1. glass does not have a preferred direction for melting, it just melts, heat and gravity determine where the molten glass flows
2. given 1. it doesn't really matter which way you spin the mandrel when applying the base bead. Personally, I spin away as I can heat the rod as well get some heat into the base right where the molten glass is "landing" on the bead.
3. after you get a base bead, apply glass any way that makes you happy
I sometimes dab it on if I just want a little more mass, many times I am making a sculptural type bead and in that case you just add little dabs, streaks, dots and whatever as needed to create the desired effect.