Hands Gallery

OK, but little real ART
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Cute, but no cigar, as many items are made in China…
While some of the handmade stuff is interesting, it is more of the generic
appeal to tourists type… or good for last minute X-​mas shopping & such.
True Art Gallery’s usually has stuff that costs in the hundreds to many thousands.
But if you are in the market for costume jewelry, or need a modest gift, this could be
for you.
As for me, I did not find anything special that I would buy for my house, except for the cool
Solar power earth globes… but at $ 140+ up, I felt it was not worth it.
Now if it was not mass produced & collectable… maybe…but many of these things break after a year or so… and then you have a $ 140+ paperweight.
Another cool item was a few of their $ 45 – 60 X-​mas ornaments (but you cannot see the inside, unless backlight), but the cheaper ones were just garish.
The hardwood items at first looked good, but when I looked closer, it was not made of Koa, nor any precious wood.
Despite the rush of X-​mas shoppers, someone did a good job of helping me, but when I turned some items upside down to see where they were made & saw China… well that was a let down.
You can find better craft/​art stores down in Solvang or in the Cambria Area (think Harmony Glassworks).
Hands is good for a modest gift for a co-​worker or maybe your MIL… ha…ha…
It is kind of sad that true Art Galleries do not thrive here as well as in Carmel or SF… but they have far richer clientele.

I like this store and all of their unique and beautiful things, unfortunately I probably won’t be back. Only once have I had great service, when picking out a beautiful necklace for my mom, but other than that it’s been just alright. However, my boyfriend and I went in last Sunday evening to look for unique decorations for our house, and I was appalled at the service, or lack there of. We entered, and not a word was said to us. Two young girls stood at the register talking (both employees) and wouldn’t stop to acknowledge us… Or the other 3 people in the store. We walked around, found things we liked, all the while they stood there talking, not asking if we wanted help or had any questions… Like someone in the costumer service industry should. But the kicker was when we got back up to the front to look at their gorgeous jewelry and they still said nothing, but instead we’re talking about where they like to hang out and drink. So, we left with no purchases, not because we didn’t want to, but because I was so upset with that lack of service. But I know one of the girls likes to «get her drink on» at Black Sheep, so I guess that’s something.

Cute spot! Lots of eclectic artistic items. We were looking at some of the prints in the back. This place is full of higher-​quality items and has a very warm quality. The staff seemed very friendly and were happy to help. It’s located on the main stretch in SLO, which has surprisingly easy parking.

A true gem in downtown SLO! Their inventory changes often and there is always wonderful things. For almost every occasion they have the perfect gift. I often go in without any ideas, I tell an employee the occasion and my budget and they always give me options. Also, the gift wrapping is darling!

Hands Gallery is a really great store with unique, handmade items. My family and I visited from out of town yesterday, and then came back this morning to buy some of the items we spotted yesterday. We shopped all afternoon in San Luis and found nothing to compare to the original pieces we found at Hands Gallery– which was one of our first stops. It’s a must see for anyone shopping in SLO!

I really like this store. In fact, I bought a beautiful Pyrra necklace for my last Christmas at Hands Gallery. She treasures it.
I spent yesterday looking for a unique sympathy card. The card shop across the street said they were closing because their rent had been increased to $ 10,000 per month. They were selling everything at 75%, but unfortunately there weren’t any sympathy cards. So, it was only natural for me to stop at Hands.
The store was fairly busy. There were only two clerks (from what I could tell) in the shop, both behind the register. One of the clerks was asked for assistance, a young blond girl with a diamond nose stud. She said, «I’ll be a minute» without ever looking up from behind the counter at the person who spoke to her. I stood around the card tower and wondered if the card I liked was appropriate to send someone who’s father recently passed. After 10 minutes, I asked a fellow shopper for her opinion, since both clerks were still behind the register.
When I walked up to the counter, the blond girl greeted me with «Is that all?» I affirmed it was and handed her my American Express card. She flatly said, «We don’t take American Express.» Her tone was a little off. I replied, «Oh, ok» with a curious smile and dug out my Visa card. She accepted the card without a smile, a look in the eye, or a Thank You.
After ringing up my order, she returned my card and the receipt I needed to sign and said «Here you go.» I signed my charge and handed it back to her, again smiling and wondering if she had recently had some dental work done. Maybe that’s why she seemed so sour? She put the paperwork away and walked around the counter to finally help the person who asked for it 15 minutes earlier. She was wearing beach sandals, which I guess is appropriate dress for someone planning to go to Pismo Beach after work.
If the owner of Hands is reading this review, let me say how Customer Service is important. I’m sure you know this, but what might be forgotten is how Customer Service can be more important to the shopper than the item being purchased. It really is no different than getting crappy service from a waiter in a fine restaurant.
You have a lovely store with unique and beautiful items. But, in a city were building owners are raising rents, shouldn’t business owners and their employees make their best effort to ensure shoppers enjoy their purchases? It costs you nothing in having a trained employee learn the importance of a smile, offering a warm greeting and closing a sale with «Thank you for visiting us. I hope you enjoy your purchase and look forward to seeing you again.» Ignoring this little detail though will sure make it difficult over time to keep up with the rent.

This store if full of art, much of which is functional. Sure they have stuff you can hang on the wall or display on a table but they also have art that can be used every day. Things like salt and pepper shakers, candle holders, furniture and pottery. They also have plenty of jewelry. I bought a cool wiener dog pendulum clock as a gift; they have numerous crazy clocks.
The prices seemed quite reasonable to me and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Hands Gallery is a must stop when we have out of town guests. The breadth of their art and the quality of the pieces make this a favorite stop. The selection is quite eclectic, and to some degree defies description. If you are looking for an odd set sof salt and pepper shakers, or an incredible engraved dinner table, or hundreds of items in between, there seems to be something for everyone here! Go Often, increase art collection and enjoy life!

This place has the best and most unique jewelry that I have seen. For ever occasion they seem to have the perfect gift. They have some amazing art and sculptures as well. The staff is very helpful and eager to answer any questions you may have. It is such a cute place! I always find a million things in here.

Beautiful, unique gallery. I love their jewelry selection! However, I do feel that some of the artwork is a bit overpriced for what it is, but everyone is entitled to price their artwork however they see fit.

My girlfriend is always dragging me into the stores downtown and Hands is probably the only place I actually like going (or at least can tolerate). Not that I am an expert on art galleries or anything but this place seems cool to me because they have a lot of fun and unusual little things. There are some definitely expensive things but there are also a faor amount of things that aren’t too pricey. I guess I haven’t really bought anything here but certainly do enjoy perusing far more than any other place I get dragged to.

Love and hate this place. Such cute jewelry and great things for gifts but dang! So freaking expensive!

Lots of cute stuff for a good price.

Even though I’m not a local (yet) I frequent the SLO area probably 4 times a year and over the years have visited Hands Gallery probably upwards of 50 times. They do have some cute stuff, but after my last visit I’m done spending money there due to the same problem many of the previous reviewers have mentioned — the attitude of the ladies who work there. I was in there last week, doing some shopping, looking in a jewelry case in the front of the store and I felt one of the blond ladies staring at me. I looked up, looked her right in the eyes and said a pleasant hello, mostly to try and alleviate the awkward tension of feeling watched. I received no response. Nothing. I shook my head and walked out, but was still fuming five minutes later so I walked back in and up to the counter where she was working with another woman behind the counter at the computer. It took her a good 20 seconds to look up from the computer at which point I said something to the effect of, I don’t know if you’re the owner (she said she wasn’t), but I was just in here and looked directly at you and said hello and you couldn’t be bothered to respond at all and I think it was incredibly rude. I’ve encountered this before here and heard it from a few other people as well. She said sorry and that maybe that was something they should work on but you know the saying it’s 10% what you say and 90% how you say it? She didn’t seem sorry and I don’t think her demeanor will change. I am puzzled as to why the owner would continue to employ people who condescend to and alienate their customers.

Cute gallery located in downtown SLO!
Stop by!

Love this local place with handmade local items, Love love love the Lisa Leonard jewelry that you can purchase here or at
I want to own every one of her pieces.

It was a really cute store with lots of stuff to look at — great place to find a gift or two. The lady who worked there was super nice and let us bring our dog in — but it might have been because she was super-​emotional watching the chilean miners being rescued. :)
If back in the area, I will stop in to see what’s new.

I heart Hands Gallery! :)
Great place to find one of a kind gifts for your girlfriend! *hint hint* ;) Local artists sell their affordable pieces here! You’ll find unique items from jewelry to home décor to cute knick knacks!
I love coming here to just browse around! And I always want to buy the whole store! I’ve gotten tons of gifts for my good friends! I’ve bought Dogeared necklaces, kaleidoscopes, little keepsake boxes, cute useless stuff! If you ask them to wrap it, they’ll package it nicely with some colorful yarn too! :)
Tips:
— Great unique gifts that your significant other would love!
— Annual trunk sale in November (10%off)
— Get on their mailing list for store events!
— Must stop by the «sale» table, usually 50% off

Hands has a wonderful collection of items. I especially love the delicate necklaces they have. The jewelry, among other items are quite pricey, but beautiful to look at.
However, the people who work there eye-​ball every move you make. It’s somewhat offending how much they watch your every move and are so distrusting. The employees don’t even acknowledge your presence, but they sure do know exactly where you are in the store. I usually cut my visit short because I feel so uncomfortable.

When I was younger, in my first couple years of college, and had first gone into this little store, I loved it. Now that I’m a bit older, with more experience *shopping* in downtown boutiques in other areas of the world, which pretty much sell the same type of items (hand made pottery, candles, jewelry, etc.), I can say with great confidence that every time I’ve come here with friends or family, the main women who work behind the counter need to take a course in customer service.
I don’t care if they are the owners of this boutique or not. They’re no multibillion dollar industry, such as a Louis Vuitton Boutique, and yet these two old prudes behind the counter act as though they own boutiques all around Paris.
Now that I’m a bit older, and have visited this place passing through not too long ago, I wanted to give it one last chance.
Same thing. Things haven’t changed. How many customers did I see walk through their door, including myself, and no acknowledgement whatsoever… no interaction at all. Even while I was looking at all the jewelry and key chains in front of their faces.
Do they only cater to friends? Locals who visit DAILY?
Well I’ve got news for this boutique: you are located downtown. The heart of a tourist spot, especially since there is a college campus with many non-​locals attending Cal Poly. Hellooooo?
Needless to say, I won’t be coming back. There are much cuter boutiques to visit next door, across the street and a block or two away from Hands Gallery.
Sooo, So long, farewell, there’s others that are bet-​ter (singing to the tune of Sound of Music’s «So Long, Farewell» song) ;p