Julia Gomez began learning colcha (the Spanish Colonial style of embroidery) about 40 years ago. She later immersed herself in the entire process - from shearing the sheep to dyeing the wool— when she began volunteering at El Rancho de las Golondrinas (a living history museum dedicated to 18th- and 19th-century culture) in 2000.

She weaves her own backing, and spins and dyes her own wool.

Julia has participated in Spanish Market for over eighteen years, winning Best of Show in 2010. Her work is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts. She has showcased her colcha embroidery as far away as China, where in 2015 she received an Honorary Credential and Master Artist Recognition. Gomez has showcased her colcha embroidery on multiple occasions in China at the Belt and Road International Forum for Cultural Heritage Cooperation and Exchange and Handcrafts Fair, where in 2015 she received an Honorary Credential and Master Artist Recognition.

Sources: New Mexico Fiber Arts Directory; New Mexico.org; Santa Fe New Mexican