Salva Bella's Story

In recent years, El Salvador has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. You’ve probably heard about the mega prisons or the deportations to El Salvador. What these stories overlook is the everyday Salvadoran who, despite everything, has kept their culture alive.

My name is Isabella Pena, and I am the founder of Salva Bella. When I was 2 years old, my family moved from El Salvador to the United States. While I grew up in Orlando, I was lucky enough to return to El Salvador every summer. Those summers were sacred to me.

I watched El Salvador go from being labeled the murder capital of the world to now becoming one of the safest countries in Latin America. Because of this, suppressed Salvadoran artists have been able to regain their ability to create their work freely without threats to their lives.

I could list endless things I love about El Salvador. My favorite thing to do is walk through artisan markets full of color and soul and watch art come to life. I founded Salva Bella to address a need for connection. Connection to a country that’s long been misunderstood, connection to artisans who have passed down their craft through generations, and connection to people everywhere who value meaningful work and want to wear something with a story.

The brand’s first collection features handmade crystal bracelets crafted by an artisan based near El Salvador’s coast.

This artisan chose to stay anonymous, asking only for steady work to support his family. However, your support of Salva Bella will show him how valuable his craftsmanship is to people around the world. I met him at the beach when he was selling his bracelets, and I admired his work. After talking, it became clear how passionate he was about his art. He shared that he has over 25 years of experience, expressing himself through these bracelets. Each piece is made using locally sourced crystals and designed with care, skill, and intention.

Each bracelet is one of a kind. They are carefully crafted to be durable and water resistant. While he expressed that he is content going to the beach each day to sell his work, I thought his art deserved more of an audience, which is the inspiration for this collection.

This is where Salva Bella begins. As the brand continues to grow, the vision remains clear: to collaborate with incredible artisans across El Salvador and share their work with the world.