Melanie Katsalidis is a jeweller and the director and founder of Pieces of Eight. Growing up in a creative household, she developed a passion for art and design early in life. She pursued these interests by undertaking a major in art history via Bachelor of Arts degree at Melbourne University (2000) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT University (2003). In 2005 Melanie established Pieces of Eight and over time the gallery has built a solid reputation as one of the most exciting and original of its kind.