You can still put skill points into pickpocket and Lockpick (2nd test). Also, you can find or buy equipment with a bonus to these skills, if you don't want to use any skill points for them.
Try quick saving the game before talking to (or running your mouse over) a merchant, or hitting alt, then trade and quick load if you do not find what you are looking for.
Kistandalius in Ars Magicana, or maybe Corinna in Verdistis, would be good to look for rings/amulets with skill bonuses, but it might take awhile looking for something specific.
