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.

Seniman gallery

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

What is an Open Studios event?

An Open Studios event is an opportunity to visit the private studios (usually not open to the public) of artists and craftspeople over a few days. Participants can organize their daily schedules and explore each at their own pace, moving through the area from studio to studio. Ubud Open Studios attendees visit 5 to 7 studios in one day. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with the minds of acclaimed creators; a chance to learn and discover their approaches, processes, and ways of thinking behind their chosen artforms.

In 2024, Ubud Open Studios showcased over 50 local and international artists’ studios, inviting attendees to enter their world of creativity and craftsmanship. A journey of artistic discovery & connection offering a glimpse into the sacred spaces where art comes to life. It's about community—an opportunity to connect, converse, and collect experiences & artworks that resonate.

How to Attend a Ubud Open Studios: A Visitor's Guide

1. Plan Your Route:

- Pick up a printed map and download the special UOS Google Maps of participating studios

- Identify studios or artists you're most interested in. Take time to browse their Instagrams and any other media that has profiled them.

- Plan a route that maximizes your time and interests (e.g. the east side of town, or just the ceramic studios)

2. Prepare for the Day:

- Figure out whether you’ll hire a driver for the day or use Gojek or Grab services.

- Bring a bag for any purchases or materials

- Bring water and snacks, or make a note of where you’ll stop to refuel during the day

3. Start at the Ubud Open Studios hub (ticketing booth and Studio Showcase):

- Explore the Showcase in case you’ve missed any studios you have to visit or need inspiration

- Get last-minute updates or changes in schedules

- Ask about any special events or demonstrations

4. Pace Yourself:

- Don't try to see everything; quality over quantity

- Allow time for unexpected discoveries and conversations (whether with the studio owners or other attendees)

- Take breaks to rest and reflect

5. Engage with Artists:

- Ask questions about their work and process

- Participate in any demonstrations

- Be respectful of the artist's space and time

6. Participate in Activities:

- Join workshops if they're offered

- Try hands-on experiences to deepen your understanding

- Attend any scheduled performances or events

7. Document Your Experience:

- Take photos (where permitted) and don’t forget to tag with the UOS hashtag and studio name

- Collect business cards or brochures from artists you like to get in touch with them after the event

- Make notes about pieces or artists that inspire you

8. Support the Arts:

- Consider purchasing artwork or merch if you're able (the artists will really appreciate the support!)

- Share your experience on social media to promote the event

- Sign up for artists' newsletters for future updates

9. Explore the Ubud Local Scene:

- Visit nearby cafes or restaurants between studios

- Soak in the neighborhood's atmosphere

10. Reflect and Share:

- Discuss your experiences with other attendees

- Provide feedback to organizers

- Consider how the event has influenced your perspective on art

Remember, Open Studios events are about discovery and connection. Stay open to new experiences and enjoy the journey through Ubud's vibrant art scene!

Ubud Open Studios 2025: save the dates!

Art friends (and fiends!), the 2025 dates for Ubud Open Studios are here.

We will be returning on May 22-25 2025 for another amazing three days of studios throwing their doors open for YOU! An art crawl like no other.

Ubud Open Studios invites art lovers, cultural explorers, and the creatively curious to our annual celebration of art in Ubud, Bali.

Discover Ubud's contemporary art scene right from artists’ studios. Imagine an art-filled scavenger hunt where every studio is a treasure trove of creativity.

In 2024, Ubud Open Studios showcased over 50 local and international artists’ studios, inviting attendees to enter their world of creativity and craftsmanship. A journey of artistic discovery & connection offering a glimpse into the sacred spaces where art comes to life. It's about community—an opportunity to connect, converse, and collect experiences & artworks that resonate.

Behind every artwork is a story, a creative process—an artist’s journey.

Roots of Color: an exhibition of natural pigments and art

Elami and Ubud Open Studios are supporting this great exhibition from three regular Ubud Open Studios participants, Novi Tourisia, Made Griyawan and Fiona Caripis, who will also be joined by Rad Puspoyo.

Sika Gallery presents- Natural Matter: Roots of Color, an introduction to the process and place of natural colors and dyes in creative practice. Opening August 18th, 6pm.

Featuring

Rad Puspoyo (@rxddlxs)

Novieta Tourisia (@tourisia)

Made Griyawan (@madegriyawan)

Fiona Caripis (@kajimundo)

📅 August 18th, 6pm - daily until Sept 14th.

📍Location: Sika Gallery, Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 8057.

Supported by: @sikagallery @ubudopenstudios

@kajimundo @radstudios.shop

Get to Know: Fiona Caripis of Kajimundo

A convo with founder of Kajimundo, natural color and pigment explorer, and a bridge between the worlds of natural pigments and fine art.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and background

I'm from Melbourne, but have moved around since graduating from Tafe- I studied fashion design and patternmaking. I went to intern with a sustainable womenswear brand in London. That was probably the beginning of my looonnng journey learning about 'sustainability', and to figure out what I wanted to do. The fashion industry didn't really align with my values, which sucked because I thought that was the field I wanted to work in. After working a few different jobs in fashion, theatre, and galleries in UK and Australia, I ended up on Google looking up "fair trade jobs" (or something like that). I didn't find a job but did find (Nia and Ismoyo's) natural dye batik course at Threads of Life, Bali. That's how I ended up in Bali.

Have always wanted to ask: what’s behind the name?

The short story.... Kaji means knowledge in (old school I'm told) Bahasa Indonesia and Mundo means world. The name is about learning from the world and across cultures.

The long story...... John [Kajimundo co-founder] and I needed to pick a name, we already had the Kaji part, we were Kaji x (for collaboration at first). At the time, we were also really fresh, and still working out what the project would be, so wanted something that could be fun, catchy and work for potentially a range of projects we may be doing around sustainability and knowledge sharing. We were stuck at Cafe Vespa one day due to a massive rainy season downpour, and by the time we left we had Kaji Mundo. John spent a lot of time in his other life living in South America and is fluent in Spanish so that's how we ended up with the Mundo part.

What was your first experience with natural pigment?

I don't know how old I was but I recall sitting in the backyard at home digging at the dirt until I reached an orange clay, I'd scrape some out and smoosh it in my hand. I clearly remember sitting on the grass, and the feeling of digging my finger into the layers of soil and clay, dirt getting stuck under my nails.

What do artists think or tell you when they first hear about Kajimundo?

Artists specifically, I'm not sure. Leaning into the art world is quite a new direction for Kajimundo, but maybe they still think 'indigo paint' and that's a key association. I was so fixed on Kajimundo being textile/fashion focused for a really long time.

What’s your favorite pigment and why? (yes, you have to choose one)

Mean! I have to write two here, because indigo is too obvious. But indigo definitely still has my curiosity, just because it has such an incredible global history across traditional communities, and its unique molecular properties. Indigo is a colour that comes 'alive' in partnership with other matter, and I find that super interesting. I also love painting with extract from eucalyptus, it smells like home and connects me there.

What do you wish people knew about natural colors?

That they are special and carry stories, and exist in your garden and on the street, but they are not a resource for infinite extraction and industry scaling. (an opinion not fact).

The most FAQ about your work or practices?

‘Can I do a dye workshop with you?’ and ‘Can I wash your ink if I paint on fabric?’

Who are your natural pigment heroes?

Can I expand this to natural color heroes? Because I have to put Novi on here! [Dear reader, we have done a great interview with Novi of Cinta Bumi Artisans that also lives on our blog! Lucky you!]

As for other heroes, I came into exploring pigments in a pretty insular way, and have only really started to explore pigments in the last two years. Before that it was all about developing the textile binder and figuring out what to do with Kajimundo. However, some faves: @ines.katamso (I met her when I first started Kajimundo and it's so interesting to see her journey go from an interest into fully embodying pigments into her practice), @Ochre.Earth (Melissa Ladkin), Herman De Vreis (his earth rubbings and 2015 Biennale works have been an ongoing influence for me. I discovered his book "To Be Always" when I worked at the bookshop at National Gallery of Victoria)

Also, this is going to sound corny, but the ancestors I guess are the ultimate heroes, who explored and created, allowed for that knowledge to be passed down, and I guess the land itself. I learn from random articles about Aztec blue, history books, other artists, science papers (whatever is free online), YouTube, old textile books, and field trips to craftspeople around Bali. Oh, and people that have bought my ink/colours and write to me! I am always amazed to see how people use the colours, it's almost always so different, keeps me curious to explore more, and I am so happy when they share that the pigments have sparked some happiness and curiosity for them too.

Corporate gifts for attendees made in Bali

We love sourcing gifts for attendees, but this particular project was a lot of fun to help source with white-on-white cloth fans, white handmade truffles and Balinese origami animals for evening room drops.

We especially loved the request for handwoven Balinese origami dragonflies, butterflies and other flying animals. What a great gift to remind attendees of their Bali adventures.

5 events, 600 attendees, 100s of hands

For ten days we were part of a large incentive trip and supported 5 events, ranging from an intimate dinner, to ‘leave it all on the dance floor’ extravaganza. Huge thanks to the other companies that joined forces with us, from florists to sound and lighting experts traditional Balinese decor crews, photographers, calligraphers, weavers, furniture rental experts and more.

Below are 5 of our favorite photos and moments.

1// A chance to design on water: we created an evening surrounded by water at the Kempinksi Chapel and brought in denizens of lily ponds, including dragonflies and geese in flight. We had to battle the elements to make this one happen. Woven by Udianata. Photo by Arley Mardo.

2// Twin Dragons: Handwoven and peched on the edge of a cliff to guard over attendees. Why hold an event in Bali if not to work with the crazy skillfull craftspeople and culture of this island? Creations by Raka Dalem Bernat and Sri Melanting, hand-woven from leaves in the style of Balinese decor for ceremonies and events. Photo by Arley Mardo.

3// A black and gold art deco meets Bali tablescape: A chance to work again with Cosa Projects and to incorporate Balinese offering baskets, cloth and hair ornaments. Shout out to The Host Table for their tableware choices and amazing set up.

4// Lighting perfection: working with our favorite team of Focus Productions again to light every event perfectly, including this secret corner of a ballroom we revealed during dessert for a dance party, speakeasy style! And of course draping and curtain opening mechanics by The Host Table made it all possible. Backdrop by Sri Melanting.

5// A Balinese village by the seaside: we brought pieces of Bali to a welcome reception on the Kempinski lawn, including the photo backdrop featuring wayang (shadow puppet) chickens in traditional cages and Balinese floral motifs. Created by Sri Melanting.

The incredible skills used to make these pieces of art can only be appreciated when you see the process behind the creations. Below is short video featuring some of the behind-the-scenes footage during the 5 month long lead up to these events. Shot at Udyana Studio in Ubud, Bali.

Behind the design: Ubud Open Studios 2024

For the 3rd edition of Ubud Open Studios, we asked Bali-based illustrator damdampops to create a set of icons to represent all the different types of art and media found at Ubud Open Studios. The icons arrived to decorate the main hub at Titik Dua and also appeared on the official tote bag, t-shirt and catalogue.