Davide

(pronounced dah-veed-eh)
First name of 99% of all Italian men.
Makes things quite easy, if you’re like me and can never remember anyone’s name. Just call everyone ‘Davide’ and you will fit right in.

Davide Penso

A friendly Muranese beadmaker and lampwork teacher. Just get off the Vaporetto at the Museo stop – his shop is right there, and if you’re nice, he’ll let you watch him work!
http://www.davidepenso.com

Davide Salvadore

Maestro of Murrini and Muranese Madman. This guy TOUCHES GLOWING HOT GLASS WITH HIS BARE FINGERS, without so much as a flinch. I saw it with my own eyes. I swear I do not make this stuff up.
http://davidesalvadore.com

Democrazy

1. The Italian word for ‘Democracy’ (you must admit, that in itself is kind of funny).
   
   
2. A lampwork “jam session” at the studio, where everyone gets on a torch and starts a bead, then passes it on to the next person, then the next, etc., ending up with some pretty crazy results (okay, in some cases, just crazy results). Fun!

I have absolutely no idea how 1 became 2, but I can’t think of a better name for it. I’m guessing 1 and 2 are probably not pronounced the same.

Demonstration

On one of the first evenings in Murano, I gave a little demonstration at the studio – where I found myself making a blue variation of the Barbie Bead, with Pati Walton and Corina Tettinger watching (among many others). Like, seriously, Pati and Corina were watching me make a bead. Like… seriously.
(See Ego-trip)

Photo by Indi

Diana East

Fabulous British beadmaker, brimming with creativity (I myself experienced many ‘how the hell did she come up with THAT idea?!’ moments) and always happy to explain, demonstrate and share her secrets. Di is really a gem of a person, and I am honored to know her.
(Have I mentioned I’ll be teaching at her studio in late August of this year? You should come!)
http://www.diana-east.co.uk

Diet Coke

Known in Europe as ‘Cola Light’ – diet coke is one of two types of fuel Sarah ABSOLUTELY NEEDS in order to make a decent bead.
(See MAPP Gas)

Dorothy

Can someone send me Dorothy’s e-mail address? She sent a bottle of wine to my hotel on the last day, along with packets of tomato and basil seeds – how sweet is that? I’d really like to thank her and I’m not sure if she reads my blog. (In case she does: you rock, gal!)