Christen Romans (CR), age 21 is the owner and creator of the exquisite handmade jewellery line ‘Chrissy’s Coils’. This nonconforming third year student is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of the West Indies. With her passion, Christen strives to make ‘Chrissy’s Coils’ a well known entity in Jamaica.

TA: What pushed the creation of ‘Chrissy’s Coils’? CR: The creation of Chrissy’s Coils basically came from my love of jewellery. I was an avid jewellery buyer; spent too much money on it and I honestly don’t know where the talent came from, it just came out of nowhere. I wasn’t taught, and I just started making ear cuffs for myself because my ears weren’t pierced and then I tried making a ring, and from there it just took off. 

TA: There have been a number of handmade jewellery makers emerging, what makes your jewellery any different?CR: I think what makes my jewellery different is my attention to detail. I feel as if each piece is an extension of myself so I try to put something out there that I think is representative of how I feel about what I do and the inner perfectionist that I am, when it comes to me creating anything. 

TA: In what way do you think your business will impact Jamaican arts and culture?CR: Considering that it’s at its beginning stages, the impact at the moment would be very small but I hope that in the future, I would be able to inspire those who would want to start something of their own, whether something similar or completely different, and also to change the notion of thinking that things that are made outside of Jamaica are better than those that are made locally. 

TA: Do you have any future plans for ‘Chrissy’s Coils’?CR: Yes I do have plans for ‘Chrissy’s Coils’. I’m trying not to keep myself in a box at the moment but one of the more immediate plans I have is to venture into male jewellery, because my male customers have been asking.

TA: Where can people find or contact you?CR:  You can contact me at chrissys.coils@gmail.com or on Instagram at @chrissys_coils.