Created by Julia Gomelsky

Julia Gomelsky is a visual artist and a web/graphic designer in Los Angeles. She began her career in the visual arts in 2000, after graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Industrial Design. True to Julia’s eclectic nature, she took on a number of creative roles over the ensuing decade, including web designer, illustrator, artist, photographer, doll enthusiast (another story!) and a maker of unique wall hangings. In 2013, she took a leap of faith and started her own freelance web and graphic design business. She loves design in any form and is drawn to projects that allow her to use a range of mediums, from photography to mixed media Photoshop work.

In 2016, shortly after returning home from a trip to Ojai, Calif., Julia was inspired to make her first wall hanging. Dream Catch Repeat was founded shortly thereafter and later re-branded to The bird & the butterfly. The name comes from Bird, her dearly departed dog Brody, who’s nickname was Bird and butterfly for her father who passed away in April 2022. She sees him daily as a butterfly and feels his energy around her all the time.

Julia’s wall hangings have evolved over the years to include both ready-made varieties as well as custom-made versions featuring gemstones tailored specifically to buyers.

The wall hangings come in four sizes (from XS, 4” diameter to Large, 14” diameter) and use materials sourced from craft shops (including feathers, beads and faux suede cord). Julia selects the gemstones — including amazonite, lapis lazuli, agate, rose quartz, jasper and anything else that catches her eye — on her annual visits to the gem shows in Tucson, Ariz. She finds the wooden sticks locally on hikes throughout Los Angeles’ canyons and parks. At home, she washes and dries the sticks thoroughly before saging them and adding them to each piece (though not all have sticks). Lastly, she sets intentions for each piece and sages it again so it’s ready for its new home. Julia is most proud of creating pieces as unique as each buyer.