Studio Melt opened it's doors in 2012, the brainchild of local jeweller Ange Hailey and Suzy Manning. The pair wanted a space where they could create, collaborate and share their work with the local Newcastle community, some have also suggested a quiet space away from the five young children in their respective families! 

Under the wonderful Renew Newcastle program they were granted temporary access to a vacant space in the Hunter Street Mall in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD. They set up a jewellery making studio, retail space and ran jewellery classes in the evenings. Slowly the space started to fill with their work and as word spread, they sought out work of other small-scale, studio-based jewellers and object makers to add to their collection. 

The evolution from this point was quite rapid. A commercial lease was signed and the store began to foster a ‘creative economy’. Studio Melt now proudly represents the work of over 75 makers located throughout Australia and a number of carefully selected international makers with a special focus on alternative engagement and wedding jewellery. 

Studio Melt also aligns itself closely with other local, independent makers and in September 2020, welcomed local fashion label ‘High Tea with Mrs Woo’ to share the retail space. Entirely designed and handmade in Newcastle, the slow fashion values of High Tea with Mrs Woo align perfectly with Studio Melt and together we look forward to bringing you an even more beautiful instore experience.
In July 2021 Studio Melt and High Tea with Mrs Woo relocated to a new co-retail space (pictured above) in the new precinct of the East End development, just a stone's throw from the original store.

In August 2023, Studio Melt and High Tea with Mrs Woo opened a second store (pictured above and below) at 68 Oxford St, Paddington - which will provide an opportunity to  expand the jewellery collection and introduce contemporary jewellery to a broader audience - we're excited!

Paddington store Studio Melt