Born in Beijing in 1967, Cao Haimei is an instructor at the Art and Design College at Beijing University of Technology. She is also a member of the China Arts and Crafts Association, China Fashion Association, and China Female Artists Association. Starting at the age of nine, Cao studied gongbi (from the Chinese word for meticulous) painting under Mr. Pan Jiezi, and was deeply influenced by Chinese traditional arts. After graduating from the College of Fine Arts at Capital Normal University, she continued her studies at the Graduate School of the Chinese National Academy of Arts. She also traveled to Bonn, Germany, to study visual design. With significant experience in creative design, Cao has lectured on Chinese knotting since 1993. She has also engaged in arts and design production as well as educational research.