The metal I use for the base is fine silver. I have used copper and silver plated steel, but I don't like the additional steps required in cleaning copper, and had trouble with bubbles using the steel. I mostly use Ninomiya enamels, but also Thompson's, aoki, and Soyer. on occaision. The wire is usually 24 Kt. gold, sometimes fine silver. I use many small trivits, a firing rack that is made for beaders, a Neycraft kiln, and a lot of distilled water. I couldn't do cloisonné without my optivisor for magnification! I use protective glasses and a dust mask whenever sifting. I often stone down by hand with alundum stones and various grades of sand paper and diamond pads from 3M. I am mostly self taught, with a great deal of help from Merry-Lee Rae's website at: http://www.merryleerae.com/
I asked many questions of some very gifted enamelists and was very gratified by their generous help and support. If you have questions about my method, or enameling in general that you would like me to answer, please feel free to contact me