i have my two female geckos for about 3 weeks now. i can put my hand down beside them no problem and they dont seem to mind me rubbing a finger against them, but.........if I try to pick either of them up they're gone in a second under one of there hides. should I leave them alone for a while or keep trying to pick them up?

You should give them a bit more time to settle in, 3 weeks may seem like plenty of time but it's not. Maybe give them another week or so and then try picking them up in their enclosure, put them in your hand so all 4 of their feet are on your hand (they will feel supported this way) and go from there.

When I got my very first female - Sheila ( My current males mother ) I broke the ice between us after about 4-5 Weeks of just observation, and eventually placing the meal worms which she grew to love, in my hands, she'd work up the gall to eat out of my hand, and eventually boarded for a pick up :]

Patience is a virtue for these guys, and handling them (When they are ready of course ) and feeding them by hand will build a trusting friendship