It all started on a small table in front of the Brown County Peddler, a half-century ago.
Fast forward 50 years, three locations and countless memories later, Touch of Silver, Gold and Old is celebrating their legacy as a pillar in the Brown County community.
Al and Carol Drake started their shop at a flea market in Florida, before they moved to Indiana. They were one of 10 artists who would vend in front of the Brown County Peddler in downtown Nashville.
The polishing wheel sat on top of the table, alongside handmade spoon rings and beadwork by Carol.
As for being in business for 50 years — with 49 of those in Brown County — Carol said they “still can’t believe it.”
“It was an idea that we came up with and it turned into a passion,” Carol said. “He’s really good at what he does.”
Al is self-taught, providing classes to others who wish to enter into the business and art, training multiple silversmiths and goldsmiths who have gone on to open their own shops.
From the Brown County Peddler, the Drakes opened a storefront in Albert’s Mall in Nashville for seven years.
After that they were in the Old State Bank building on East Main Street for more than 20 years.
In 2006 they moved across the street, where they are today with a larger space, broader selection of jewelry and larger, loyal customer base.
In the world of jewelry-making, Al said he has the opportunity to create something of beauty and make people happy.
That’s what keeps them in the business, they said.
“It’s an enjoyable way to make a living,” Al said. “We’ve made a lot of friends and acquaintances. It’s nice to create and make beauty. And we can make a living and raise our kids.”
For custom orders, customers can come in and have a seat at the counter on the other side of Al’s work station.
He collaborates with the customers, asking what kind of design and style they want, and he comes up with a sketch that he executes in wax.
Once he builds the model in wax, he lets customers approve the mold. He then casts and polishes the one-of-a-kind piece.
Al gravitates towards flowing lines and organic styles himself. His favorite stone is the opal, because each one is different.
There is a certain magic in the process of coming up with a custom piece, coming up with an idea and bringing a drawing to life.
“I ask them to bring in pictures of a style, I look at the jewelry they have on,” he said. “Try to create something within those bounds but is original.”
‘Quality, honesty, artistic’
Customers come in with stories unique as the pieces the Drakes sell, all looking for something meaningful.
They’ve had customers come in who have lost a loved one and they will have a wedding ring made into crosses.
Al once made an ash holder for a woman who had her toe amputated and wanted to keep the remains as it was still part of her, Carol said.
“You just go, ‘Wow,’” she said.
Over the last five decades, the memories made and customers served have made a lasting impression on the couple.
They made rings for Sandy Allen, the tallest woman in the world.
Carol’s favorite custom creation was a ring made for a customer that was literally out of this world. A customer had brought in moon dust and wanted Al to incorporate it into a ring to give his wife on their anniversary.
Al mounted the extra-terrestrial medium into platinum.
Carol said she remembers it not only because it affected the gentleman they made the ring for, but her own family. The customer came back and brought moon dust for the Drakes’ sons, which they put into vials and gave them for Christmas.
For Carol, engaging with employees and visitors is the magical part of the business, as well as creating displays in the store and the window inviting customers into the shop.
“I want people to want to come in,” she said.
“Personally I think she has the best displays in town,” her husband said.
When they were still in the Old State Bank building, Carol said she was striving for an idea one day. She saw broken concrete and tiles around the worksite of what is now their current shop and decided to spray shellac and glitter onto scraps at the site.
As customers came into the shop, they asked if they could buy the “stones,” she said.
“Broken concrete blocks,” Al remarked.
Seeing other shops in Nashville close through the winter season, the Drakes decided to not only stay open, but host an annual sale from February through March where merchandise is 25% off.
An additional 5% is taken off when customers bring in canned goods or non-perishable food items to be donated to local food pantries. Customers also received the discount if they donated money to Riley Children’s Hospital. More than $2,000 and pounds of food were donated by the Drakes earlier this spring that was collected during their 37th annual sale.
Becoming involved in the community is something that has set them apart from other working jewelers and businesses, which is the part Carol has loved the most, she said.
They’ve been involved with the Brown County Humane Society, Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, and other local nonprofits and organizations. Carol has also worked with the Indiana Heritage Arts board.
Being in business for 50 years, the Drakes have experienced their share of ups and downs, going through recessions and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other challenges in the industry came with big jewelry stores and a decline in small independent jewelry stores in the country, Al said.
When the Drakes first came to Brown County they were one of eight working jewelers, a number they’ve seen dwindle over the years.
Carol said she would like to see some changes as far as helping independent artists get started in local business.
Despite the difficulty the last two years in a pandemic has brought, Carol said they have kept going, thanks to a small business loan and their loyal customers.
They keep in contact with their patrons through the years. Carol said she will make calls and ask how people are and they tell her, “You don’t know what this means to me.”
“The customers have been amazing,” Carol said.
People often ask the Drakes not to retire, Carol said. For her, the business is about having her sons involved, as well as other family members, employees and staying involved in the community.
“Someone asked the other day, ‘Why do you think you’ve been here this long?’” she said. “I think we’re just being who we are. Quality, honesty, artistic, regular hours, involved with the community. It’s just all come together and worked.”