Greetings folks!
I wanted to take a moment to
thank each and every one of you who voted for me and several of my projects and
mutual endeavors with others that resulted in winning awards for the 1st Annual Conjure Community Awards 2012 hosted
by Bayou City Conjure Radio. I am so honored for the recognition as Best
Visual Artist as this award not only recognizes me, but also my
ancestors; specifically, my Mother and Father who both inspired and nurtured by
talents from the moment I could hold a pen, paint brush and sewing needle.
A big surprise was winning the award for Best Blog – this blog, The Art of Conjure. I am not an everyday blogger; I blog when I have time and feel I have something to give and say. This blog simply
consists of my thoughts and musings as a conjure woman who likes to share personal
experiences in the hopes that it inspires and informs others.
The additional awards of which I
am a part include Best Home Business - Crossroads Mojo with Madrina Angelique. The success of our young business is the result of what can happen
with true teamwork, a mutual vision, and support and encouragement from
countless others who believe in us, our products and our devotional art. Working
with Madrina Angelique has been one of the most positive and professional
experiences I have had the privilege of participating in. Above all, the Best
Home Business Award for Crossroads Mojo is dedicated to Papa Legba, without
whom the website would never have come to be.
Finally to win Best Facebook Group
- Hoodoo
and Conjure Magazine is quite the irony considering our beginnings.
Even with the group out of the public eye, the satisfaction I feel for winning
this award is immense, to say the least. But this award would not be possible without
the blood, sweat, and tears of the writers, contributors, partnerships and all
my brilliant fellow conjurers and group members who routinely give to each
other and treat each other with respect. You are integral in creating and maintaining the group as a true,
supportive, nonjudgmental community. Thank you to Carolina Dean, Madrina
Angelique, Alyne Pustanio, Winsom Winsom and all group members who so
graciously contribute their time and energy to both the magazine and to keeping
the group running in my absence. Even with a few bumps in the road, you never
give up. I am honored and humbled by the recognition and acknowledgment of the
magazine’s group and our purpose, and most of all for having such loyal friends
in my life. This award belongs to all of us.
I extend my congratulations to
all of the other winners. Special congratulations go to a couple of Hoodoo and
Conjure Magazine contributors whose light shone bright in their own right. Dorothy Morrison as Best Author – you are an inspiration, a
witch of integrity and a true friend. Thank you for your life’s work, much of
which I was reading long before writing myself. Dragon Ritual Drummers as Best Music Group – thank you for the
awesome drums and rhythms, providing us an expression of and connection to the
heartbeat of the Spirits. Witchdoctor
Utu in particular, I thank you for your support and friendship. Priestess Miriam as Best Community Figure - you and the New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple represent what New Orleans Voodoo should be all about. Well done,
my friends!
Finally, many thanks to Bayou City Conjure Radio for giving all of us an opportunity to acknowledge individuals
and groups who contribute in a positive way to the conjure community. May 2013
be the best year ever!
Peace and love,
Denise Alvarado
