Word to the wise: Don’t try to shop in Blue Hill on a Monday in March. Unless you need flaxseed oil at the co-op, you’ll be out of luck. Not one to let one failed pre-summer attempt deter me, I returned last Friday to find a completely different scene. This picturesque village comes alive after Memorial Day, and so do the shopping prospects.

I took the back way to avoid construction, which conveniently brought me to Asian World Imports. I could easily spend an entire day there. Owner Jeff Kaley travels far and wide to form relationships with his suppliers, and he pays them fair wages. This made me feel even better about my purchase – two passels of handmade paper from Nepal. If you’re a book artist or a crafter, this is a paper lover’s paradise.

My next stop was a fashion lover’s paradise: Sara Sara’s. Full of cute tops, sweet sundresses, fabulous shoes and sassy accessories, this boutique has the added bonus of being – gasp! – affordable. After a foray to the clearance room, I settled on a pair of funky earrings for $14.

I met up with my editor and her adorable toddlers, so the four of us crossed over to Handworks Gallery, where the girls headed to the kid-friendly backroom with marionettes, children’s clothing and wooden toys. We grown-ups drooled over pottery, swooned over the handpainted baby onesies and finally decided to buy handmade glass beads by Sihaya Hopkins. At $2 and $10 each, with a black cord to make a necklace, they felt like a bargain.

There were more bargains to be found across the street at New Cargoes. I didn’t know where to begin – with the funky handbags? The cool home furnishings? The fun flip-flops? I ended up buying a simple black bag for $12.95 and a hilarious Anne Taintor notebook for $9.95. Not a deal, per se, but worth it for kicks.

I knew I’d hate myself for it, but I couldn’t help stopping into Blue Hill Antiques to browse the fine selection of imports from France. Whether you’re looking for a lovely armoire, enameled house numbers or unique conversation pieces (LOVE the wine bottle dryers) this is the place. Alas, everything I wanted was well out of my price range, but a girl can dream.

Blue Hill is packed with antiques shops, and all of them are worth a visit. Ditto for the galleries. There’s something for art aficionados of all tastes in town. Among my favorite stops are the Leighton Gallery for contemporary art, Liros Gallery for amazing Russian religious icons, Mark Bell Pottery for gorgeous bowls and vases, and L. Balombini Studio, where Laura Balombini creates whimsical sculptures. Jud Hartmann Gallery features a series of bronze sculptures of “The Woodland Tribes of the Northeast.”

Since I’m a lover of literature – and independent bookstores – I visited North Light Books, which has a great sale section, and Blue Hill Books before popping into North Country Textiles to touch and see the rich handwoven offerings and cool handcrafts.

I’m a knitting fool, and Blue Hill Yarn Shop is one of my favorites, but since I was already over budget, I decided to steer clear (every time I’m in there I drop at least $40). On my way out of town, I couldn’t resist a stop at Village Boutique, an eclectic thrift shop in Surry with a great selection of clothing in good condition. I also popped into the Little Garden Shop, owned by Sweet Pea Gardens founder Susan Keating – I adore her cut flowers, beautiful gardening books and luxurious garden goodies.

Since I’m running out of space in the yard, I skipped Surry Gardens, one of the best nurseries and greenhouses I’ve seen in the state. But I’ll be back. I just need to clear a spot next to the rhododendron. The best part is, Surry Gardens is open on Mondays. In March, even.

ShopNotes

. Arts in the Park will provide a unique shopping opportunity this weekend at Heritage Park on Belfast’s waterfront. A total of 85 artists and artisans will offer everything from sturdy iron fish to delicate glass jewelry. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.fopb.org.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.

Destination: Blue Hill and Surry

Asian World Imports, Pleasant Street, Blue Hill, 374-2284

Blue Hill Books, 2 Pleasant St., Blue Hill, 374-5632

Blue Hill Antiques, 8 Water St., Blue Hill, 374-8825

Handworks Gallery, Main Street, Blue Hill, 374-5613

Jud Hartmann Gallery, Main Street, Blue Hill,

L. Balombini Studio, Main Street, Blue Hill, 374-5142

Leighton Gallery, Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, 374-5001

Liros Gallery, 14 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, 374-5370

The Little Garden Shop, 1278 Surry Road, Surry, 667-4730

Mark Bell Pottery, Route 15, Blue Hill

New Cargoes, 49 Main St., Blue Hill, 374-3733

North Country Textiles, Main Street, Blue Hill, 374-2715

North Light Books, Main Street, Blue Hill, 374-5422

Sara Sara’s, 3 Main St., Blue Hill, 374-2227

Sweet Pea Gardens, 614 Surry Road, Surry, 667-6751

Surry Gardens, Surry Road, Surry, 667-4493

Village Boutique, Surry Road, Surry