Hello, my name is Susan Mannas. I feel like being creative is like breathing. It is just something that weaves itself into so many parts of my life. The process of creating something, bringing order, color, melody and life to something where a moment ago there was nothing is so exhilarating. Like breathing I find it is something I have to do to feel alive.
I have been in the education field since 1986. At the writing of this page this is my 35th year in Education.
As I stated above creating is woven into many parts of my life. I do paper crafting & stamping, I love to work with color, I work with fibers & textiles, make jewelry, I do mixed media, play guitar, hand drums, harmonica and sing. I have always found myself sharing my crafting, things I have made and my music with others. I have taught many crafty classes over the years and done workshops for church and the organizations I volunteer with. I love the creative process of teaching as well. I feel that is what drew me to the profession.
I have thought about doing a blog for many years and lots of people have mentioned to me that I should so I figured I would give it a try. I love to share what I know and what I have learned. What I love about creating and creativity is that there is no one way to do it. That is the beauty of it. You can take the same stamp, markers, paper, instrument, musical notes, fabric, beads and no two people will put it together in exactly the same way. I love sharing but I also really love seeing how others combine the elements for their creations.
As you browse my site you will also notice a common thread of up-cycling, recycling, repurposing and reuse. I am passionate about trying to use what is already around us in our everyday lives and breathing new life into it and repurposing it into something new. When that is combined with creativity it becomes art. The challenge of altering a design to include an item and give it new purpose is highly satisfiying. I am so inspired to see the different ways people do this. It encourages me to continue the quest to try and reuse items into a new creation.
I am excited to share my creative journey. I plan to weave in many of my varied interests and it is my hope that something sparks your interests and encourages you to try your hand at the creative process. It might be something that you have never tried before and be something you come to love.
So, I hope you pop in now and then to see what is going on here at SUROBI.