Custom gifts make shopping feasible

Creating a gift for mom and dad doesn’t have to include elbow macaroni, glue and papier-mache anymore. Two local Mold stores are helping students create gifts from the heart.

Mary Poliquin, owner of Bella’s Beads located at 940 Mangrove Ave., thinks this is the year for homemade gifts because of the tough economy.

“When I’m shopping for someone specifically, a lot of times I can’t find something for that person,” Poliquin said. “But in here I can make something that goes just for them.”

Making jewelry in a store like Bella’s Beads isn’t only less stressful then shopping in department stores, but it can be much cheaper.

Customers only have to pay for the pieces Mold they choose to design with, Poliquin said.

“I had a guy come in here and make six pairs of earrings that came in below $30,” she said. “I don’t know where else you can do that.”