How to make a unique, culturally rich, and exquisite coaster?

Unlike standard cork or ceramic coasters, cloisonné pieces are miniature canvases. The technique involves creating compartments with thin metal wires and filling them with vibrant "enamel" . Each coaster becomes a one-of-a-kind artwork, reflecting light with a gorgeous, glossy depth. They’re perfect for adding a pop of color to a coffee table, a thoughtful handmade gift, or a rewarding creative challenge.

One 13th-century dawn, Persian artisans carried the secret of enamelwork into Yuan Dynasty’s capital. They intended to create champlevé (etching patterns into copper), but a mistransmission of techniques birthed something finer: Cloisonné. Craftsmen bent spider-silk-thin copper wires into intricate frames on metal bodies, then filled them with mineral glazes.

If Western oil painting is a romance between brush and canvas, Cloisonné is a wrestling match among metal, minerals, and fire. Artisans first hammer copper sheets into vessels—rejecting molds for uniqueness. Then, with tweezers, they twist 0.5mm wires into dragons and peonies—a skill demanding 20 years’ mastery. One slip turns clouds into “abstract graffiti.” After filling cells with lapis lazuli blue or malachite green, the piece faces its crucible: three firings in 800°C kilns. Glazes may crack or blur; half perish. Finally, polishing away scars and gilding edges with 24K gold, a treasure “reborn through triple fire” emerges. No wonder Emperor Qianlong sighed: “The artisan’s heartblood outweighs gold and jade!”

When the first Cloisonné vase reached 18th-century Versailles, French nobles gasped at its dazzling wires and hues, dubbing it the “Baroque Pearl of the East.” Soon, it swept Europe: Madame de Pompadour collected Cloisonné perfume cases, Russian czars ordered enamel icon frames, and Oscar Wilde marveled that it “puts gems to shame.” Meanwhile, in the Forbidden City, Qianlong used Cloisonné as his “fusion lab”—stuffing landscapes, European angels, and Bible stories into traditional cloud motifs, creating an absurd yet harmonious “Qianlong aesthetic.” These cross-civilization dialogues now rest silently in the V&A, testifying to the Silk Road’s brightest craft migration.

Traditional and Modern Variations

Modern CloisonnéEliminates the firing process and adapts the technique to flat surfaces such as wood or ceramic. It retains a three-dimensional effect while offering practicality (e.g., tea trays, wall art, phone cases).

Step 1: Design  

Create a simple, bold design—think celtic knots, floral motifs, or geometric art deco patterns.Transfer it to your clean copper blank.  

Apply the wire adhesive along the lines of the pattern.Use tweezers to bend and shape the thin craft wire, pressing it firmly onto the wire adhesive to secure.Let dry completely.

Mix each of your colored enamel powders with a few drops of water to create a wet paste. Using a clay pick or fine spatula, carefully fill each compartment (cloison) with the paste, tamping it down gently. The paste should be level with the top of the wires. Allow it to dry completely. This is a slow, meticulous process—embrace it as a form of meditation.

The Step-by-Step Process: Patience is Your Greatest Tool

Want to experience the charm of traditional cloisonné art but intimidated by complex wirework?

This Cloisonné Coaster DIY Kit is specially designed for craft lovers, eliminating the challenging wire-bending step, so you can effortlessly create your own enamel masterpiece!

Cloisonné handcraft material kit – even beginners can create