I make sketches of the base and the cloisonne wires. You can embellish the surface of the blank by various methods. Here, I am engraving a texture. Now is the time to put holes, if desired. It is important to dome the piece to control warpage in the firing stage. Here are two silver bases, one engraved and the other blank. Make several copies of your image, and cover one with doublestick tape. Use the untaped copy to shape and trim the cloisonne wires. Place the shaped wires on the taped copy for safekeeping. It helps keep all the pieces organized. The base coat of clear enamel is sifted onto the front of the piece, and fired. The wires are now adhered to the base, and ready for the foils and enamel.