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!

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.

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.

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!

Private Room:
$5,880 USD

For this price you get your own private room in each location.

Shared Room: (per person)
$5,400 USD

Traveling 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:
$1000

The Registration Deposit reserves your spot on the trip.

Remaining Price After Deposit:

Private Room:
$4,880

Shared Room (per person):
$4,400

This price includes all hotel accommodations, ground transportation, most meals, workshop fees and materials, and select excursions indicated in the full itinerary.