Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Jewel of the Lion Feature, Review and Giveaway (US Only)

Yesterday I eagerly watched out the upstairs window from the computer desk where I was working as the mailman pulled up. Yes, it looked like he might have a small box in his hands... After finishing up what I was working on, I went straight for the mailbox. There it was, the small Priority Mail box with my name on the front. My Christmas Sampler of fudge from Jewel of the Lion had arrived!!


I used to think of fudge as mainly either chocolate or peanut butter. Yes, some might have nuts or you might even get chocolate mint, but that's about as far as my knowledge of fudge went. That was BEFORE I discovered Jewel of the Lion on Etsy! Wow!!! I've never seen so many varieties of fudge! Fudge isn't the only thing Julie sells in her shop though, she also sells her famous "Aunt Helen's Pumpkin Bread", Cookies, Scones, Muffins and more!

Before you run off straight to Jewel of the Lion to satisfy your curiosity about those multitudes of flavors of fudge or to make yourself hungry with the yummy looking goodies, let me give you a peak behind the scenes at the woman who runs the shop.


What inspired you to open your shop?
Originally, my shop was full of jewelry & crafty things, as I was inspired by a fellow artist/friend who turned me on to Etsy after we crafted together a bit.  With no activity in the jewelry arena, I decided to sell my Aunt Helen's Pumpkin Bread for the fall of 2010.  My family had been telling me to sell it for years, and as a sort of homage to my Aunt Helen after she passed, I decided to give it a go.


Where did your shop name come from?
I'm a writer, and I love to play with words - they fascinate me!  So, my name is Julie, I'm a Leo, originally I was selling jewelry....and Jewel of the Lion was born! :-)

What inspires you to create your work?
Oh, my!  Inspiration comes from everywhere - friends, family, food shows, magazines, billboards, random cravings, strange dreams...you name it!  The world is my inspiration, and making people happy because they ate something I made is the best feeling ever!  People don't just eat something, they cherish it, they remember a good time from a simple flavor, they travel back to childhood when things were easier.  They have a bite and think of a long lost loved one...so many stories and so much love comes from a little something sweet.


Where/How did you learn your craft?
In kitchens, where the smells wafting out make you feel like family is all around.  Where comfort reigns, and familiarity finds you in every stir of the pot, every taste from the spoon, every swish of the hand-sewn apron.


Have you taken any courses or classes? I've never attended a single cooking/baking course, but have logged in thousands of hours in the kitchen with so many beautiful, passionate ladies....no culinary school can touch that.

In your opinion, what sets you apart from the rest?
A lot of things set me apart...but I think one of the main things is that my fudge creations actually look like the desserts they are inspired by...my cheesecakes & pie fudges have crusts, my ice cream fudges look like ice cream...they are beautiful & unique, and taste like their original counterparts.  It's fantastic! :-) I also have over 70 flavors of fudge...and I've found no one with anywhere close to that variety!




What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you've started?
Every new customer is exciting, every new relationship I make, and every new confection I make that makes someone happy.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given in regards to what you do?
Follow your heart & keep your numbers straight!

Do you take custom orders? If so, how do they work?
I LOVE custom orders!  Generally people just request what they want, we work together, and everyone's happy!

Besides crafting, what else do you do?  What are your other interests?

I love to write, analyze things, be with friends and family, spend quality time with others or alone.  I love to paint, craft, create, live, love, laugh, learn!


How do you make time to make your goodies?  It's what I do most of the time....and somehow, there's still not enough time to do all I want.

What advice would you give someone just learning your craft?
Be courageous, try new things, believe in yourself!



What advice would you give someone new to online selling?
Study, study, learn, research, and study some more!!  And customer service is 10000000% the most important next to having a solid product & good photos.


Is your mouth watering yet? As I was looking through Jewel of the Lion to find pictures for this post, I kept coming across flavors of fudge I hadn't seen before and kept thinking, "Yum!! I want to try that one!" This fudge would make a great gift for that person on your list that is so hard to shop for because they already have everything! I even have a coupon code for you!

Julie is offering a coupon code to all of my readers which will give you 10% off your entire purchase from her shop. Just use the code FEATURE10 to receive your discount. She is also offering a 15% discount on the purchase of any of her 1 or 1.5 pound Christmas Samplers with the code XMASSAMP15. You can see her shop announcement for details.

Speaking of Christmas Samplers, I have a very sweet giveaway for you! And let me tell you, the winner of this giveaway is certainly in for a treat! Julie is generously giving away one of her 1 pound Christmas Fudge Samplers to one of my readers!!

The Christmas Sampler gives you your choice of 4 different flavors of fudge. You can choose from Pumpkin, Just Chocolate, Peppermint Candy, Walnut, Holiday Eggnog and Pecan Pie. Hard Choice!


When I was offered one of these Christmas Samplers to review, I was so excited! We chose Peppermint Candy, Just Chocolate, Pumpkin, and Pecan Pie. WOW! My family and I had a taste testing party last night and sampled all four flavors. Yummy! We LOVED them! That Pumpkin Fudge tastes just like pumpkin bread, and the Pecan Pie makes you think you're actually eating pie instead of fudge! Our ultimate favorite of all the flavors we tried though was hands down the Peppermint Candy Fudge!! The peppermint and chocolate combination are wonderful! The perfect fudge for Christmas!

I'm thrilled to now get to offer one of my readers their own Sampler Package of fudge! Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below.



 
Disclosure: I was sent a complimentary Christmas Sampler to review. All opinions
are 100% mine. 

113 comments:

Belley Family said...

Did I see the word "fudge?!" MMMMMM! My favorite! I had a look at the site, but only briefly, as the choices were overwhelming! Nice photos! I think the ginger and the creme brulee fudge look delectable!

Crystal said...

I like the Cafe Late fudge!

Elizabeth said...

i would like to try the Jamocha Almond FUDGE with Waffle Cone Crust

Grace Mae said...

Hi Sarah~
I'd try the S'more crusted ones

Anonymous said...

Patricia Wojnar Crowley
tcrowley122 at hotmail dot com

I'd love to try the Julie's Fudge - KEY LIME PIE w/Graham Cracker Crust

d schmidt said...

I think I would most like to try the Pralines and Cream variety


mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

Danielle T said...

id love to try the milk chocolate fudge with cherry in the middle!!!

daniellex at gmail dot com

MrsLeyva said...

Savory fudge?! Who would have thought!! I'd love to try the caramel popcorn, pumpkin and red velvet with cream cheese!! How awesome is this website! I'm drooling!!

nmh001 said...

I'd like the Elvis fudge or the chocolate covered cherry cheesecake.

jennem said...

Julie's Fudge - Milk Chocolate Maple BACON

Jenn said...

Dude!

"PECAN Pie with Graham Cracker Crust & Pure Vermont Maple Syrup and tons of Pecan Goodness"

...AND it's in fudge form? My mind is blown.

Crunchy Deals said...

The Milk chocolate BACON fudge sounds... weirdly amazing!

Tara Stults said...

Thank you!

TBS142001@yahoo.com

The Teacher said...

Classic Fudge
jessicajhennings@gmail.com

Crystal S. said...

i want to try the elvis pie fudge!
sellcrystal2 (at) yahoo dot com

ruthie1019 said...

i would try the german chocolate cake. it looks delicious

skbaron said...

SOOO many of them sound amazing! I would love to try the S'mores with graham cracker crust!

Kindra
skbaron04@hotmail.com

ruthie1019 said...

i would love the cherry cheesecake

Carmen said...

I seriously have a hankering for fudge after getting lost in their site for a good 30 minutes!! They all look good, but since I am a mega coffee addict, Caffe Latte sounds delicious to try.

Amanda Leach said...

Just plain ol Chocolate! YUMM!

Laura said...

Pecan Pie fudge sounds fab!

Laurasu82 at yahoo.com

Alyssa Marie said...

Fudge sampler pack! Those drink fudges make it far too difficult to choose just one!

s said...

Julie's Fudge - BANANA SPLIT

Sandee A said...

Julie's JUST Chocolate is my pick!

ericka coello said...

Scott's Belgium Milk Chocolate-Covered Applewood Smoked Super Thick-Cut Maple BACON

jill said...

Looks yummy, fun blog !

RealtorSD said...

i'd like to try the elvis with graham cracker crust fudge
sarah at realtorsd.com

Danielle S. said...

I would love to try the Cotton Candy and Pumpkin Fudge!

dsauers7(at)hotmail.com

Literary Winner said...

I'd love to try the red velvet cheesecake fudge!


Maggie at tethered mommy dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

oh gosh, the rocky rudge looks amazing

lauren51990 at aol dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

for the christmas sampler, i would love to try the just chocolate


lauren51990 at aol dot com

~dab said...

I'd like to try http://www.etsy.com/listing/64297031/miss-ruthies-rocky-road-6-pieces-over-12

misty said...

I'd love to try the pecan pie!

misteedawnw at aol dot com

wilma2389 said...

I would like to try the Peanut Butter Cup Fudge

CraftyRaffle said...

Fudge with peanut butter swirl.. yum!

Jenn said...

The PRALINES & CREAM sounds awesome!

shakingit@gmail.com

emeraldmaz said...

I would like to try the peanut butter cup fudge

Anonymous said...

I'd love to try the Oreo fudge cookies and cream!
noel.christmas365 at gmail dot com

whittenwins said...

CARROT CAKE because it sounds so unique and I just know it has to be YUMMMMYYYY! And did you REALLY just make us pick only ONE! LOL! The whole site looks SOOOOO good! Thanks for the giveaway! whittenwins@yahoo.com

Erika said...

I would definitely have to pick the holiday eggnog fudge! Yummy!
Thanks for the great giveaway!

April Yedinak said...

cafe latte

Serena said...

The Julie's Fudge - ELVIS PIE w/Graham Cracker Crust sounds amazing!

Candie L said...

The rootbeer sounds interesting. Thank you

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

DeniseL said...

I discovered Julie's fudge several months ago! Everything I've tried has been awesome - my favorite is pistachio...no wait, pecan pie...., no wait, all of them!

Maritez said...

Peppermint candy would be my first choice!

maritezg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Maritez said...

From the Christmas sampler, it would be peppermint candy and pecan pie!

maritezg(at)hotmail(dot)com

rene miller said...

i would love to try key lime

renelmiller803@yahoo.com

Jerica said...

chocolate covered cherery!

Catie said...

I would love to try the pumpkin muffins!

Unknown said...

I would love to try the Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake W/ Oreo Cookie Crust fudge. Looks delicious!

Trisha
MommaTblog at Gmail dot com

Jenn Spencer said...

I would love to try the Julie's Fudge - Chocolate Covered Cherry CHEESECAKE With Oreo Cookie Crust!

Thanks!
Jenn from How to Make Hair Bows
learnquilling@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would most like to try the Mudslide Pie Fudge.

Name: Sarah Walker
Email: sreis1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @lover2387
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lv2bspld222

mommy2one126 said...

Would love to try the holiday eggnog and peppermint candy!

mommy2one126@yahoo.com

Susie Fox said...

They all look sooo good! I love fudge! The s'mores fudge looks amazing!!

Unknown said...

Julie's Fudge - PEANUT BUTTER CUP looks amazing!

dfraley3 said...

I'd love to try the Pecan Pie Fudge
crochet4hats[at]gmail[dot]com

Shilo Beedy said...

I would love to try the Julie's Fudge - Chocolate Covered Cherry CHEESECAKE With Oreo Cookie Crust
shilobeedy@gmail.com

carole said...

like to try the Christmas sampler

DeeAnn S said...

I'd love to try the Orange Creamsicle fudge. Thanks.
sweepster49 at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

Julie's Fudge - with PEANUT Butter Swirl - 12 Pieces (1 pound) (YUM!!!)
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'd luv to try the ITS A DREAM SAMPLER:)

jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com

Carrie said...

Wow Key lime pie fudge looks great!

Laura Love said...

I'd love to try the Julie's Fudge - White Chocolate BUTTERSCOTCH Swirl
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63092271/julies-fudge-white-chocolate
lajohnson555 at yahoo dot com

Parenting Patch said...

I would love to try the PEANUT BUTTER CUP fudge. Yum!

Haley said...

The Peanut butter & chocolate sounds so good! Can't go wrong!

The NEW Mommiez Blend said...

Whoa, the eggnog fudge sounds soooo good. Perfect for the holidays.

Chelle
newmommiez at gmail dot com

RaettigFamily said...

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

beth said...

the watermelon fudge looks so cool
dez3b@yahoo.com

sheila askins said...

LOVE to try the Julie's Fudge - LEMON MERINGUE PIE with Nilla Wafer Crust & Handmade Meringue Cookie Toppers!

momma2100 at live dot com

Anonymous said...

anything fudge.
debra.pauley63@gmail.com

Yona Williams said...

Are you serious????? The Jamocha Almond FUDGE with Waffle Cone Crust looks DELICIOUS! Email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com

Yona Williams said...

christmas sampler choice - Pecan Pie. Email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com

Angelia said...

Nutter Butter Pie?! I'm drooling!

judy gardner said...

i would love to try any of them! i love just plain old chocolate fudge, but that white chocolate blackberry swirl looks killer!!!



velvetelvis40@yahoo.com

Bride-to-Be said...

I want to try the pepperment candy fudge MMM

Danielle said...

The Root Beer Float Fudge sounds yummy.


The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia
ldsmom2201 at yahoo dot com
http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com
Twitter: The_Happy_Wife

Sara Wood said...

I would like to try the drumstick fudge.

MRWriter said...

I'd like to try Peanut Butter Fudge.

Anonymous said...

I would love to try the pineapple dipped fudge...um...yum.

galindapink@gmail.com

BethElderton said...

Yummy: Julie's Fudge - with TOFFEE CHIPS
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

The Liddell Family said...

mmmmmm the keylime fudge looks interesting! id like to try that!

skbaron said...

I'd love to try either peanut butter cup or s'more!

kindra
skbaron04@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

The Milk chocolate BACON fudge sounds nice

tjranch@ymail.com

~April~ said...

I would love to try the Julie's Fudge - Pure CHEESECAKE With Graham Cracker Crust...
ramblingsandadventures(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer Haile said...

I would love to try the KEY LIME PIE w/Graham Cracker Crust!

cocorricco said...

OMG...the key lime pie fudge

Jade Rahl said...

Holiday Eggnogg! <3<3

Jade Rahl said...

pecan pie and holdiay eggnogg <3<3

Cathy C said...

i would love to try the peanut butter fudge

catherine0807@hotmail.com

Cathy C said...

i really want to try the Pecan Pie fudge


catherine0807@hotmail.com

joyh82 said...

I would really like to try the Dr. Pepper fudge.
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

joyh82 said...

I would love to try the peppermint fudge out of the sampler the most.
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

bwanna12 said...

Jamocha Almond FUDGE

Janelle said...

I'd love to try the peppermint bark, or the key lime pie!
Thanks for a chance to win this yummy prize!
Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

christigpa said...

Tis the season to try Peppermint Fudge!!!

Christigpa at gmail dot com

Nikki said...

I would love to try the .
Julie's Fudge - PEANUT Butter Swirl!

loverofanimals49@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have weakness for fudge in any form! I would love to try the peanut butter fudge or any that is really,really chocolate! auroraione@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to try the Julie's Fudge - Cherry CHEESECAKE With Graham Cracker Crust - 6 PIECES (over 1/2 pound)

Crystal mexico
Cmex84@yahoo.com

Kelsey Apley said...

Key lime looks so delicous!!

Kelsey Apley

Shari said...

I would love to try the peppermint fudge. Mmm. my fave.

Stacy said...

I would like to try Chocolate Covered Cherry CHEESECAKE With Oreo Cookie Crust!

annies home said...

orange fudge sounds great
shopannies@yahoo.com

Vicky @ Mess For Less said...

Red Velvet Fudge

Suburban prep said...

Oh the cheesecake in the red velvet flavor. yum

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Yummy!
I would love to try their White Chocolate & CASHEW Cookies!

thanks!
katierox4you@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to try the Cranberry Orange Scones with Orange Icing
momsholidaycooking at gmail dot com
victoria

cloud10277 said...

I'd love to try the Scott's Belgium Milk Chocolate-Covered Applewood Smoked Super Thick-Cut Maple BACON
cloud10277@Hotmail.com

sarah shult said...

I would love to try the S'MORES PIE w/Graham Cracker Crust sheshult@hotmail.com

Ashley rexrode said...

I would love to try Julie's fudge red velvet

lmurley2000 said...

the orange fudge sounds good to me

lmurley2000@yahoo.com

michele376 said...

I would like the 2lb. Christmas Box Gift with peanut butter, strawberry cheesecake, mudslide pie and just chocolate.

beh2351@frontier.com

Julianne said...

Julie's fudge. Its going to be a depressing christmas this year i coudl really use some sugar

Wehaf said...

I'd love to try the Cranberry Orange SCONES!

urchiken at gmail dot com