We’ve recently emerged from a major renovation on our house, specifically digging out the basement to create another level of space. It’s wonderful to be done and have a whole new living area, but it has also presented us with a new task: Organizing all of the stuff that used to be stored in the old, unfinished basement.
We purged a lot pre-renovation, but also kept a lot to make decisions about upon completion. Now, that time is here. There are crates of books, bags of the kids’ artwork from over the years, sentimental items we couldn’t let go, and boxes of other things we didn’t previously have space to use or display. As I’ve started to go through it all, I’ve realized we can’t keep everything.
So when Heather Nickerson, Co-Founder & CEO of Artifcts, reached out to introduce her new company to me, I immediately got it. Artifcts was created to help people capture and preserve the meaning and stories behind the objects of their lives, while allowing them to declutter and purge without worry or guilt. Even more, those stories, special memories, and other fun tid bits can be shared with friends and family to ensure they live on for generations through its community-style web and app-based platform.
How Does It Work?
Artifcts is very easy to use. You choose an object, take a picture (or two or three), add a story (however long you like), and save. Done! If you want to do more you can attach documentation for insurance purposes (certificates of appraisal, reciepts, etc.). You can also print a QR code and attach it to your Artifct; QR codes are a great way to bring your Artifct to life. You can also easily export a single Artifct or your entire collection with a click of a button, making it easy to include Artifcts in a will or estate plan.
There are other fun ways to use Artifcts. Heather mentioned that wine is a popular category, and a lot of people record the bottles they like and the stories or special celebrations behind them. It has also served as a way to save and share recipes, as people snap photos of their dishes and include recollections of family traditions along with cooking instructions.
So far, I’ve used Artifcts to save some of my kids’ old artwork that I definitely want to remember, but not necessarily hold onto or display. And I plan to do this with more items as we continue to organize all of the stuff that’s been stored away for years.
Check It Out!
Want to try out Artifcts? You can sign up and try it for free with up to five Artifcts that can be shared privately or publicly as well as downloaded. For larger collections, subscriptions start at $36/year for up to 30 Artifcts, or $89/year for unlimited Artifcts and the ability to add up to three friends and family members to your account.
Visit Arifcts.com for more about the service, including inspiration for using it, concierge options, and to browse public items!
