10 things any Bali event producer must have

You could start a post like this with words like patience, sense of humor, ability to multitask… but we’re going with things you can buy (yay capitalism!). And things that save our lives at every event.

People don’t often think of the sheer physicality of events, but this is an actual team member’s data from a seven day event period. We do crazy long hours (often in Bali’s brutal heat) constantly moving to deliver the perfect event for clients.

On with the things we can’t live without:

1/ Rehydration salts: this is where you start in the morning, with a big dose of water with electrolytes. After you’ve been on your feet for 12 hours this makes a huge difference to how good you feel and/or the recovery process.

2/ Water bottle: Double insulated and at least 1-liter capacity. Make that two bottles. It can be a long, long times between refills. Fun fact, did you know there are still places in Bali that won’t refill your water bottle?

3/ Sun protection: sunblock (the Korean Joseon sunblock is amazing and sweat proof), sunglasses and hats. We’ve also been known to have umbrellas.

4/ WhatsApp: honestly, how did we do anything before Whatsapp? Every section of the event has a different coordination group. Then there are vendor groups, venue groups, client groups… we should count how many messages it takes to produce an event one day.

5/ Amazing shoes. Sneakers are the only way to go and they better be supportive.

6/ A uniform. So helpful when people don’t know you but need to find you fast or venue security is at the door. P.S. black hides the sweat.

7/ Snack bag: we always have a bag of snacks hidden at an event. We rarely get to sit down and eat so need something fast to keep energy levels up. We have a bag where you can choose your poison. MSG? check. Granola bar? check. Apples? Done.

8/ Battery pack: how to sabotage an event? make sure no one can recharge their phone. Game over. We love our big battery packs that are illegal to pack in your airplane luggage.

9/ Sling bag or phone strap: We usually need our hands to be free, but also need to carry around all of the above, so phone strap or sling bag is vital.

10/ The Event Bible: this is everything. The rundown from days before the event to the breaking down of an event. It’s is in print and digital format and is in everyone’s hands for when your brain stops working but you need to know what’s next. Clipboard optional.

The launch of Bali Macet at Titik Dua

In the Bali Macet exhibition, Dodit Artawan captures the vibrant pulse of Bali's iconic traffic jams (macet) through a fusion of meticulous pointillism and explosive pop art. This series is not merely a celebration of Bali's roadside culture but a commentary on the intersection of consumerism, globalization, and the fetishization of everyday objects. The exhibition was at Titik Dua from March 1-16th 2025.

The exhibit also marks the launch of the Bali Macet Playing Card Deck, a collaboration between the artist and Toko Elami. Each card in this deck is a window into the controlled chaos of the island's streets, where the back ends of motorbikes, cement mixers, and overloaded pick-up trucks become canvases for storytelling.

The artist draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of artistic giants—Van Gogh's rhythmic lines, David Hockney's bold colors, Roy Lichtenstein's static lines and Ben-Day dots, Edward Ruscha's graphic text, and Jonas Wood's flat planes of color. Yet, the work is distinctly its own, rooted in the visual language of Bali's streets and the artist's observation of daily life. From the mobile warung eateries to trucks bursting with kitchen utensils, each scene is a snapshot of Bali's vehicle culture.

At its core, this series is a critique of contemporary consumerism and its allure. The artist explores how mass-produced objects—plastic products, street food stalls, and overloaded motorcycles—shape our perceptions and desires. By fetishizing these objects, the work reveals the irrationality and hedonism of a society driven by consumer culture. Yet, there is also a sense of celebration here, a recognition of the creativity and resilience of individuals navigating this globalized world. The artist appropriates the aesthetics of consumerism, using bright colors and rhythmic lines to both critique and honor the lifestyle it represents.

The technique itself is a meditation on process and precision. Each line and dot is carefully placed, creating a visual rhythm that draws the viewer in. Up close, the tremor of the artist's hand is visible, a testament to the physicality and intimacy of the creative act. The interplay of lines and dots becomes a metaphor for the interconnectedness of modern life, where individual choices ripple out to shape the whole.

Bali Macet is more than a deck of cards or a series of paintings—it is an invitation to see the world differently. It challenges us to find art and joy in the everyday, to question the forces that shape our desires, and to celebrate the vibrant, chaotic beauty of life in motion. Through this work, the artist reminds us that even in the midst of traffic, there is poetry.

In terms of aesthetic, I am interested in consumer products packaging with all the shapes, alluring design and colors. I like seeing objects (industrial products) displayed in shops on the sidewalk, plastic products with bright colors, small stalls, food stalls, retail shops, mini marts, street food, repair shops, souvenirs. I like the composition, how they displayed the products, on the floor, on the wall, on a glass shelf, stacked up so high, or hanging from the ceiling. How people carry their stuff overloaded by motorcycle or in pickup trucks on the road. In my work I use ordinary objects, domestic objects, daily life objects to express and communicate the social issues in my neighborhood where I live.

Get to know: Dodit Artawan, artist and observer

We chat with Dodit Artawan as we are about to launch our Toko Elami x Dodit Artawan Bali Macet Playing Cards. Dodit Artawan, a Bali-born artist, challenges traditional expectations of Balinese art with his unique and vibrant creations. Using paint markers, he transforms common sights from Bali's streets and everyday domestic objects into colorful, intricate works of art. Artawan's pieces are characterized by meticulous lines and dots, with each object featuring detailed etchings.

Your work often features everyday objects from Bali's streets. How do you choose which items to focus on in your art?

From an aesthetic perspective, I am interested in consumer products, their packaging design and their colors. I like to see objects (industrial products) displayed in shops on the side of the road, such as plastic products with bright colors, grocery stores, mini marts, food stalls, repair shops, souvenirs, street food, retail shops. I like how they display their merchandise, piled up on the floor, all the way to the sidewalk, stacked in glass cabinets, on the walls or hanging on the ceiling.

Likewise with the phenomenon of how people carry excessive goods (overloaded) on motorbikes or pick-up cars. Which we often encounter in road traffic jams, unique and interesting in terms of composition, very aesthetic, but it’s dangerous when you’re on the road.

I'm just trying to adopt to how modern society has become dominated by consumerism. People are celebrated for participating in this consumer culture, where shopping and material pleasures are almost impossible to resist. This consumer-driven and hedonistic lifestyle is both addictive and intoxicating. My observations are as commentary on how globalization has led local cultures to embrace foreign influences, thus displacing their own culture.

Can you walk us through your creative process, from selecting an object to completing a piece?

The creative process comes from the habit of seeing random things on the street, from people's daily activities or random things on the internet. Sometimes I take photos using my phone camera, or from the internet just as a reference. But for the purposes of composition in the works, I use my imagination to adjust to my wishes based on ideas or concepts that have been stored in my memory. Sometimes through some initial sketches on paper.

How has growing up in Bali influenced your artistic style, particularly your use of color and intricate patterns?

Nah ini… intricate patterns, this is one of the strong characteristics of the Balinese people, ingrained in the flesh, passed down from generation to generation, without realizing it has become part of the subconscious hahaha ...

In my opinion, technical skill and perseverance are strong characteristics of Balinese artists, so its not only from the aspect of themes, such as themes with narratives for the greater good, full of philosophy, mythology, religious rituals and other traditional elements, like most of the themes raised by Balinese artists in general. But more to the essence and visual behavior, which tends to be complicated, detailed, diligent and requires high skills.

You've mentioned using art to communicate social issues in your neighborhood. Can you give an example of a specific piece and the issue it addresses?

I use domestic and daily life objects as my subject matters to express and communicate the social and environmental issues in my neighborhood, such as people's habit of throwing rubbish carelessly in public places, in gutters, on empty land. Using sidewalks for selling, parking or, most commonly, placing business signs, shop stalls, or garages. And the behavior of people on the highway who like to violate traffic regulations, including me, as well as the chaotic and messy infrastructure which has become a common everyday sight. But I try to show it in visual language in a cheerful, colorful, joyful and not gloomy way. Even though in reality many things are gloomy and stressful.

How do you balance creating art that's true to your vision with the expectations people might have of "Balinese art"?

I have always been asked the question, why aren’t your paintings ‘Bali’? They’re really not Balinese? A general question from local art lovers, especially those from outside Bali. Because they read that Bali is exotic and traditional. Like the ‘Balinese Art’ which is generally known. It's as if all Balinese artists are like that, uniform and there are no contemporary artists in Bali. I don't really like that stereotype. In fact, all the themes in my paintings are all phenomena that occur in Bali, perhaps a slightly different perspective from Balinese artists in general. I paint what I like, whatever I want. That’s the real luxury in life as an artist.

Which artists or art movements have had the biggest impact on your work?

There are several pop artists who inspired my latest series of line rhythm works, such as static lines, repetitive diagonals and dots, from Roy Lichtenstein; to bright color from David Hockney; text, graphics, and word art from Edward Ruscha; and younger pop artists such as Jonas Wood’s flat lines and colors. So Pop Art is the most influential and has the biggest impact in my artworks.

Your use of paint markers is quite distinctive. What drew you to this medium, and how does it shape your artistic expression?

It feels more fun. After over two decades of mixing colors with brushes and taking a long time to finish each painting, layer by layer, doing all the details carefully, I felt so numb. Using paint markers makes me excited to paint, it feels happy and joyful. Making line rhythm drawings with bright colors, from using acrylic paint markers, to choosing a subject matter is all connected with the characteristics of colors. Focuses attention on the individual line and the intervals between them. The lines and dots in relationship to the whole painting. Lines and dots are the main visual elements in my painting. If you come closer to my painting then you can feel the tremor of the hand and the muscle behind it.

How do you see your art evolving in the future? Are there new techniques or themes you're excited to explore?

Usually an artist's works develop and change with the times, and represent the spirit of the era. For technique, there are still many media that I am interested in exploring and experimenting with in the future, such as pastels, crayons, colored pencils, oil sticks. Likewise, the themes will change over time.

I hope my artworks will draw value from their period of time. Even when my artworks have surpassed many generations.

If you could display your artwork anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

MoMA, The Museum of Modern Art, New York. One of the most influential museums in the world and the largest collection of contemporary art.

Introducing Bali Macet: Playing Cards illustrated by Dodit Artawan

We’re passionate about co-creating with local artists for our store Toko Elami. We’re very proud to introduce Bali Macet playing cards, featuring original artwork by Dodit Artawan. This exclusive collaboration will launch in early 2025. Bali Macet is our 5th (!!) art game and second deck of playing cards, a sister to the Gumi Bali playing cards illustrated by Rumantra.

About Bali Macet Playing Cards

Trapped in traffic? Deal yourself into the dazzling world of Bali's most iconic roadside scenes. Each card in this deck celebrates the controlled chaos of the island's legendary traffic jams (macet), transformed into explosive pop art through meticulous pointillism and eye-popping color. Get very familiar with the back end of Bali’s vehicles, from the rear-view of the motorbike egg seller to the ever-present cement mixer, to the pick-up piled high with gas tanks. Every vehicle is rendered in hundreds of tiny dots that pulse with electric blues, hot pinks, and sunset oranges. The artist's keen eye captures those perfect moments of gridlock glory: a truck bursting with kitchen utensils, the mobile warung eatery, or a bus filled with tourists on a mission. More than just a deck of cards, it's a handful of Bali's vibrant vehicle culture, where even being stuck in traffic is a work of art.

The artist has hand drawn all the suit symbols and the attention to detail on each vehicle is amazing. Definitely a feast of color in the hidden gems of Bali’s roadside sights.

About the artist

Dodit Artawan, a Bali-born artist, challenges traditional expectations of Balinese art with his unique and vibrant creations. Using paint markers, he transforms common sights from Bali's streets and everyday domestic objects into colorful, intricate works of art. Artawan's pieces are characterized by meticulous lines and dots, with each object featuring detailed etchings. Rather than catering to the picture-perfect tourist images often associated with Bali, he draws inspiration from the realities of daily life, using domesticity to explore and communicate social issues in his neighborhood. Artawan's approach is summed up in his statement, "Just because I am from Bali, it doesn't mean that I have to paint like those pictures on postcards for tourists".

Artawan studied fine art at the Indonesian Art Institute Denpasar Bali and started his art career in 2011. Dodit is an artist whose focus is on the breakaway from the dominance of traditional Balinese art on the art scene in order to seek new expressions for contemporary art in Bali. Dodit Artawan has been widely exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Italy and the USA. Dodit won the prestigious Bronze Award at the IWS Malaysia 1st International Watercolour Biennale (KL) in 2018.

Introducing Everyday Bali: A Sticker Collection illustrated by Michellaneous

We are so proud to have team member Michellina Suminto step into the spotlight with her beautiful illustrations transformed into stickers for Toko Elami! "Everyday Bali" emerged from the keen observational eye and artistic spirit of illustrator Michellaneous (her nom-de-plume), who has totally captured the vibrant essence of Balinese street life.

This sticker collection celebrates the often-overlooked details (IYKYK) that make Bali so charming – the humble warung signs, the colorful kites dancing against blue skies, and the graceful penjors that line the streets during festivals. Each of the 78 stickers was hand-drawn, transforming funny moments and common sights from Ubud's bustling streets. The collection, presented across 13 sheets of laminated matte paper, serves as a portable gallery of Bali's daily life, allowing Bali fans to carry and share pieces of the island's character wherever they go. Stick on souvenirs if we may say! Ready for your computer, phone, helmet, or wherever your heart (and eye) desires.

And of course we will have merch! Keep an eye out to see if your favorite stciker makes in on a t-shirt or bag.

Behind the design: Custom gifts and merchandise for events and brands

We’ve been lucky to work with several brands and events over the past years to create custom and branded gifts for their clients or event attendees. Elami Productions transforms moments into lasting memories through immersive event experiences in Bali. Building on our expertise in event design and production, we now extend our vision to bespoke gifts and merchandise that tell your Bali story. Whether for a special room drop, event gift bag, or an attendee present that is part of the event experience, we can make suggestions to find your perfect match.

We offer a few different options, including branding our existing designs, or starting from scratch. Below is an example of an existing design branded by a Uluwatu hotel called Asa Maia for guests gifts.

Working with Bali's finest artisans, we create customized pieces that honor local craftsmanship while meeting contemporary design sensibilities for corporate gifts.

Above all we value:

- Authentic cultural connections

- Sustainable production practices

- Artisanal quality

- Innovative design

- Community impact

Below is a Balinese tridatu bracelet made with sterling silver clasp and charm with a stamped company logo. This was handmade by traditional Balinese silversmiths to give to guests attending an incentive event.

From concept to creation, each piece reflects our deep understanding of Bali's rich artistic heritage and our clients' contemporary visions. Whether designing for an intimate gathering or a grand corporate event, we ensure every element – from the event experience of receiving the gift to the take-home pieces – weaves together seamlessly.

Our merchandise range include:

- Custom-designed and branded event keepsakes

- Limited edition collaborative pieces

- Branded merchandise that tells your story

- Event-specific commemorative items

Below is a handmade paper and wood fan with original prints featuring a company-specific pattern and branded on the edge of the fan with the company logo.

It’s not just the gift, but how it’s presented to the guest. below is a traditional weaving loom set up at an event where guests could see how the traditional Balinese scarf they received was made in front of their eyes, making it more meaningful and memorable.

Drawing on our established relationships within Bali's creative community and our experience working with international brands, our merchandise and gifts resonate with both local and global audiences. Each project is approached with our famed attention to detail and commitment to sustainability, ensuring that every item not only delights its recipient but also honors Bali's artistic legacy and natural resources.

With Elami Productions, your event story continues long after the last guest departs, living on through thoughtfully crafted pieces that capture the essence of your special moment in Bali.

Beautiful stores around Bali that carry Toko Elami products

Aside from our own bricks and mortar store in Kajeng street in Ubud, you can also find our products around the island in some of the most amazing shops and boutiques, including Periplus bookstores, Biku Seminyak, Mana Uluwatu and many others.

Bali can be really overwhelming to shop. The knock-off shops, the mass imported souvenirs… it’s hard to find things made by local artisans and craftspeople that connect to the place and the people. All the stores we are carried in have done an amazing job bringing together a range of goods that are mindfully made, functional and represent the best of Bali and Indonesia.

Each store carries different products based on their curation. We’re always in awe of each store’s distinct style and interiors. Beware, you will want to buy everything in every one of these stores! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Good stores are like really well-planned dinner parties - someone has thought carefully about what to include and what to leave out. When shop owners take the time to carefully pick each item, they're doing more than just stocking shelves. They're creating a space where you can walk in and instantly feel the vibe they're going for. It's less overwhelming than those stores where stuff is just crammed everywhere, and you're more likely to find things you actually love. When stores curate well, you start to trust their judgment - you know that whatever you pick is going to be good quality and fit with their overall style. It's like having a really tasteful friend who's already done all the hunting for you, making shopping feel more like discovering little treasures.

Behind the design: Elami Popup Ceramics Market

Our Ceramics Market popped up on a very rainy Saturday afternoon in Ubud at Guten Morgen Coffee Lab. With 11 potters and ceramic studios joining in, we had a cozy evening serenaded by the tunes of vinyl DJs Spin Sugar.

The Elami Pop-up Ceramics Market was a vibe. A rainy afternoon in a cozy coffee shop vibe. We had 4 hours of pottery fangirling and fanboying over gorgeous handthrown and built pieces finished with exquisite glazes. Was such a joy to host this meeting of ceramicists and clay fans. Big thanks to Guten Morgen Ubud for being such a wonderful venue right in the heart of Ubud!

The design of the event poster and flyers was dominated by blooms of soft color as we showcased the diverse styles of each studio.

A magical time to be in Ubud

Throughout November, we have been inundated with the most incredible beauty, craft and performances as a huge ceremony for Pura Desa Ubud took place. A once every 27 year ceremony, the rituals and contributions from the wider community have been incredible. People have donated elaborate decorations, amazing performances, time and energy like nothing you could have imagined.

For us, being within walking distance of these ongoings has been a visual feast and we’ve both caught sight of the processions and attended some of the ceremonies when we can.

In Rully’s words:

“For my eyes that born outside of Bali, all the processions still feel magical. Sesuhunan Mesolah (the dancing of sacred masks) feels more than just a 'mask' and 'costume' that is part of the performance, but a manifestation of beliefs that come alive. This year I was lucky to see traditional artists working on everything from tapel (masks), jewelry to payasan (Sesuhunan decorations), so it feels complete when I see tonight how everything is displayed during Mesolah. It's great to live here and still be able to see a living culture.”

In this great interview by Now Bali, Ubud elder and customary head of the village, Tjok Raka Kerthyasa explains a little about the ceremonies taking place.

Scroll for a few more of the Elami team’s pictures from the last few weeks. The colors, styles, motifs, patterns and techniques have truly captivated us.

Why we created our concept store in Ubud, Bali

We created our bijou concept store Toko Elami to have a brick-and-mortar place where we could curate products from all of our favorite Bali makers, as well as a place to showcase our own art games and products. We are small but mighty, and like to think we provide a much-needed service for people visiting Ubud who are desperate to find artisanal goods made by humans and with a strong connection to Ubud and Bali. We currently are home to 22 brands and makers from around the island.

We’re located in Jalan Kajeng, which is packed with tiny market stalls often selling mass produced import goods, and visitors often comment that they really appreciate being in a shop where they know the products are authentic, local, handmade and well designed.

Here a few more of our thoughts on the importance of buying local and supporting Balinese and Indonesian makers and artisans.

Sustainability and ethical sourcing of products

When tourists purchase from local brands and makers, they directly support the community's economic well-being and help maintain traditional craftsmanship. Local artisans often employ sustainable practices, using locally sourced, natural materials and techniques with minimal environmental impact. A conscious approach to shopping helps combat the exploitation in global supply chains, ensuring fair wages and better working conditions for local artisans, and a bigger share of the economic benefits. Purchasing from local brands in Ubud ultimately helps preserve Ubud's identity and ecological balance, allowing future generations to continue experiencing its magic and supporting a model of tourism that nurtures rather than exploits local communities and environments.

Several brands in Toko Elami have strong roots in environmentalism and sustainable practices, whether natural dyes, upcycled plastic goods or using waste offcuts.

Suffering from overwhelming variety & decision paralysis?

We understand that coming to a foreign place can be overwhelming. You don’t actually know what’s real vs a tourist trap. We hope that at Toko Elami we have created a safe place for you, where you know that anything you buy has a real person behind it who has been working on years to create the perfect item or piece. Sometimes a smaller section of quality items is just what the doctor ordered…

And, even better, many of our brands can only be found in a handful of places. You won’t see that notebook or wallet anywhere else, especially as most items are handmade and can’t be replicated. Many of our brands are emerging, so you can be the first to say you got that piece of art or craft way before they made it big!

The stories of our products and the brands can be easily found online, or just ask our shop attendants about the cultural significance of different products or who made them. Transparency is a big part of our story.

The cost of handmade products

We often get asked why the products we carry cost more than the items for sale in the market. The number one reason goes back to the high level of craftsmanship and time that goes into many products. Also because it’s a human making it, not a machine. Many years have gone into honing these skills and the prices reflect that. Paying a little more is a sure sign that you are being a mindful consumer and giving back to the makers.

Limited time to explore and find the best products

We know you don’t have a lot of time when travelling, so we really curate the brands so there’s a gift for everyone on your list, young, old, man, or woman. Ceramics, jewelry, notebooks, art prints, games, crochet hats, soap, and incense are just a few of the products we carry.

We have a wide range of prices so you don’t have to break the bank. We also provide great packaging for fragile items so they make it home in one piece. We really curate Toko Elami to maximise your shopping time during a short visit to Ubud.

Supporting Balinese craft in events : how we collaborate with local artisans

As an event production company based in Ubud, Bali, we’ve always been passionate about creating events with a strong Balinese identity, featuring both contemporary and traditional elements. We’ve found many like-minded collaborators over the years and are grateful for their contribution to our events.

Often events in Bali ignore the rich traditions and people of the island, choosing instead to become another bland event that could be held anywhere in the world, instead of taking advantage of the incredible resources we have here.

Even worse, perhaps, are the events that pay lip service to the Balinese people and arts, using it as ‘window dressing’ while congratulating themselves on promoting Balinese culture. Behind the scenes, we hear stories of event organizers refusing to pay anything but tiny amounts to Balinese creators (and asking them to be grateful for the exposure) while splashing out on international talent.

Supporting Heritage Through Events AKA Pay People a Fair Fee

We are proud to work with Balinese artisans, performance groups and craftspeople. We don’t see it as us doing them a favor, but rather an honor that they take the time to work on something with us.

The number one way we support our co-collaborators is to make sure they get paid a fair fee for their work. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard stories of groups being massively underpaid or, even worse, berated for daring to ask a fair fee from event producers. Why do people think art workers and artisans shouldn't be paid properly? Why do they think that traditional art should be cheap?

Paying artisans a fair fee is crucial for preserving cultural heritage and supporting local communities. When event organizers compensate artisans appropriately for their work, they acknowledge the value of traditional skills and the time invested in honing these crafts. Fair compensation ensures that artisans can sustain their livelihoods, continue their work, and pass their knowledge to future generations. It also helps maintain the quality and authenticity of the art forms, as artisans aren't forced to cut corners or mass-produce items to make ends meet. Moreover, fair payment practices foster a relationship of mutual respect and trust between event organizers and artisans, leading to more amazing collaborations and better outcomes for events. By prioritizing fair compensation, event companies not only contribute to the economic well-being of local communities but also play a vital role in keeping traditional Balinese arts alive and thriving in the modern world.

We can also add the importance of good working conditions aka making sure people always have extra funds allocated for transport, that workers and performers get good food every six hours, lots of water, and a nice place to wait or rest. These are small details but so often forgotten.

Incorporating art and culture into Bali events

This can be done in so many ways (while always being mindful of cultural appropriation) in Bali. From decor, and food, to attendee gifts, and performances or experiences during the event, as well as making sure the spiritual needs of an event are take care of.

We always start every event with offerings at the physical site to ask permission of the inhabitants and also to ask for a smooth event. We often work with priests for rain stopping rituals before outdoor events.

The Balinese decor scene is incredible and the natural materials make it a great way to reduce the environmental impact of an event by cutting down on plastic, styrofoam and paper. The best thing is the flexibility and creativity of the craftspeople, any event producer’s dream. We’ve asked the impossible and it’s been delivered, jumping from our imaginations into reality. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

We also love to have the artists and artisans be present at the event, to either deliver the attendee gift directly, or to provide an experience that the guests won’t forget. This also help attendees connect more deeply to the gift and respect the process of creating and the humans that make it happen. Working with local makers often leads to more personalized, high-quality products while reducing waste associated with mass-produced, imported items.

From an economic perspective, collaborating with local makers keeps money within the community. This approach also promotes cultural sustainability by maintaining traditional arts and crafts, which are integral to Bali's identity.

Elami picks for the 2024 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival

One of our favorite times of the year, where we close the office and all troop off to Sanginggan for 4 days of ‘brain spa’ at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. The program is out and we have been madly calling out the speakers and panels we want to see, as well as all of our friends that are launching books, moderating or taking the spotlight.

This year is the event's 21st (wow) edition, and we (as always) bow down before the team that makes this happen. Happening from 23-27 October 2024 and exploring the theme Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara: Speak the Truth, the annual literary fete promises magic. With a star-studded lineup featuring some of the foremost Indonesian and international literary figures, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Tickets are now on sale at ubudwritersfestival.com/tickets.

The writers we are excited to see: William Dalrymple (of course! who isn't?), Fuschia Dunlop (food writer specializing in Chinese cuisine), Jack Edwards (King of Booktok), Molly Oldfield (kid podcaster extraordinaire), Radit Mahindro (launching his amazing book this year), Krisna Sudarma (Balinese art curator) and Ratih Kumala (writer of the Netflix hit Gadis Kretek). 

Build the literary long weekend your bookish heart has always dreamed of with the daily schedule.

Clay and Glaze: An Ubud Open Studios off-shoot event

This Ubud Open Studios off-shoot event featured a panel of speakers who unveiled the process behind their ceramic glazes and clays. Held at the new Guten Morgen Coffee Lab in Ubud, around 40 people turned up to hear the stories from the kiln. The three speakers included Seline Kocher from Mahteh Ceramic, Suzan Kohlik from Sari Api Ceramics and Pasthika Maya from Kevala Ceramics.

This panel delved into aspects of ceramic artistry, exploring topics such as the properties, sourcing and preparation of different types of clay for Indonesian makers. Glaze experiments, making homes for coral babies, setting up Ubud’s first high-firing studio 25 years ago, waste in the industry and what it’s like creating ceramics & running a studio in Indonesia were all covered during the discussion. Thank you to Guten Morgen for being a wonderful host and lending us your beautiful space!

A guide to Ubud: our favorite art & design stores in the neighborhood

Ubud has some INCREDIBLE stores, boutiques and shops that are beautifully curated with an eye for design and artisan crafts. Below is our list of our current favorite stores and shops of Ubud, Bali.

P.S. We also have a little store of our own called Toko Elami on Jl Kajeng.

Aaaannddd if you like our suggestions you can buy our Design Guide to Ubud (which is a regularly updated Google Map with our notes about each of our choices of places to stay, shop and eat)

On with the list of great places to spend at!

1/ Shop Mina: the tiniest gem of a shop in the most walkable neighborhood in Ubud, Nyuh Kuning! Has amazing selection of Bali’s best small brands and products.

2/ Seniman Shop: over the road from the best coffee shop in Ubud in Taman is their little gallery and merch shop. Grab coffee in all forms (beans, capsules, green) or cool t-shirts, upcycled drinking glasses, and even their famous rocking chair.

Toko Elami

3/ Threads of Life: an Ubud institution. A social enterprise gallery and shop offering heritage quality ikat and batik textiles, handwoven and naturally dyed by women across Indonesia.

4/ Kado: the retail outlet of the wonderful Saraswati Papers. Handmade and recycled papers in the most luxurious notebooks, greeting cards and photo albums.

Threads of Life Gallery

5/ Miraku: a gorgeous wood-clad shop with Balinese jewelry and natural indigo-dyed clothing. Elegance beyond.

6/ Curative: a store filled to the brim with local brands and designers, from pins to shirts, to jewelry and stickers and more.

Rumantra Shop

7/ Oiland: essential oil products like roll on perfumes. Only oils of the highest quality and mixes that will remind you of Bali forever. They have a tiny outlet in central Ubud.

8/ Quarzia: modern Italian batik clothes in the most beautiful silks and cottons. All hand-drawn and crafted.

9/ Rumantra: a store overflowing with amazing products based on designs and illustrations of the owner. Don’t leave without a t-shirt or a piece of jewelry.

Quarzia Batik