Yep, you have to either make them yourself (somehow I doubt it, as you sound about as patient as I am)... Or you can just go buy them... Find a broker, do a search for the ability you are looking to upgrade to, and see if any are for sale... I found that most of the app 3 stuff sell for 4-5 silver, plus a few copper for the brokers fee on Permafrost.
I hope this helps out =)