ur knowledgeable staff includes specialists in oriental rug washing, Navajo textile restoration, carpet restoration, restorative washing and de-bleeding of Navajo rugs, dyeing, carding and spinning of natural fibers, and appraisal and analysis of rugs and textiles.

Owner, Rufus Cohen began his career in cleaning and restoration in 1988 working for Talisman Restoration in the San Francisco bay area, and has also worked in New Orleans for Jacqueline Vance Oriental Rugs, and in Santa Fe for Santa Fe Oriental Rugs. Rufus specializes in washing and removing color run from Navajo textiles, and re-weaving oriental pile carpets.

Sara Crawford trained at James Opie’s Portland, Oregon oriental rug restoration department, and specializes in restoration of oriental pile carpets. She currently splits her time between New Mexico and the Netherlands.

Kayla Paul is a weaver specializing in complex twill techniques. Her specialties at Textival include carding, spinning, and Navajo rug restoration. Kayla also does production weaving at Susan Neal’s Albuquerque studio.

Kabir Daitz is a weaver specializing in New Mexican Hispanic tapestry techniques. He has completed the weaving program at Northern New Mexico Community College in El Rito, including a restoration course with Santa Fe based restorer Laura Center. At Textival, he specializes in kilim, Navajo and other tapestry restoration. Kabir is also a DJ at community radio station KUNM.

Rebekah Blesing is a multi-media artist and specializes in custom dying materials for restoration, as well as Navajo rug restoration. She splits her time between Textival and Books By Hand, a book-maker’s supply company.

David Hartshorne is Textival’s head oriental rug washer. David (Dave 12) DJs down tempo house music at local clubs and parties, and helps run Revolutions Records in Albuquerque’s South Valley.