HAMPTON -- The recent opening of BEad CREATIVE on Route 1 in Hampton was the culmination of owner Cathi Remington's new life direction after the events of September 11, 2001. She found herself traveling much less and looking for other outlets for her energy.

A knitter since age nine, Cathi decided to expand her creative side and started taking beading classes approximately three years ago. She quickly 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. She wanted to have a retail boutique where clients could learn the techniques to make their own creations or have custom pieces made to order.

Thus BEad CREATIVE was, indeed, created.

Cathi is one of the largest dealers of Swarovski crystal beads in New England, and also carries Bali sterling silver, Thai silver, findings for all types of jewelry, pearls, semi-precious stones, cabacions, 300 colors of seed beads, beads from around the world (Costa Rican, Australian, New Zealand) as well as a line of wedding gifts for brides and bridesmaids. She also offers beautiful hand-beaded lamps and bags.

Cathi is dedicated to finding exactly what her customers are looking for. Therefore, if she doesn't have it in the store, she will find it, order it and promises to have it in only a few days.

In addition to offering the materials to create handmade jewelry and the other unique treasures she offers in her boutique, Cathi also provides the instruction to do so. Offering both day and evening classes on topics such as beading, jewelry-making, basic wiring, kisses and hugs bracelets, pearl knotting, lamp-making and creating cabacions for that special gem you love, BEad CREATIVE is a wonderful addition to the area.

With beading and jewelry making at an all-time peak, it is wonderful to have a store specifically catering to the needs of those who enjoy this interesting field.

A former Marine, Cathi is very familiar with the struggles that soldiers and their families experience. Recently, she patented an elegant silver and crystal bracelet named "A Soldier's Hug," from which she is donating ten 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 in Iraq.

This increasingly popular bracelet can be purchased through the boutique or online, and has been positively recognized by the White House, which extended a dinner invitation to Cathi and her family.

This high-energy lady has also just graduated from Massage Therapy School and will soon be offering those services as well at "Extreme Fitness," right next door to her boutique. Her boyfriend, owner Michael Champagne, opened this past weekend and offers personal training and exercise equipment of all types.

Visit Cathi at BEad CREATIVE, located at 868 Lafayette Road, Suite 3 in Hampton, or call (603) 926-8844 for more 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.