DIY Monogram Cake topper? Please help.

I ordered my cake topper from crafty eddy. It arrived and it looks great, but now I need to know what supplies to purchase.

I'd like to spray a reflective/mirror finish to the wood and then apply sparkly crystals. I went to AC Moore last night and was pretty much unsuccessful. I was able to find assorted sizes and colors in the regular rhinestones, but they werent nearly as sparkly as the swarvarski (sp?) crystals (not to mention the crystals were nearly triple the price for a quarter of the quantity!)

Where did you ladies purchase your cystals from without breaking the bank?

Also what kind of glue did you use. There were many different kind to choose from. As you can tell I am not much of DIY'er. TIA!

I used preciosa rhinestones (whatever that means!) but they are very shiny. I ordered them from a shop in California that had the best prices that I could find anywhere (FM me for the information if you're interested) It was about $3 for 144. I spray painted my letter from Ed with regular silver spray paint from walmart. Be sure to cover the spike (part that goes in the cake with masking tape or something, I didn't but probably should have ) DO NOT use that E600 hundred glue, it is sooooooooooooooooo toxic. I used the clear craft glue by Alson or some brand with an 'A' also from walmart. Goes on clear and dries clear so you can see what the hec you are really doing! Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to help! Good Luck