Hi Michelle:
The style of bead you're looking for is called a "Tornado" or "Twisty/Twisted" Bead! Here's a wonderful tutorial on how to do it by MZ Glass:
http://www.mzglass.com/twistytutorial.htm
There is also this thread on LE here where there was a bit of discussion and definitely a nice set pictured using this technique by Deb of Jaternunky. If you search "Tornado Bead" on the main LE search engine, you'll probably find more info.
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...hlight=tornado
Definitely show us what you do, PLEASE!?!
DeAnne in CA