Talk about equipment! And how you use it! Congratulations Danny
This is a tour de force

It's outstanding, Danny! This one really works for me! Not only the great stone, but the heft. This one has nice thick walls, making it sturdy to really wear. You are the Master Lopacktrian!

Magnificent, Danny! I really enjoyed the tutorial as well. Be sure to post the entire Lopactrian Series together when finished.

Terry,
This will be an on going series at this point I have 14 beads in the series. The beads are becoming more complicated as I go. This bead was inspired by three beads from three ancient cultures, Tairona, Chinese and Harappan.

I need to post images of the three styles so people can see what influenced me both here and on my FB page.Hope I get the chance to do it today.

All my best ..... Danny

...have it hanging around my neck on leather while clad in a black tux with a white shirt standing betwixt these two porphyry vases at the most elegant dinner party with the most wonderful people. And, I've not thought of a porphyry vase in the longest time.

...I'm thinking such an evening would simply have to end here with nothing but the bead around my neck and well...I just can't share the rest of my fantasy here.

...don't you just see it...hanging there?

...much more so than mine. So, if that's what your implication was...I agree. It's a better face, a better body dressed with better clothes and well, he'd have one of the greatest beads if it were indeed hanging there.

...if I were really adept, I would've photoshopped the image and he'd be standing in the party scene I'd described betwixt those two porphyry vases amongst a fabulous group of people(perhaps you'd be there Nishedha) all admiring that bead around his neck.

Disclaimer: In no way, whatsoever, was I attempting to make anyone think I am Joe Manganiello or the photographer(owner) of this photo. Or that I look anything like Joe.

And, Yes, Nishedha in comparison I am an ugly duckling.

...I think he did a great job. I can honestly say I had never felt as good about the way I look as I did after seeing this photo. I grew up with acne, thankfully that cleared up when I was out of school...though it had left it's scars. And, I have large pores which I don't think anyone finds desirable. Though that is indeed the contest I had entered and won when this photo was taken...Most Desirable Man. Granted, there was a small number of contestants and had any number more of what appeared to be hundreds of beautiful men always walking around Ft. Lauderdale decided to enter that day, I'm certain I would not have been the man on the cover.

And, like Joe, I have danced(stripped) in a bar and clubs. And, yes, he would have been more popular than me with the crowd, of this I am certain. I even auditioned for a part in the John Waters' movie "Cry-baby." I was working in the sister hotel of where the auditions were held and had been informed of the audition by another night auditor. It was more of a dance audition and I was selected after performing. Though we all had to go back to the production office where I was told afterwards that I looked too old for the part and probably would even if I had shaved my moustache. So, there went my big shot at being on the big screen. Yes, I give up just that easily...or, you could say that I know my own strengths and weaknesses.

I've often wished I looked like other people that I see or have desired some of their attributes I find appealing. JFK Jr. was one of those people...I thought he had it all...looks, hair, money, sex appeal...if I had been him where now would I be...so, I have learned to be content with who I am...Just Me.

So, Fred, now you know some of who I am. I don't really understand why you are so bothered by me and it does appear that you are. Or why you demanded that I "please stop" in a private e-mail. You signed off your messages "Just Fred." I was not signing off my messages. I chose JustMe as a screenname, your screenname is Frederick II. I personally don't think you really care about who I am. I think I could probably say the same of Nishedha. No, I don't design anything as well as either of you. I'm okay with that, I like my simple designs. Do I strive to make something as wonderful...yes, of course I would like that, though I may never...and that's okay as well.

It's evident that no one feels they can participate when I have created a thread and asked for participation. And, yes, Rosanna, I realize that no one is required to participate. But, the willingness or unwillingness in this case is what is in question, at least for me.

Why is Fred the only one allowed to do such things or expected to do such things which you gladly participate in...ironically, Fred doesn't always give examples of what he asks. I think I usually do, but that's JustMe.

So, now I do anticipate my removal from this forum...once again. I have the same passions as most everyone here. I truly love beads. Like everyone else here, I speak my mind. Though, I have learned not everyone may do that freely. I've been called names by some here that many admire. I do not call people names. I have pointed out hypocrisy.

I'm just saying...we are all the same...and unique.

Now, did you really want to know me.

....as you say "if this is your portrait, I want to congratulate the photographer." First, I'm giving you the credit that I believe you already knew this wasn't my portrait. So, based simply on the photo, it is a great photo, great subject(though this is subjective) and indeed the photographer whomever that is should be congratulated, whether it's my portrait or not. I'm not sure Joe could even take a bad photo. I know I do and find it difficult to get a good photo of myself. In fact, the pictures that the photographer took of me on that cover for some reason I always have liked.

I have only admired and complimented your designs. In fact, that was me that asked for the photo of your large mace head and showed a necklace I made that I thought paid homage to your design.

I would think that someone of an enlightened status as I believe you said you are...would not be as...well, insulting. I guess now others will come to your defense and tell me what you meant or implied. I don't understand why it was necessary. Of course, you as Nishedha will never be removed from this forum because you are afterall, Nishedha. And, I'm not saying that you should be...just making a point.

Maybe I got this all wrong, but I just don't get it.

It wasn't intended to be insulting, just a friendly joke -- although yes, I did know it was a risky one. But, isnt't riskyness in the very nature of jokes?
Of course, it is also true that jokes are best shared between friends -- that a deeper knowledge of the "other" minimalizes the likeness of an unwanted negative reaction. Still, is there a "negative" reaction at all? It is widely assumed that no experiment fails. And great frienships sometimes arouse from ominous starting moves.

I realize this also: my "insulting" sentence was poorly cast, its meaning far from crystal clear. It happens when -- as is my case -- you have stolen your education by tidbits on the outskirts of the Metropoli, like a daring sparrow. Sadly, I have now forgotten what I really was trying to tell.
No matter, "a lo dicho, pecho" -- as we translate into barbarian Spanish Caesar's famous outburst: "ALEA IACTA EST".

Lets zero in: feeling distressed, asking for your forbearance.

...as a gay man...I have never liked the idea of someone tolerating me...I think that's what you do with a yapping dog. Even though the word tolerance is used in the definition of forbearance..I still find forbearance a much nicer sounding word. I appreciate your reply.

...what's most important is how you act and how you treat others. I know I can always do better.

Here is an image of three ancient beads that inspired the bead you see here. Top bead Indus valley, middle bead Chinese and third Tairona culture.

I assume most can see all three designs in this one bead.

All my best .... Danny

...more about the Chinese bead. I'm guessing that at least two of these three beads are in your possession.