(yes, that’s me down below!)

Well, I’m not a thief and don’t want to get into politics… so let’s go with number three!*

For as long as I can remember, people have commented on my personal style, always asking me where I got this or that. Of course I’d tell them, but I’d always feel the need to mention what I paid for said object- not because I dropped a ton of cash on it- but because most often, I got it at a great discount. My friends and cohorts have long relied on me as a source for great gift ideas, shopping advice, and style information. I am good at many things, but only exceptional at a few. Shopping, writing, styling, and creating artwork (both in real time and digitally) are my strengths. One day it just occurred to me that I should start a website about all of the above! I could inspire others, give advice, have a regular creative outlet, keep myself out of trouble, and maybe even reap some financial benefit from it. So there you have it, that’s the basic thought behind Art of the Steal’s inception.

As for myself, my name’s Amanda Failing. I was born and raised in New York and relocated to South Carolina some years ago. I’m currently uhm… thirty-something (a true woman is reluctant to ever give up her real age. ha.). I have two art degrees. One is in Studio Art, and I double concentrated in metalsmithing and ceramics. The other is in Intradisciplinary Arts for Children (teaching the arts through general curriculum). For years I didn’t use either of them.

In the past I have served up ice cream, slung and delivered pizza, sold jewelry, worked with the developmentally disabled (as a physical therapy aide and a teacher), rented cars, prepared cut lists and assisted the engineering department at a steel company, worked in a optical lab, sold siding, worked as a maintenance dispatcher, maintained and created exhibits at a local museum, you name it… I’ve done it. If nothing else, it’s helped me to become a very well rounded individual! For the past few years, I’ve worked in the field of graphic design- both for others and as a freelancer.

Currently, I’m pursuing a few different paths simultaneously. I was recently laid off, and while contemplating the concept of getting another “real” job, I’m writing and designing for this blog, making jewelry, selling off my clutter on Ebay, and working on some paintings. The plan is to set up multiple streams of income so that I become self-reliant, rather than putting myself in a position where an interruption of my cash flow becomes a possibility. Wish me luck!

I don’t really like writing about myself, but understand that it’s a necessity for this sort of work. There. I’ve pounded out a few paragraphs. I’m done!

With that, let me thank you for reading Art of the Steal. This endeavor is proving to be very enjoyable on many different levels. I hope you enjoy the content. Feel free to drop me a line or two about anything and everything! Comments and questions are always welcome. Then again, so would be a few sponsorships or freelancing inquiries. Sorry, just had to get that in!

Take care, and God bless!

* Please note- Most items I post on this website are very affordable. Occasionally you might come across one that is a bit more pricey- but understand that the “steal” is sometimes the value you get for the price you paid!

3 Comments »