From Bali to Your Home: The Traditional Indonesian Handicrafts Behind Wayan’s Shop Ubud

A Family’s Journey Through Traditional Indonesian Handicrafts

At Wayan’s Shop Ubud, we believe that traditional art deserves to be appreciated, preserved, and shared with the world. Every handcrafted object has a story, whether it comes from the hands of a local woodcarver, a traditional puppeteer in Java, or a silversmith in Bali.

Established in Ubud in 1998, our family business has grown around a simple purpose: to connect people with the artistry, cultural traditions, and craftsmanship of Indonesia.

Our collections reflect the diversity of Indonesian artistic heritage, from Balinese wooden sculptures and traditional puppets to silver jewelry, brass sculptures, and contemporary handmade creations.

We work with local artisans and independent artists to bring together objects that carry both cultural meaning and individual character.

Here is a closer look at the collections that make our shop special.

1. Handcrafted Wooden Art from Bali

Wooden art holds a special place in our collection because it brings together natural materials, traditional craftsmanship, and the artistic traditions of Bali. We work with local artisans who contribute different skills to the making of our wooden sculptures and masks. The process often begins with a woodcarver shaping the material, followed by a craftsman who carefully sands the surface. The final stage may involve a local artist painting the piece by hand.

Some sculptures and masks receive colorful finishes, while others are left in their natural wood tones, allowing the grain and character of the material to remain visible.

We use a variety of woods, depending on the piece and its intended finish. These include crocodile wood (Indian prickly ash), suar wood, waru wood (sea hibiscus), and sonokeling (Indonesian rosewood), among others.

Many of our wooden sculptures and masks draw inspiration from Balinese culture and Hindu traditions. They represent a connection between artistic expression, spiritual symbolism, and the craftsmanship passed down through generations. For us, each wooden piece is more than a decorative object. It is a way to share the creativity and cultural heritage of Bali with people around the world.

A selection of handcrafted wooden sculptures and decorative pieces, inspired by the cultural and artistic traditions of Bali.

Every wooden piece reflects the skills of local carvers, craftsmen, and artists who bring each creation to life through careful carving, sanding, and hand-painting.

From richly painted sculptures to pieces that preserve the natural tones and grain of the wood, each creation has its own character and charm.

Our wooden masks and sculptures celebrate the artistic heritage of Bali, bringing traditional stories, spiritual symbolism, and local craftsmanship into your home.

2. Vintage Wayang Golek Puppets

Wayang golek is a traditional Indonesian form of wooden puppet theater, particularly associated with West Java. These three-dimensional puppets are brought to life through the storytelling and performances of a dalang, or traditional puppeteer.

Our vintage wayang golek collection comes from traditional puppeteers in Java, preserving the artistic character and storytelling traditions of an earlier generation. As part of Indonesia's Traditional Indonesian Handicrafts, these wooden puppets represent more than decorative art; they reflect a cultural heritage shaped by generations of craftsmanship and theatrical performance. Their carved forms, hand-painted details, and expressive faces give each puppet its own identity, offering collectors a meaningful connection to traditional Indonesian folk art.

A collection of traditional Javanese wooden puppets, each representing a character from Indonesia's rich storytelling and theatrical heritage.

Wayang golek puppets are brought to life by a dalang/puppeteer, whose storytelling and performance preserve generations of traditional Javanese culture.

Sourced from traditional puppeteers in Java, our vintage wayang golek puppets carry the artistic character and charm of an earlier generation.

From expressive faces to detailed costumes, each puppet reflects the craftsmanship and imagination behind one of Indonesia's best-known traditional art forms.

3. Vintage Wayang Kulit: Traditional Javanese Shadow Puppets

Wayang kulit is a traditional Javanese shadow puppet art form in which intricately shaped puppets are used to tell stories through the interplay of light and shadow.

Our vintage wayang kulit collection comes from traditional puppeteers in Java, as well as a production workshop in Bali that no longer makes wayang puppets.

The puppets are made from animal hide, which is carefully shaped and decorated with detailed cutwork. When illuminated from behind, their intricate patterns create distinctive silhouettes that form an essential part of the shadow theater tradition. These vintage pieces preserve the visual artistry of traditional Javanese wayang. Their delicate craftsmanship and cultural significance make them fascinating objects for collectors and anyone interested in Indonesian performing arts.

A collection of traditional Javanese leather shadow puppets, representing a remarkable part of Indonesia's cultural and theatrical heritage.

Traditionally performed by a dalang, wayang kulit brings stories to life through light, shadows, music, and expressive storytelling.

Made from animal hide and carefully shaped with detailed perforations, each puppet reveals the patience and skill behind traditional Javanese craftsmanship.

Sourced from traditional puppeteers in Java, our vintage wayang kulit puppets offer a glimpse into an artistic tradition passed down through generations.

4. 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry, Handcrafted in Bali

Our silver jewelry collection reflects the skill and creativity of local Balinese artisans.

We work with silversmiths who create jewelry from 925 sterling silver, an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver. The collection includes earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and harmony balls, each offering its own style and character.

Harmony balls are particularly special. These pendant ornaments contain a small chime that produces a gentle sound when moved, making them distinctive pieces of jewelry.

Over the years, we have built relationships with several overseas businesses and developed experience in shipping our silver jewelry internationally.

These connections allow us to share the work of Balinese silversmiths with customers beyond Indonesia, while continuing to support the artisans whose craftsmanship makes each piece possible.

A selection of handmade silver jewelry created in collaboration with local Balinese silversmiths. Each design brings together traditional skills and individual artistic details.

Discover our collection of 925 sterling silver jewelry, handcrafted by skilled Balinese artisans. From elegant earrings and bracelets to distinctive necklaces, each piece reflects the creativity of local craftsmanship.

Our sterling silver harmony balls feature delicate designs and gentle chimes. These distinctive pendants make meaningful jewelry pieces and thoughtful gifts.

Through our experience working with overseas businesses and international shipping, we are proud to introduce the work of Balinese silversmiths to customers around the world.

5. Brass Sculptures: From Java to Bali

Our brass collection brings together craftsmanship from different parts of Indonesia.

The brass pieces come from Java in a semi-finished state and are then completed and finished in Bali. This process brings together different stages of craftsmanship, combining work from Java with the finishing skills of Balinese artisans.

Many of these sculptures draw inspiration from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Their forms and decorative details reflect the rich visual language of religious art and the cultural heritage of Indonesia.

Although brass is a solid metal, many of our brass sculptures are hollow rather than solid throughout. This construction makes them lighter and easier to handle than their appearance might suggest. For collectors and interior enthusiasts, these pieces offer a way to appreciate traditional Indonesian metalwork without necessarily choosing a heavy sculpture.

Explore our collection of brass sculptures inspired by Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Each piece reflects the artistic heritage and decorative craftsmanship of Indonesia.

Our brass pieces come from Java in a semi-finished state before receiving their finishing in Bali, bringing together craftsmanship from two different Indonesian regions.

A beautifully crafted brass sculpture depicting a traditional yoga pose, celebrating the connection between movement, balance, and inner harmony. Its distinctive form makes it an elegant decorative piece for yoga spaces, meditation corners, or art collections.

From traditional Hindu figures to Buddha sculptures, our brass collection celebrates religious art and cultural inspiration through distinctive handcrafted designs.

6. Unique Handmade Creations from FIMO Clay

Our collection also features unique handmade creations by Jon Anderson FIMO, an independent artist whose work brings a distinctive artistic perspective to our shop. His creations are made using the millefiori technique, an intricate method of working with FIMO polymer clay to create colorful patterns and detailed designs. Each piece reflects the artist’s creativity, patience, and attention to detail.

The pieces by Jon Anderson FIMO available at our shop are offered on consignment, allowing us to share his distinctive creations alongside our collections of traditional Indonesian art and craftsmanship.

We are pleased to introduce these handmade works to our customers, celebrating the creativity of an independent artist and the beauty of handcrafted art.

An imaginative rattlesnake figure crafted from FIMO polymer clay, featuring colorful millefiori patterns and intricate handmade details.

A charming handmade turtle created using FIMO polymer clay and the millefiori technique. Its colorful patterns and detailed design make it a distinctive little work of art.

A selection of colorful handmade creations by Jon Anderson FIMO, showcasing imaginative designs and the artistic possibilities of polymer clay.

Each creation features the millefiori technique, combining carefully arranged patterns, colors, and intricate details to produce distinctive handmade designs.

Discover the Art of Indonesia with Wayan’s Shop Ubud

From traditional Balinese wooden sculptures to vintage Javanese puppets, handcrafted silver jewelry, brass sculptures, and contemporary handmade creations, our collections bring together different stories of Indonesian art and craftsmanship.

At Wayan’s Shop Ubud, we are proud to work with local artisans and independent artists who continue to create meaningful objects through their skills and imagination. Whether you are visiting Bali, looking for a distinctive piece for your home, or collecting traditional art from Indonesia, we invite you to explore our collections and discover the stories behind the objects.

Explore Our Collections

• Visit our shop in Ubud: Discover our collections in person and experience the craftsmanship up close. (Click Me)

• Explore our Etsy shop: Browse selected pieces available for international purchase. (Click Me)

• Visit our website: Discover more of our collections, stories, and handcrafted art. (Click Me)

• Contact us on WhatsApp: Ask about available pieces, dimensions, shipping, or a particular item that has caught your eye. (Click Me)

  
  

From Bali to your home, we hope our collections bring a meaningful connection to the art, culture, and craftsmanship of Indonesia.

Thank you for being part of our journey since 1998.