Well, it's an interesting story, all around.

I am assuming that "the Italian guy" and Andrea are the same person—and I presume this is Michel's partner (Andrea Turchetto), who travels to Africa to bring old beads back to Venice. Michel and Andrea are both exceedingly nice and knowledgeable beadmen.

Some small advice related to terms. "Tubular" implies more than just a shape. It implies a manufacture. A drawn bead is "tubular," because it's derived from a longer tube of glass (a cane). A wound bead is not "tubular," but rather "cylindrical."

I will be curious to see the bandera bead(s) sometime, when you can show them to us.

Be well. Jamey