Let Your Voice Be Heard: Solano Avenue Survey

By Hand patrons have never been shy about voicing their views. Here's your chance to to give your opinions and share your vision for Solano Avenue. Make Solano Avenue a more ideal shopping district for you! Councilmember Laurie Capitelli, whose district covers North Berkeley and the Thousand Oaks neighborhood, is seeking the views of both neighborhood residents and those who come from other parts of Berkeley and surrounding cities to visit East/Upper Solano. Please take a few minutes to give your input through his easy survey.

Want more restaurants and fewer vacancies? Do we need more trees, public art, or wi-fi spots? Have an opinion about the panhandling on Upper/East Solano? Would you like to see more benches and outdoor seating? Plus there's a space for comments to vent about other items not included in the survey (We've heard a lot of choice things about the pay-and-display parking meters....).

Solano Avenue Survey

Solano Stroll Events - Sunday, September 12th

This year By Hand will have a booth directly in front of our store featuring two East Bay jewelry artisans, Terri Boone and Jessie Kearse. By Hand shoppers will certainly recognize them since they've been working in the store for years, continually filling our jewelry case with beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Terri Boone was born In San Francisco in the late 60's and has lived in the Berkeley Hills most of her life. She began designing jewelry while at UC Berkeley. She is inspired by jazz, poetry, vintage jewelry as well as memories of the Bay from her front room window, the sky's sunset concerts, and the sound of the wind whispering through the redwoods in August. She says "like everyone else, my influences are vast and random. Each memory and smell and color and song are strung together like the beads of a necklace."

Terri's ingredients are simple, semi precious stone, Italian glass, swarovski crystal combined with gold and silver elements. She works with asymmetry to create unexpected focal points and looks to highlight the subtle patterns within the overall piece. Her designs are saturated with color and are rich in texture "I like it when the sublime clashes with bold and when smooth and refined textures are interrupted by raw mine cuts. I desire to offer something slightly off-centered and a little unpredictable while not overwhelming the overall harmony of the piece." Terri Boone Designs has been featured at By Hand for over fifteen years.

Hailing from the East Coast, Jessie Kearse arrived in the East Bay ready to unleash her creative talents. Starting with singing, guitar, and poetry Jessie has always needed to express herself in some artistic way. Although beading has always been in the background it was during her time working at Ethnic Arts in Berkeley that her bead collection became more then a hobby. "Most jewelry makers know what I'm talking about." While working at Baubles and Beads Jessie took classes to refine her art and define her beading voice. It was then that her bead collection turned into wearable art. "I seek to create pieces which convey a sense of natural elegance and timelessness. My favorite stones include fresh water pearls, coral, amber, tiger's eye, Quartz, amethyst, and labradorite. Depending on your mood, my pieces can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt or a cocktail dress."

For over a decade Jessie has used vintage beads throughout her Coco Bean collections. Presently Jessie is producing earth tone pieces complemented by silver clasps and vermeil settings. She loves to work with crystal. Jessie looks to reflect the individual beauty of each stone setting them into a harmonious statement as a gift to each wearer. "My art is intentional in that each stone is matched with others to create a specific look which then becomes an extension of the wearer. I was recently told by one client that my jewelry makes people feel good about themselves and that too is intentional."

On Stroll Day be sure to venture inside By Hand to take advantage of Solano Stroll specials on new fall merchandise.

You can also enter our drawing for a $1,200 Shopping Spree at By Hand. That's right -- one lucky shopper will receive a $100 By Hand gift card in the mail every month for a year! Entry forms will be available at By Hand during regular store hours beginning Saturday, September 4th through Sunday September 12th. Entries close at 5 p.m. on Solano Stroll day.

If you're looking for a real bargain, you can try your luck at our Sale Rack Spin Off. Choose any item from one of our summer clearance sale racks, then spin the prize wheel to receive at least an additional 10% off, and up to 50% off, the lowest sale price. 'Round and 'round the wheel will spin....when it stops there's even a possibility you'll get the item free!

Hope to see you strolling!

Paula, on behalf of the By Hand staff