Recently at the tourist hotspot of Inle Lake in Myanmar, I hired a private boat to take me out onto the lake on my final day. At $20 for a 4 hour tour and being told that I wouldn’t be able to go to the couple points of interest I was keen on seeing, I probably should have asked around a little more. But, time was running short and I had a bus to Yangon to catch that afternoon, so I agreed to this tour, which I think ended as me being shipped around to the shops of the boat owner’s friends.
One of the shops we went to on the Lake’s stilt village was a silversmithing shop. A small operation producing some interesting pieces, but nothing the significantly stood out to me, it was still interesting to see them work and watch the steps to make a single small piece of silver jewelry.
Everything seemed to be done in-house and all steps performed right next to each other:
Upon trying to leave the store, I was stopped by the woman who owned it, insisting, and very nearly demanding that I buy something from her store.
Tip for Inle Lake boat trips: Double check to make sure they go where you want to go.
Step by step…just like years and years ago. Really interesting to follow the process of creation!
The most interesting was a small ‘swimming fish’ pendant they made. Each piece (about 6 or 7) was individually made and then linked together by tiny bolts. They told me it took a week to put one together. I didn’t ask the price.
Perfect! I love the silversmith staring right at you in the last shot!
Yeah, the smelter was a lot more smiley the the guy making the rings.
Interesting post, Ben. Thanks for stopping by and following my Europe blog. Rosemarie
Sure thing. I love to come across a new travel story.
A wonderful, literal take on the challenge! 🙂
Thank you.