HAMPTON | The opening of BEad CREATIVE in Hampton is the culmination of owner Cathi Remington's new life direction after the events of 9-11. She found herself traveling much less and looking for other outlets for her energy.

Starting with some bead classes, she advanced to private classes in "lampworking", the art of producing custom blown glass beads. From there, her passion for the art grew into a desire to share the rewards of designing and creating beautiful things through teaching classes of her own and having a retail boutique where clients can learn the techniques to make their own creations or have custom pieces made to order.

Cathi is one of the leading dealers of Swarovski crystals in New Hampshire, and also carries Bali sterling silver, Thai silver, findings for all types of jewelry, and 300 colors of seed beads, as well as a line of wedding gifts for brides and bridesmaids.

A former Marine, Cathi is quite familiar with the struggles that soldiers and their families experience. She has patented an elegant silver and crystal bracelet named "A Soldier's Hug," from which she is donating 10 percent of the proceeds to the Veterans Administration, earmarked for assistance to military families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

The bracelet can be purchased through the boutique or from the website www.asoldiershug.com.

Visit Cathi at BEad CREATIVE, located at 868 Lafayette Road, Suite 3 in Hampton, or call (603) 926-8844 for information on the times and days of the more than 15 types of classes offered. Boutique hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.