Sunday, September 14, 2008

Oriental & Specialty Rug Course by Restoration Industry Association

I was like a kid in a toy store or a candy shop during the past three days of September 11, 12, and 13, 2008. Why? Because I participated in an Oriental and Specialty Rug Course which was held in Holiday Inn Hotel in Rancho Bernardo in San Diego by the Restoration Industry Association. The instructors were Aaron Groseclose and Ellen Amirkhan. Wonderful, knowledgeable, passionate and friendly teachers and scholars. We had eleven participants in the course, all enthusiasts and professional carpet cleaners. I was the only rug dealer in the class. In the third day of the class, we went to a beautiful rug cleaning facility in San Diego and Lisa the kind owner of the rug cleaning place and her wonderful mother and brother gave us a tour of their facility and showed us how they work and how they care for the rugs and kilims they receive.

I loved the course and learned a lot. Thank to those who made it possible for me to attend this interesting, informative a fun class. The participants were great and after three days, we became good friends and exchanges contact informations to be in touch and share ideas and concerns. We took three exams, one an exam by the Wools of New Zealand to become a Wool Care Specialist. I was up to 2:00 am to get ready for the test and read the materials that the instructor had given us. The two exams were given in the third day after the tour and the workshop finished in the rug cleaning facility. It had two parts of written and rug identification.

The students were from allover the place, from Canada to Colorado, California, Utah, and other places.

I did not know about the course until Steve Roberts (Dusty) called and e-mailed me and provided me with the information on this wonderful learning journey. Thank you Dusty.

Each photo opens in a new enlarged window if you click on it.

Khosrow Sobhe
www.RugIdea.com
310-770-9085























2 comments:

Dave said...

This looks like a spectacular course with very interesting pieces to look at too. Nice Senneh too, is this original fringe? I cannot tell from the photo, the blue looks very rich to my eye.

Always a pleasure Dr. Sobhe

Senneh: DSC01173.JPG

Rug Ideas Dr. Kay Sobhe (Los Angeles) said...

The fringes were silk and original. I could not count the knots. Very high knot count!

Thanks David,

Khosrow Sobhe