A few months ago, I bought a lovely lampworked bead made by a pair of local glass artisans. Feeling inspired, I went to A.C. Moore, where I picked up a roll of plastic-coated steel wire and a few jewelry findings.

I went home, set up a makeshift workbench in my kitchen (ShopGuy would not be happy about this, seeing as he recently made a nice, shiny butcher’s block countertop) and ran around the house collecting all of my very precise jewelry-making implements, such as a battered pair of tweezers and a rusty hammer.

After hitting my thumb a few times, I emerged with a simple yet elegant necklace for my mom. Not to toot my own horn – OK, toot, toot – but it was gorgeous! Buoyed by my success, I returned to A.C. Moore, stocked up on art-glass beads and decided to make necklaces for every celebration.

Birthdays? Check. Mother’s Day? Awwww, yeeeah. Secretary’s Day? Youbetcha! And I don’t even have a secretary.

There I was, thinking I was all crafty and hip. Truly feeling like I had stumbled on something fresh and new – unlike scrapbooking and rubber stamping, two boats I totally missed. Then I discovered that everyone and their sister had caught on to the jewelry-making craze.

Be still my beading heart.

I mean, I should’ve known. If A.C. Moore had all that beading stuff, the hobby had to be fairly mainstream. Feeling devastated, I called my sister, ShopGirl Jr., who informed me that a bead shop had opened in Brewer, and another was set to open in Orono. In my own backyard. She doesn’t even make jewelry. And I hadn’t a clue. Where have I been?

Oh yeah, New York and Co. But that’s a story – and a Visa bill – for another day.

Orono already has a small but nice selection of jewelry findings and beads in The Store-Ampersand. (If you go, check out the lampworked beads by Ginny Whitaker and John Hackney, which range from $3 to $10 apiece – worth every penny.)

Since the new shop hasn’t opened, I decided to hit the beading path. First stop? Downeast Sticks ‘n Stones in Brewer, which has a mind-boggling array of beads. From millefiori to carved stone pendants, this place has everything, and a great selection of findings, to boot.

In my limited time beading, I’ve discovered a few things. First, you need to invest in good findings, from sterling silver clasps to silk beading cord. Otherwise, why bother making your own? Second, you need to have the right tools. You can pick them up at a hardware store or a craft store, but one crafter advised me that it’s best to just bite the bullet and get a Euro Tool, which I did, at The Beaded Moose in Bangor. It was a bargain at $5.95.

Of course, I couldn’t stop there. So I bought the makings of another great necklace for my mom: shimmering seed beads ($2.15 for a small tube), glittery bronze-black glass beads (10 cents each), and a few bargain strands of opaque glass beads in shades of blue and aqua for $1 apiece. Score!

Actually, I had quite a few scores on my treasure hunt. In Bangor, I stopped at Jo Ann, where an extremely helpful employee pointed out magazines chock full of design ideas, bargain beads and all of the accessories I’d ever need.

At Bella Colore in Blue Hill – which is THE place to find unique beads – I picked up all the makings for a carnelian and jade green necklace (for myself!) for under $7. I couldn’t resist the bold, carved centerpiece, the antique glass accents, and a handful of crystals to add a bit of shine to the whole thing.

Then I bought a few Asian-inspired reverse-painted beads. I have no idea what I’m going to do with them, but they certainly won’t go to waste.

The real find of the journey occurred at the Bead Menagerie in Bar Harbor, where I bought a necklace-long strand of ringed pearls – yes, real pearls – for $15. The young woman at the counter, a former art student who designs beautiful jewelry in the most amazing colors, gave me a few pointers.

I’m resigned to the fact that I’m never going to be as hip as she is. But I’m well on my way to designing great stuff for all my friends. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to know that they won’t be receiving knitted ponchos. Ever. Though I’m not giving up on my scarves.

Instead, I’m dreaming of a white Christmas – pearl white, that is – or maybe red and green. There’s always blue and silver for Hanukkah. And for New Year’s? Swarovski crystal.

It’s going to be a dazzling holiday season. Bead-dazzling, that is.

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 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.