Alan Cable Jewelry- Girls Night Out Business Highlight
Alan Cable Jewelry has a sign on the window, “Hand crafted silver and gold jewelry, No Tricks.” This one metal smith shop is true to the statement, but it should also say “most unique and cool jewelry in Houston.” When you walk into the rustic shop you see true craftsmanship first hand. And, on most days, you’ll meet the sweetest dog Charlie too!
Alan Cable has always been an artist, sketching and building things from a young age. He was a “rocker” during the 80′s as the lead singer of the band “The Refuge” (some native Houstonian’s might remember hearing them at dances and parties). As a young adult, Alan found that jewelry design was a relaxing, creative outlet. Before mastering metal smithing, he designed pieces that were produced in Indonesia. He loved the country and people so much he built a house in Bali where his business was headquartered. In the early 2000s, Alan decided to shut down his jewelry import business and began creating his designs himself. Completely self-taught (aside from a few diamond setting classes and books) Alan created his first pieces “trial by trying.”
Years ago, one of his customers described his style as “Germanic Industrial.” I asked Alan what that meant and he said he didn’t really know, but it sounded good. His inspiration comes from his own paintings and sketches and also his limitless imagination. A few reoccurring themes you see are trees and houses. Alan says when he is working on pieces “the art just takes over.”
Alan creates every piece of jewelry himself – from the initial sketch to the final polished metal setting with stone. It is fascinating to see his handmade molds, casts, and “works in progress.” Different stations in his shop have different uses. His messy workbench (he says if things are too clean he can’t concentrate) holds tools, wax castings and molds. He has a vacuum and heater area which melts silver and gold, and a stone setting bench where he sets his pieces with precious and semi-precious stones.
Gender neutral, his signature heavy silver beads are fashioned into necklaces and bracelets. Alan pays close attention to the details – even the clasps are a piece of art.
Alan Cable Jewelry is a warm and inviting shop. The rustic wood fixtures and iron wall hangings are intermixed with beautiful dried roses from Alan’s own rose plant collection. The glass cases show off Alan’s designs in both gold and silver, some with precious stones and pearls. Charlie, the sweetest dog, keeps Alan company during the day, and if you’re lucky, you’ll meet Alan’s wife and infant son. And you will always find Alan at one of his work stations busily finishing up a custom piece or a design he’s “really wanted to do.” Alan Cable Jewelry was recently voted in the Top 5 Best Designer Jewelry in Houston on Click2Houston.com
Alan will bring his works of art to our Girls Night Out. Don’t forget to pre-register at www.gnohouston.com to speed up your check in. This will automatically enter you into our grand door prize drawing, if you attend. So, join us on October 17th and meet Alan. But, you’ll have to go by his shop on Bissonnet to meet Charlie!
Alan Cable (& Charlie)
Alan Cable Jewelry
2356 Bissonnet
713-521-2031
