Upcoming Workshops
Enameling , Forming, Chasing & Repoussé in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Metalsmithing with Oops+
January 4 – 14, 2025
Reserve your spot now! Space is very limited for this exclusive trip.
Earlybird Discount!
$200 off until October 20
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
November 20, 2024
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Focusing on enameling, metal-forming, chasing, and repoussé, this group of specialized workshops provides you the opportunity to learn from skilled traditional and contemporary craftspeople in their home studios and Buddhist temples located in Thailand’s picturesque north. Thai craftspeople have perfected the art of enameling, silversmithing, and metalwork over numerous generations, and our program connects you with living masters while exploring the history and heritage of these culturally and religiously important practices.
Our program begins with a three-day enameling workshop at Sinpinta Studio in collaboration with Not Just a Thing. Here you will learn the fine work of Thai enameling techniques from the beginner to advanced levels: sifting and watercolor enamel, champlevé, and plique-à-jour. Our expert craftspeople/teachers, Taweesak Molsawat and Natthapol Sinprasert, are masters of the craft, and will guide you through how and why enameling is central to Thai craft and contemporary practice.
We then move to a two-day workshop in Chiang Mai city’s Wualai neighborhood where we will learn metal raising with local silversmiths for which the area is famous. While raising our own traditional water vessels (salung), we will learn about the importance of metal forming to Thai Buddhist artistic and ceremonial life while staying close to Chiang Mai’s century-old walled city. We will then bring our hand-raised salung to the local Buddhist temple, Chiang Mai’s famous Wat Sri Suphan, also known as “The Silver Temple”. Wat Sri Suphan is decorated with intricately wrought metallic panels, and is the center of chasing and repoussé work in Chiang Mai. There we will engage in a three-day workshop learning this traditional craft to add ornament to our raised salung. Throughout this workshop we will learn about the history of Buddhist craft in Thailand while engaging in the life of this vibrant Buddhist temple, eating local food, touring the surrounding neighborhood, and taking advantage of everything Chiang Mai has to offer.
Please join us for this exciting and unique opportunity to learn and make with Thai traditional metalsmiths!
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Oops+ has designed this experience to provide all translation, accommodations, and cultural liaison services so that you can spend your time engaging with local craftsmen and communities.
At Oops+, we uncover the magic of Thailand's cultural tapestry and make it accessible to the global arena. Our offerings center around meaningful interactions with local people, craftspeople, artists, chefs, and designers. We providing travelers with unique opportunities to learn traditional crafts, witness cultural practices, and immerse themselves in the diverse heritage of the region. envisions a world where cultures and ways of life converge creatively so that traditional heritage flourishes in harmony with sustainable practices.
Oops+ was founded by Taweesak Molsawat, an artist, educator, cultural researcher, and advocate for cultural, social, and environmental causes. By collaborating with local artisans, working towards ecological conservation, and advocating for cultural creativity, Taweesak curates experiences that result in positive outcomes for host communities and the surrounding environment.
Taweesak's diverse background and deep-rooted connection to Thai culture serve as the driving force behind Oops+'s commitment to promoting cross-cultural exchange and diversity while fostering new forms of cultural creativity, and sustainability in craft, art, gastronomy, design and ways of life.
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Chiang Mai, often referred to as Thailand's "Rose of the North," is a captivating destination renowned for its rich cultural heritage and exceptional craftsmanship. Nestled in a natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, Chiang Mai is a place where history and modernity coexist harmoniously. This extraordinary 8-day workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore traditional jewelry and metalsmithing alongside local artisans in this cultural oasis.
Chiang Mai, which translates to "new city," has celebrated over 700 years of existence while retaining its historical charm. Founded by King Meng Rai the Great in 1296, it served as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, playing a pivotal role in the development of Buddhism in northern Thailand. The city's historical and modern facets seamlessly blend within its ancient moat-encircled old city, preserving centuries-old stupas and temples alongside contemporary conveniences.
This workshop takes place in a UNESCO Creative City that is well-known for its craftsmanship and folk arts. Chiang Mai is widely regarded as the craft center of Thailand, offering a vast array of crafts, including silver jewelry, metalsmithing, silverware, embroidery, Thai silks, basketry, celadon pottery, furniture, lacquerware, woodcarvings, and parasols.
Chiang Mai boasts over 159 craft communities specializing in cultural crafts and folk arts such as Baan Wualai, known for its silver and metalworking with traditional Chasing and Repoussé; Muang Sart Luang Village, famous for mulberry paper and lanterns; Baan Tawai, a woodworking hub; and the Sri Pan Krua and Baan Nantaram communities, specializing in lacquerware; Baan Nong Khwai and Baan Kad, where silver filigree jewelry flourishing.
This exploration of Cultural and Craft Treasures of Jewelry and Metalsmithing embark on a remarkable cultural journey through the heart of Chiang Mai's craft communities, particularly in Baan Wualai and Baan Nong Khwai with traditional metalsmithing and Jewelry experiences. Each step reveals the treasures of a bygone era, enriching your understanding of local craft traditions that have embraced their heritage for generations. Allow the essence of these remarkable villages to captivate your heart as you engage, indulge, and marvel at the wonders that await you.
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We will always stay in at least 3-star hotels with private ensuite bathrooms in each room with hot showers and complimentary bottled water. All rooms will be equipped with air-conditioning and daily turndown service.
Once in Chiang Mai we take care of all travel logistics to cover our itinerary. While Craft Abroad does not arrange international travel to nor from Chiang Mai, we are more than happy to talk with you about good flight times and our preferred airlines. Furthermore, we are happy to talk about ideas for how and where you might want to travel before and after our time together, just get in touch!
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EARLYBIRD PRICES UNTIL OCTOBER 20, 2024
(discount taken upon registration deposit)Private Room:
EARLYBIRD: $5,560 USD
REGULAR: $5,760 USDFor this price you get your own private room in each location.
Shared Room: (per person)
EARLYBIRD: $5,080 USD
REGULAR: $5,280 USDTraveling with a friend or partner? This price secures your double room in each hotel (can choose either shared bed or separate beds).
Payment Breakdown:
Registration Deposit:
$1000The Registration Deposit reserves your spot on the trip.
Remaining Price After Deposit:
Private Room:
Earlybird: $4,560
Regular: $4,760
Shared Room (per person):
Earlybird: $4,080
Regular: $4,280This price includes all hotel accommodations, ground transportation, most meals, workshop fees and materials, and select excursions indicated in the full itinerary.
Detailed Itinerary*
Day 1
Arrive in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We meet you at the airport and bring you to the 3-star hotel nestled in the bustling city hugged by Doi Suthep Mountain. We will have a nice cold beverage for you, and give you time to rest up after your long journey. We will have dinner together at the hotel and get to know one another and go over some important information for the adventure that awaits us. Those who are up for it can enjoy an evening stroll around the area and get acclimated to life in Chiang Mai!
Day 2
After a restful night and nourishing breakfast at our hotel, we will begin our three-day focus on enameling at Sinpinta Studio. Our teacher/masters will give background on the history of Thai enameling and Lanna (northern Thai) culture, and then the first demonstration of Thai sifting and watercolor enameling techniques. This workshop places a special focus on incorporating vibrant colors and intricate patterns inspired by the rich heritage of Lanna culture, infused with a contemporary twist.
After a locally-prepared lunch at the studio, you will dive right in, working on sifting and watercolor enamel on a prepared silver brooch. You will practice the techniques you have learned with a specifically local color palette. Coffee will be provided at the studio as well as a light snack to keep you fueled for the workshop.
For dinner we will head out to an open-air food market to sample the good, fresh, and clean food that Chiang Mai is famous for!
Day 3
For those who wake up early we will have a walk around the area, with the opportunity to try some early-morning delicacies and breakfast at the hotel. Then we’re off to the studio where we will start learning special Thai champlevé techniques. You will then continue on your own designs using these new techniques on a prepared silver ring.
We will have lunch at the studio so you can continue your enameling with guidance from our teachers with little interruption. We will finish the day with dinner at the hotel or a local food market. If there is time we will also visit nearby Wat Jet Yot, one of the most impressive ancient temples in Chiang Mai.
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s off to the studio for the final day of the enameling workshop. There will be a morning demonstration of Thai plique-à-jour technique and then you will work on your own designs on a prepared pair of earrings before and after lunch.
This section of the trip will end with a feedback session with our teachers at Sinpinta Studio.
For the evening we will venture out into the city for dinner, sampling some of the amazing food that Chiang Mai is know for.
Day 5
This excursion day between workshops will find us all over Chiang Mai, taking in the beautiful temples, luscious markets, and hip urban spots that make the city great. The morning will begin with a trip up Doi Suthep Mountain, and a visit to the famous Buddhist temple at its peak. we will tour at a few other temples and notable spots along the way while learning about the Buddhist history of the region and the specifics of life in Thai Buddhist temples.
We will have lunch at a local restaurant sampling northern Thai cuisine and then head into the ancient walled city in the lowlands. We’ll hit up some great museums, and some other impressive temples and sample some coffee grown in the area.
We will end the day with dinner at one of the evening markets, and then head back to the hotel to rest up for our next series of workshops.
Day 6
For early-risers we will have an excursion to Chiang Mai’s main market to see the hustle and bustle of a sunrise market chock-a-block with fresh vegetables and snacks. Then we will begin our “salung” (traditional water-vessel) forming workshop at Wualia. We will learn about the tradition of metal raising in Chiang Mai, and the connection between this craft community and their local Buddhist temples. We will visit the Buddhist temple Wat Muen San to see first-hand the metalwork this community produces as a form of religious practice. Then we will return to the studio to cut, anneal, and prepare the copper for our future salung vessels.
Day 7
After breakfast in the hotel, most of the day will be in the studio, raising our salung vessels and learning skills from the Wualai masters. This workday will be broken up with a lunch prepared by the community for us, and taken in the studio, as well as a coffee break with some northern Thai sweets. By the end of the day, participants will have a finished and polished copper vessel, ready to serve as the surface for chasing and repoussé ornament!
for Dinner we will venture to a local restaurant for more exciting culinary experiences.
Day 8
We will begin the day with a trip to Jing Jai Market, Chiang Mai’s premier craft marketplace featuring work from local artisans, great food, and even better locally-grown coffee.
After lunch we will head to the famous “Silver Temple” Wat Sri Suphan. This will begin the final workshop in our adventure, learning traditional chasing and repoussé techniques to finish-off our raised salung vessels. At Wat Sri Suphan, we will be honored with a welcoming ceremony from the temple’s head monk. here we will learn about northern Thai (Lanna) temple architecture and culture. Then we will begin designing and sketching for our pieces. Lastly, we will prepare the pitch needed for the chasing process.
Dinner will be on your own, and we suggest checking out the Wualia walking street where you can get great food and awesome handicrafts.
Day 9
After breakfast in the hotel we will head right to Wat Sri Suphan to get in the thick of our chasing and repoussé workshop. While finishing designs and pitch preparations we will get detailed demonstrations of every step by local masters. Before lunch you will transfer your design patterns to your raised copper salung vessels.
After lunch at the temple, we will begin hammering away, chasing and repoussé(ing) our designs on the outsides of our vessels. As you work you’ll be able to see how the grounds of a famous Buddhist temple operate, and the comings and goings of monks, worshipers, tourists, craftspeople, and everyday folks. It will be excellent!
For dinner you will be on your own, and we will encourage you and direct you towards some great spots in the city, such as the Thapae walking street and the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood.
*This is a preliminary itinerary, subject to change based on weather, availability, and unfornseen events. In those cases comparable services will be substituted.
Day 10
A hearty hotel breakfast prepares you for our last workshop day. You will spend your time finishing your chased salung, polishing, melting out the pitch, and soaking in all the richness and beauty of Wat Sri Suphan and the Wualai neighborhood. We will enjoy one final lunch provided by the good people of the Wualai neighborhood and then join in for a wrap-up session with your fellow craft adventurers. Then it’s off for a final party at a local restaurant. Then back to the hotel to prep for the rest of your journey, wherever that may be.
Day 11
After breakfast you will pack away your last bits of things, and then we will check out of the hotel and drop you at the Chiang Mai airport—saying farewells and thanks for a great adventure!
