Face to Face: Asta Drukteinienė

At Beadingschool, creativity sparkles brightest when it’s shared—like beads strung together into something beautiful. We love celebrating the stories behind the jewelry, the beaders who create them, and the people who inspire all of us.

This Face to Face interview introduces a beader who leaves us speechless with her Mini challenge pieces. Each creation tells its own story, full of detail, harmony, and unmistakable personality. Her signature style—and the thoughtful way she photographs her jewels—make her work instantly recognizable. It’s fascinating to witness how her journey unfolds, how each challenge becomes a new opportunity for growth, and how much dedication she puts into every bead.

So take a moment to settle in, enjoy the beauty of her artistry, and join us in discovering the inspiring story behind her beading path.

Meet the Beadingschool Club member, talented beader,

and multiple mini challenge winner, Asta Drukteinienė.

Please tell us about yourself a bit! When and how did you start to create? How did you learn to bead?  

My name is Asta, and I live in the small town of Šiauliai, Lithuania. Founded in 1236, Šiauliai is often called the “Sun City” because of the Battle of the Sun.

I’m married and have a daughter. I hold a PhD in Technology Science, and over the years I’ve worked as a university IT lecturer and as a systems analyst at one of Lithuania’s largest telecommunications companies. These days, I work as a systems analyst at an IT company that develops logistics systems.

My journey with beads began about nine years ago, all because I needed a belt for a dress. I couldn’t find anything I liked in the shops, so I decided to make one myself. I’ve been knitting since childhood, so working with yarn didn’t feel intimidating. While searching online for ideas, I stumbled upon amazing jewelry made from tiny and large beads, cabochons, pearls, and crystals. That discovery changed everything.

I started small: thick orange yarn, large plastic beads, and a YouTube tutorial. With those, I made my very first belt and bracelet in the macramé style. I loved it so much that I promised myself I’d buy more beads and learn how to make unique jewelry. And that’s exactly what I did. I bought a beginner’s kit with beads and tools, plus a pendant tutorial, which I later re-created in the colors of the Sayulita Sunset subscription box.

Most of what I know, I’ve learned from YouTube tutorials. Over time, I’ve fallen in love with techniques like micro-macramé and French beading, especially creating delicate beaded flowers. I’ve even won a few challenges with these designs, hosted by a bead shop in the UK.

 

Is beadwork your hobby or profession? How does your average day look like? When do you have time to create? 

Beadwork is my hobby. I typically do my beadwork in the evenings after a long day at work, unless I’m too tired, or I work on it during the weekends.

 

What did beading bring to your life?

I’ve always loved colors, even though I’ve never considered myself an artist. That’s why one of my favorite hobbies for many years was knitting multi-colored sweaters — the more colors, the better! Moving from knitting to beading felt like a natural step. Both bring me calm after a busy day, help me release stress, and fill me with joy as I admire all the colors coming together. But perhaps the most special part of beading has been discovering its vibrant community — a place where everyone celebrates each other’s achievements and shares the beauty of their creations.

 

Tell us about the piece of jewelry that is special for you or you are the most proud of! 

One of the pieces of jewelry I’m most proud of is the necklace I created for the mini challenge “Fly Me to the Moon.” It was only my second bead embroidery project, yet it felt like a huge leap for me. As a beginner, it was the biggest and most difficult piece I had ever attempted — and finishing it filled me with an incredible sense of pride and joy.

 

Where do you like to create? Do you have a designated area in your home where you keep your beads? 

I don’t have a special crafting room — I bead right at my computer table, surrounded by little jars and boxes of beads. Each bead has its own place, though by now the space feels far too small and definitely in need of a good reorganization.

 

What is your favorite stitch? Which colors do you like the most? On the other hand, is there any color or color combination you try to avoid? 

I enjoy exploring all kinds of beading stitches, love beaded loom jewelry and spiral ropes. I love working with every color — even simple black and white. But if I had to choose just one, my personal color would be red: the color of passion and vitality.

 

Do you follow instructions or do you like to develop your own designs? How would you define your style?  

In my jewelry-making journey, I do a bit of both — following tutorials and creating my own designs. Tutorials help me learn new techniques and expand my creativity. One design that truly captivated me, and even led me to Beadingschool, was the Marella pendant. At first, I didn’t have much experience designing on my own. My very first creation was a summery necklace with matching earrings, featuring shells, freshwater pearls, and a Dutch spiral stitch. After discovering Beadingschool and diving into their tutorials, I began to draw inspiration from the creativity of designers, which encouraged me to start developing my own ideas.

I don’t think I’ve found my personal style just yet. With each new design, I try to add something I’ve never explored before.

Who are your favorite designers? Why? 

I can’t choose a single favorite designer, as I admire each of them. Every designer has a unique style and technique that inspires me in different ways.

 

Do you have a favorite design by Erika? Tell us about it!   

I admire all of Erika’s beautiful designs, but the ones that hold a special place in my heart are the lessons that opened the door to the new world of bead embroidery. The Traveler’s Pendant tutorials, together with the bead embroidery toolkit, gave me the courage and inspiration to try this technique.

 

Which is the bead / component in your stash which you treasure the most? Do you already have plans on how to use it?

I treasure a few special components in my collection, especially the exquisite art cabochons and the delicate butterfly filigree from the advent calendar. That butterfly filigree feels particularly precious to me — it was made in a limited quantity and will never be produced again. Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about how I might use these unique pieces, and I know that when the right moment comes, they will find their place in a truly special design.

 

If you could design something for a well-known person or maybe a fictional character from a film or book, who would it be, and why? 

I haven’t really thought about it before, but I would love the opportunity to create unique jewelry pieces for a fashion designer. To see my work come alive on the runway, telling a story through beads and colors, would be a dream come true.

What are your plans for the future as a beader? Is there something you would really like to learn? 

I want to keep deepening my knowledge and skills in bead embroidery, and one of my dreams is to learn how to create tutorials. I already have a few design ideas waiting to be shared, and even though I’m still figuring out how to turn them into lessons, I’m excited about the journey ahead.

 

Where can we see and/or buy your designs? 

You can explore my creations at my little e-shop, which I started more than five years ago after losing my job. Today, it remains a small but meaningful way to support my hobby. You can also find me on my Facebook page, @adkaroliukumagija, where I love to share my work.

 

 

 

Thank you for answering our questions and sharing more about your beading journey, Asta!

We’re delighted you’re beading with us. May your journey in bead embroidery continue to bring you joy and discovery. We wish each step you take deepens your skills, sparks new designs, and opens doors to sharing your creativity with the world.

 

Dear beading-friends and beadwork admirers, please, use the comment section if you have more questions you would like to ask, or greet our Asta.

Stay tuned for more interviews for Beadingschool.com by Erika Sándor.