Obviously, I’m more of a spender than a saver. And I leave all stock and bond trading to my financial adviser, aka ShopGuy. But right now, I’m riding the market bubble.

See, last Thursday, ShopGirl Jr. and I experienced the beauty that is Bangor’s Outdoor Marketplace. Part farmers market, part craft fair, this weekly event is all fun. And it’s a shopper’s paradise.

The edibles – including Donna’s Daily Bread, Shipwreck Coffee, Worcester’s Wild Blueberries, veggies from Valley Farm and divine marinated chevre from Udder View Farm – are new to the market this year. The selection of bags, rugs, pottery, toiletries, housewares and jewelry keeps growing, too, and the current lineup includes nearly 40 booths.

Clearly, this a bull market.

But I had animals other than bulls on my mind. First, I thought of ShopDogs Stella and Cassidy, who will benefit from my purchase of Brook Street Kitchen’s sweetly scented Doggie Soap. The BSK gals have been a market standby since the inaugural year, and I can’t get enough of their products. Nor can my sister, whose allergies prevent her from using most handmade toiletries.

Next, my thoughts turned to the donkeys dancing across a brightly printed bag by Chased Babes (made by Sally Bates, an artisan who is also the market’s organizer). And a Lion’s Paw caught my eye, as well. Make that Lion’s Paw Jewelry by Mandy Williams, who creates captivating, tiny worlds in glass.

Then there were the pigs – or P.I.G.s – which stands for Perfect Impression Gifts, maker of exquisite wooden cutting boards and sushi servers. More into dogs and cats? You might try Uniquely Deb’s pocket pets, which are minuscule, intricately painted animal portraits. New to the lineup is custom-made photo jewelry, as well.

Enough about the animals, though. It wouldn’t be summer without flowers, and the market was overflowing with them. Silk painter Michael Shyka brought a bevy of blossoms on his handmade scarves, while Jody Clayton of One Lupine Fiber Arts offered vibrant felted place mats with a floral design, as well as silk and wool scarves and tops. If you’re not free on Thursdays, Clayton recently opened a storefront on Park Street in Bangor.

Ken Carpenter’s bold wool flower pins caught my eye – he uses the scraps from his folk art-inspired hooked rugs to make them. Shirley Lowery showed off her gorgeous pressed flower art, while Lisa Salisbury of Willow and Me Jewelry Design presented vintage-inspired flower pins, pressed-leaf pendants and adorable “beaded bouquets.”

Jewelry lovers – and accessories fiends like Junior and me – have no shortage of options at the market. I picked up a chic reversible headband from A New Creation, and I’m wild about the monster bags from Tree Heckler’s Howling Threads Studio, as well – they’re perfect for kids or adults with a sense of humor. Among the new vendors is Barbara Tucker, whose quilted “Tucker Totes” are bright and fun.

Suzanne Anderson is back with her stunning beaded necklaces, while Terry Strickland offers sterling creations. One cool new addition to the market is the shell jewelry created by Sue Priest – it makes a statement. Jewelry artisans Sarah Shaafi and Karalyn Dalton round out the mix. And I’m wild about Angela Mitchell’s Earth and Sky designs.

Speaking of earth, there’s great pottery to be found at the Cabin Pottery booth and the Hammond Street Senior Center booth, which also offers hand-knitted items. Knits abound at the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program booth, as well.

I was happy to see that S.I.L.K. Glass is back with its elegant stained- and fused-glass designs, while Ymir Glass Studio has returned to offer flashy dichroic glass jewelry. Very cool. Also cool is the number of artists with work on display, including paintings by the aforementioned jewelry designers Suzanne Anderson and Sue Priest, along with Leigh Butler, Karen and Joseph Sites and Sandy Dolan, who also sells photographs.

Though I didn’t catch her during my visit, I’ve heard Cindy Rollins is selling dog apparel, and I can’t wait to see it. Though Stella might have other ideas.

ShopGirl Jr. and I had so much fun, we’re going back this week. Which means I may have to change my ways and set aside a little savings. This market may not have anything to do with the New York Stock Exchange, but I have plenty of investing I’d like to do.

If you go

What: Bangor Outdoor Marketplace

When: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 2

Where: Behind Pickering Square Parking Garage, downtown Bangor

Information: www.downtownbangor.com

Related events: Free Cool Sounds concerts from 7 to 8 p.m.; horse and carriage rides

Send ShopGirl 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. For exclusive online shopping tips, click on the ShopBlog icon on the bottom of the BDN homepage: bangordailynews.com.