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

Jag Jeans Fall Trunk Show

Lifting, shaping, and slimming in all the right places. Jeans so comfortable you forget you're wearing them. That's the mission of Jag Jeans...to merge style and comfort and fashion and fit.

The fall, Jag Jeans boasts an updated cut with a cleaner and slimmer line. Need some help with the new shape?

On Thursday, August 19th from 5pm-8pm, By Hand is hosting a Jag Jeans trunk show featuring the latest twill, corduroy, and denim pants from the fall 2010 season.

Rob Gaon from Jag Jeans will be on hand to answer questions and help with fit. Please join us to view the new collection. reap the benefits of Rob's advice, and special order items not available at By Hand.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Perfect Fit: Jag Jeans

I have a closet full of skirts and dresses, but pants are hard to come by.  Every year, I diligently try on pants.  Every year, I give up with a sigh.  I spend the winter being cold.  This year, I have had it.  I am tired of being cold.  I am finding a pair of pants.

I try on different designers, leg shapes, sizes, and rises...all the things I advise people to do.  I run in and out of the dressing room, listening to comments from my colleagues. "Granny."  "Saggy, baggy."  "You look like you're wearing something you dragged out of your father's closet."  Here at By Hand, we tell it like it is.  Clearly this is not going well.

I decide I need a low-rise, boot cut jean.  I look for my size and realize it is GONE.  Somebody bought my pants!  Scooped them up right from under my nose.  My colleague suggests I try on the Jag Jeans denim leggings. I mumble something about wanting boot cut.  After some coaxing, I pull on the denim leggings.  And lo and behold.  They fit and look good.  Plus, they are super comfortable.  I do not need the low-rise, boot cut.  I need these.  Sometimes even the shopkeeper requires a little help.

By Hand is pleased to offer a little help from one our favorite designers.  On Thursday, August 19th from 5pm-8pm, Rob Gaon from Jag Jeans will be at By Hand with the entire Jag collection (including items we don't usually carry).  This is your chance to find the perfect fit and stock up in every color.  As usual, refreshments will be provided.  Eat some sushi, and tell Rob how much you love your Jag jeans.  Pair your Jag pants up with a Pure sweater and you're good to go.  Here's to keeping warm this winter.

Grown-up Sexy: Nneka Clothing

I once received a text message in the middle of the night about a Nat Nast shirt, "Never has an article of clothing given me so much game, or made me feel so cool. Thank you." Nothing like a shopkeeper's work well done.

The power of a Nat Nast shirt never fails to amaze me. They've carried men through the anxiety of a 50th birthday. They've induced wives to bribe their husbands with sex ("Try it on; it'll improve your sex life...").  There is something about these shirts that evoke emotion and stir up imagination.  Good clothes will do that.

When designer Penelope Adibe sent me the link to the new Nneka collection, I took a peek and thought, "I am no longer cool enough to wear her clothes." I mean, just look at the model. But I kept thinking about the sliced neck dress. I found myself clicking on her website every few days. Finally, I went and tried it on. Did I look like the model? The answer to that would be a flat out, "No."  But I did look amazing (if I do say so myself). Sexy...in a grown-up way. I remembered the text about the Nat Nast shirt. Cooler?  Check.  More game?  Check.  Added bonus:  no complicated bra needed. 

Nneka is coming to By Hand!  On Friday June 4th from 4pm-8pm, By Hand is having a special after hours event featuring local designers Nneka Clothing and Bright Light Designs Jewelry.  Join us for nibbles and treats.  Celebrate fashion, friendship, and looking and feeling your best. 

Added bonus:  10% off all menswear during our after hours event!  Get a jump on Father's Day.  Pick up something to give the ego a little boost.  Check out the Nat Nast collection.  All men's clothing will be 10% off Friday June 4th from 4pm-8pm.

Nneka & Bright Light Designs

Mother-Daughter Trunk Show & Open House