Estonian jewelry designers to speak in Fallbrook on Jan. 14

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society is pleased to announce Ettel Poobus and Rita-Livia Erikson as the featured guest speakers at the society’s monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m.

Extremely talented, up-and-coming jewelry designers from Estonia, Poobus and Erikson are graduates of the Estonian Academy of Arts (EAA), the only university in Estonia offering higher education in fine art, design, media, architecture and art history. The school is considered a leading international center of innovation in visual culture and partners with nearly 100 universities in student exchange programs and international design competitions.

The guest speakers will share their training and experiences at EAA, where they specialized in jewelry art, acquiring skills ranging from design, lapidary, blacksmithing and gemstone engraving. Both designers are featured on the EAA web site, www.eaa.ee, with their CVs and photos of jewelry they designed and fabricated.

Their personal styles can be described as modern, contemporary and avant-garde. Poobus has gone on to establish her own company, Ettel Jewellery, specializing in custom work. Erikson has honed her craft competing in numerous international exhibits and competitions in such diverse places as Israel, Italy, Australia and Germany.

Coming to the United States was a dream for both of them and Rita’s cousin, Linda Flynn of Fallbrook, was their direct path to the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society. Visiting the FGMS Museum in October 2015, they discovered FGMS’ lapidary workshop and met Meg Berry, a world-renowned gemstone cutter, carver and teacher. Both were thrilled as faceting is not taught in Estonia! They joined FGMS, are taking lessons and learning new techniques until they return to Estonia in the spring.

Come hear about their fascinating journey to finding Fallbrook! The meeting will be held at the FGMS building, 123 W.

Alvarado St. Plenty of parking is available in the lot across from the building and light refreshments will be served.