The hard times are upon us all. People from every tax bracket are cutting back. But, in reality, it’s going to take a lot more than “the worst economy since the Great Depression” to stop a Glam girl from shopping and looking her best. Fortunately, there are budget savvy solutions that are both chic and philanthropic.  

Like many recent graduates, Erica Holzberg found herself not knowing what to do with her next step in life.

After catching a glimpse of a fabric necklace in her mother’s jewelry box, she and her mom decided to recreate it in a more modern way. Wearing her first creation of fabric, beads and marbles to her waitressing job in New Jersey, she found herself getting plenty of compliments and requests from coworkers and patrons.

Four years later jewelrywithoutjewels.com caters to the needs of fashionable girls who want to look good and give back. Not only can you get a unique, fun, and versatile piece of jewelry but 10% of the proceeds are donated to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation. She has donated about $1000 to date.

The necklaces, which can be made from her available fabric or custom made with a fabric you provide, are sold for about $15.00 on the website jewelrywithoutjewels.com where you can also read the blog, see the new fabrics and find out about new *jwj* updates (like their recent trip to the Martha show where Rosie O’Donnell was seen wearing a *jwj* necklace!).

All in all, jewlerywithoutjewels.com is a worthy investment that won’t leave you feeling guilty. If only there was a cupcake that would leave us feeling the same way.