highly praiseful and with child-like excitement lacing each story they fed me―I couldn’t help but feel a perpetual longing for that mystical island since the beginning of the trip.

And now I’m here.

About a month ago, I was waning on the strong-held belief that Bali truly was something out of a dream and that it wouldn’t live up to the hype. My mom and dad had thoroughly taken every word in the thesaurus synonymous to amazing when describing what it was and would soon be like. I began to question how amazing something possibly could be, because certainly there had to be a limit, right? But as these things usually go, I was wrong and all for the better.

●   ●   ●

Having the most artists per capita, Bali seemingly dominates when it comes to the arts. Whole towns dedicated to one form of medium creates either an awe-inspired sharp intake of breath, or an overwhelmingly dizzying affect causing heads to spin, though in most cases … both. While I can’t believe that there can be that many wood carvings, stone carvings, silver jewelry, paintings, etc. I know now that nothing can ever quite compare and that I’ll never find a place that comes even remotely close. That no words can accurately describe the sheer awesomeness (or craziness) that is Bali. So, as we are fully surrounded by artistic vibes there isn’t really much of a choice, but to be zealously drawn to do a class in some sort of trade. It didn’t matter much on which art we learned. Besides, during our stay there’d be plenty of time to do multiple classes if we so desired, and with that we all decided to begin our stint by taking a class in jewelry making.

I’m now sitting at a work table, pencil to paper, with a sheet of silver eagerly awaiting to come to life at my side. No lectures and no demonstrations. We simply walked into the class and once we were all introduced they gave us a clipboard attached with a blank piece of paper and a pencil. Some books were available―to pull inspiration from―containing pictures showing dozens of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Two other women are seated, already deep in the process of construction. The open studio is filled with sounds of hammering, sanding, and in the corner a blow torch spits its fire.

When I’m done drawing out my design, one of the four or five guys helping comes over and together we brainstorm the most effective way to transfer my creation from paper to silver. I have no idea as to how the silversmiths get started in creating just the simplest of projects, let alone elaborate ones. So, though I say together, I mostly mean he took my design and figured what would need to happen in order for me to succeed in making it. Selecting different tools and other apparatuses and placing them in front of me, I was ready to get started. At least, he was gesturing at me to get going. I’m not exactly sure how to use any of the contraptions, well, aside from the hammer. He must’ve known this by the hesitance in my eyes and the awkward way I grip whatever it is that I’m holding, because after only a few seconds, there he is showing me the correct way of things. Then, seeing as I’ve got the hang of it all, he goes off to help a newcomer who has just arrived. And after a couple laborious hours go by, there I have a shiny new piece of jewelry.

We have since taken four more classes. But, by no means, are we experts. In fact, I’ve gained such a strong respect for silversmiths and their trade of art. Walking down the streets in Ubud, I find myself stopping at the windows of jewelry shops and looking at their displays thinking how hard that must’ve been or trying to deconstruct each piece and guess as to how they made it.

The thing that makes these silver classes so unique is that you book a time and then walk right in. People are coming and going, you can stay as long as wanted or needed, and the five or so guys working there are just cruising around making their way to each person and helping if called on. Whatever your imagination comes up with, you can guarantee that it’ll come out looking very professional, yet still handmade and personal. For me, it’s definitely been one of the many highlights here in Bali.