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Exclusive articles, interviews, and insights covering downsizing & decluttering, genealogy, photos and other media, aging well, travel, and more. We’re here to help you capture the big little moments and stories to bring meaning and order to all of life’s collections and memories for generations.
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Every Room Has a Story: Kitchen Edition

Reading time: 5 minutes 

Welcome to the fourth in our series of the stories of your living spaces: Your kitchen. Often the workhorse of our homes, the kitchen is also ground zero for family gatherings, traditions and oh-so-many memories and stories to go along with it all. Not to mention ALL that cabinet space, which too often ends up becoming the final resting place for long forgotten and seldom used gadgets, mugs, cookbooks, and more! 

What surprises are hidden behind your cabinet doors? What memories and stories are sitting untold? What ‘stuff’ is getting in your way of the job to be done: cooking! Let’s go! 

Catch up on past editions in the series: Living Room |  Kids’ Rooms Bathroom 

Cookbooks, Recipes & More 

Show me a kitchen without a cookbook and I’ll show you... a [insert company name] catalog. Yes, those designer kitchens in our favorite furniture store catalogs always LOOK nice, but our co-founder Heather is always left wondering, where are the cookbooks?  

Growing up, Heather’s mom was a fabulous cook. Heather still remembers sitting on the butcher block counters and doodling in the cookbooks as her mother baked. And we’re certain she’s not alone in her memories in the kitchen and those omnipresent cookbooks.  

Whether your cookbook collection is more accidental than intentional, one thing is for certain, kitchen cabinets and shelves are great for holding, hiding, and yes, collecting cookbooks! Your shelves are so accommodating that they do nothing to help you parse out the useful, the emotionally valuable, or the “it was a nice thought, but not happening” cookbooks.  

And let’s not forget about the recipes. Sometimes it’s not so much the cookbook as it is one of the recipes inside that triggers the memory.  

 
 
 
 
Heather found a handwritten recipe from her father in one of her mother’s cookbooks. Heather framed the recipe, and three moves later, it still sits prominently on her kitchen counter. CLICK THE IMAGE to view the Artifct.

Feeling inspired? Ready to thin that collection? As you do, Artifct favorites on the spot! Really want to wow your family? Include a short audio story of WHY you love that particular cookbook or recipe. Better yet, include a short video of you making the recipe or providing instruction on how-to make the recipe.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
One of our most-loved Artifcts involves a grandmother instructing her granddaughter on how to make the family’s secret biscuits. CLICK THE IMAGE to view the Artifct.

Gadgets Galore 

Ah yes, kitchen gadgets. As lovers of all things kitchen related, our co-founders Heather and Ellen get it. Who doesn’t want the latest and greatest sure-to-revolutionize-your-dinner-routine gadget? Thankfully for them, space is at a premium in both households, which means that function usually always wins out and helps to keep extra gadgets at bay.  

That said, we know this is not the norm. Our members have shared with us stories of all those gadgets sometimes inherited, sometimes accumulated. We’ve heard firsthand how New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier end up with juice machines, bread machines, blenders, and the like tucked away in the back of our cabinets, taunting us and our half-hearted attempts. 

 
 
 
When @Sue Artifcted her antique cheese grater, she even showed her daughter how to use it! 

But then there are the #battletested kitchen gadgets that have stood the test of time and are woven into the fabric of your family stories around the recipes and holidays they served.

 

 A rolling pin that's been passed down for generations! @Grandmom Artifcted it. CLICK THE IMAGE to view the Artifct. 

For all those kitchen gadgets, whether old or new, loved or maybe forgotten, it’s time we take a hard look at them, too. Do they still work? Will you still use them? Perfect! Keep! If the answer is ‘no’ to either of those questions, consider donating or recycling but not before you Artifct them. A few of these gadgets are even featured in our 108 Things to Declutter list, downloadable here.

Junk Drawers, Fridge Doors, and All Other Surfaces 

Hello elephant(s) in the room! We’re looking at you junk drawer, fridge door, and all other available surfaces where clutter in our kitchens tends to accumulate. 

Barbara Hemphill, of the Productive Environment Institute coined the phrase, “clutter is postponed decisions.” So true! And somehow our kitchens enable us to postpone those decisions even further.

Not today! Pick an area—your junk drawer, your fridge door, or flat surface—and take a hard look at what is there by spreading it out onto an open surface and then thoughtfully reviewing what belongs:

      • Seasonal items can easily be rotated out if you pause to take notice that they are still there, months later. We’re looking at you, hand towels!
      • Sentimental but unnecessary? Great, Artifct it and then recycle, rehome, or otherwise put it in its appropriate space.
      • Any lurking financial or business-related stuff, such as old receipts, invoices, and the like, could potentially be scanned and then shredded.
      • Got mementos overflowing, e.g., old matchbooks, magnets, ticket stubs, and other souvenirs? We bet there are some good stories behind those items to Artifct and share with family and friends. Maybe consider rehoming the actual item if it is no longer needed or used.

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Oldies-But-Goodies: Summer Reading List from the Artifcts Archives

If you're anything like us, you probably have your favorite newsletters piling up in your inboxes all week, all month, all quarter long. We know how great they are, loaded with useful information, new research, fun tips and more, but the days can be so full. And we want to devote our attention to them, so we save them and wait until we have more time. Is summer that time for you?

If ARTIcles by Artifcts is new to you or piling up from your busy days and months, we’ve compiled a few of our favorites from over the years into your next summer reading list, perfect for your next roadtrip, airplane ride, or other adventure over your summer holidays.

While creating this list made us a bit nostalgic, it also reminded us why we’re here – helping us all to transform our relationships to our ‘stuff’ and to each other, one memory, one story, one Artifct at a time. Enjoy!  

Artifcts Co-founder Heather Nickerson’s Summer Reading List 

USE ARTIFCTS TIMELINES TO ENRICH YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

Have you tried keeping track of your family history? Although I'm a 12th generation Nickerson, I am allergic to genealogy apps or any type of software that makes me feel like I’m embarking on a senior thesis project. Artifcts Timelines however are a (nice cool summer) breeze. Read now -->

A FAMILY HISTORY IN FIVE ARTIFCTS 

When push comes to shove, could you tell your life story in five Artifcts? Which Artifcts would you choose? I’m not sure I could, which is why I love this piece. Read now --> 

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH STUFF: THE SANDWICH GENERATION

These days I'm feeling more like a panini than a sandwich, trying to plan for yet another move with all our 'stuff' while working full time at Artifcts. This one speaks to all of us who are trying to juggle kids, parents, four-legged dependents, and our jobs, and not always in that order. Read now --> 

A VIRTUAL IMPOSSIBILITY OF KEEPING UP WITH ALL MY DIGITAL PHOTOS 

Guilty as charged. This will be mandatory reading for EVERY family member this summer as I refuse to pay for yet another upgrade to our Apple storage plan. Read now -->

15 DECLUTTERING TARGETS FOR ARTIFCTERS

It's actionable, and as my youngest used to say, “Chop, chop!” I think my father is secretly looking forward to a couple of extra helping hands this summer as we tackle the basement with this list in hand. Read now -->

Artifcts Co-founder Ellen Goodwin’s Summer Reading List 

SOUNDS OF SUMMER – VINYL EDITION 

Music is magical. We use it to teach. We use it to celebrate and recover. We even use it to reconnect with loved ones who have been robbed of so much by dementia, but the powerful memories of music bring them joy. What music would make your ‘best of’ cut? Read now -->

FROM RARE ART TO FAMILY HEIRLOOMS: TIPS FROM A MASTER AS YOU CONSIDER SELLING YOUR ‘STUFF’ 

Too often we are our own worst enemies, procrastinating, inflating expectations, and worse when it comes to downsizing and decluttering objects we own. We've taken to heart the perspective and truths that Antiques Roadshow host Lark Mason shared with us from his decades of experience working with families as they auctioned away pieces of their family history. Read now -->

FIVE LESSONS FROM ARTIFCTING WITH MY MOTHER (+ The Epilogue!) 

Artifcting is about connection, one on one, in groups, as communities. This story comes from the heart, offering guidelines to make the most of your time Artifcting with your loved ones. Read now --> 

PINT-SIZED PERSPECTIVE ON DECLUTTERING & MOVING 

It can be hard to be 5, 6, or 7, or any age under 18 really. So little control over nearly everything! This article is about bringing kids into the decluttering and downsizing game to give them back some control as you prepare to move. Don’t miss a more recent article on this theme from our friend Matt Paxton, too. Read now --> 

HOW TO TAKE PICTURES OF OBJECTS AT HOME 

The team at Artifcts wants to support you as much as possible, every step of the way. So when our members ask us for tips—like how to take nice pictures of ‘stuff’—we do everything we can to respond and help. Aesthetics matter! Details matter! If you want to level up from our at-home advice, we collected photo tips from a pro, too. Read now -->

We wish you all the best over these summer months. Happy reading, happy Artifcting!

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Who Wants Your Family China?

Last week while out walking my dog, I ran into a neighbor. As usual, we started chatting, and 20 minutes later my dog had given up and laid down realizing the walk was on pause.

My neighbor had just returned from a trip to see her son, daughter-in-law, and grandbabies out in Utah. During her visit, she updated her family on some remodeling and upgrades at the family home in Austin. As a part of this process, she’d been required to relocate items around the house to make room for the contractors to do their thing.

By actually picking up and taking stock of items she hadn’t even thought about in years, and being an avid fan of Artifcts, she paused to think, “What is all this? Why am I holding onto it? What am I going to do with it next?”

She told her son she planned to donate the family china sets—yes, plural—and probably even old leaded crystal glasses and bowls that had fallen into disuse. “I know you don’t want my stuff. I read about it in the paper every day. I get it.”

Except, she was wrong.  

Her daughter-in-law did not see it as sentimental clutter, as many her age tend to do. She intsead chimed in, "Didn't one of the sets belong to Alex's great grandmother?“ It had, and her daughter-in-law said, "In that case, I want it. It’s family. Same goes for the crystal.”

Future Options for Your China Set

The irony, according to my neighbor, is that while her daughter-in-law may want her china and crystal, shipping it will be expensive, and it will almost certainly sit in their storage unit in Utah. They live in an adorable bungalow where there’s no space for china.

“I hope I can take it to them myself the next time I take a road trip out to see them. Somehow it makes her feel good to hold onto it. That’s fine by me as long as I don’t have to!”

If your china set has fallen into disuse, think carefully through your options:

Sell

We think that for you to make the best decision, you need all the facts. If you intend to sell your china, do not expect it to be a major money maker. Better to be okay with “something is better than nothing” even if we all know there are wild exceptions out there in the world, like these ceramic plates that sold for over $25,000 at auction.

A simple online search can give you an idea of what your set is selling for in the current market. Because of shipping costs, you’re likely constrained, but for some china (because of the designer, pattern, or quality) shipping may not a barrier. You might discover a single plate will sell for $85 or $3. Check around with sites like liveauctioneers.com, eBay, Etsy, and 1stDibs.

Some online marketplaces, such as Replacements.com, buy china to then sell it off piece by piece to people who are looking for replacements for their set. But read the fine print. Some sites make quotes pending receipt of the items, and then once they receive the items, they could reduce their offer. And the price a piece sells for is going to be substantially different from what they pay you. Know this and be okay letting it go.

Family and Friends 

You really do have to ask!

Do not assume that no one wants it.

Ignore those news headlines.

You might have a friend, neighbor, or loved one with a desire for your china. But avoid attaching strings to that gift. If you give away your china, and they then turn around and break up the set, transform it, or eventually get rid of it, no harm, no foul!

Keep a Few Pieces 

If you’re feeling sentimental or even guilty about letting go of something that was a part of so many family occasions or was originally expensive to purchase, holding onto a few pieces of the set might help you let go of the rest. Perhaps you keep only the tea cups, only the dessert plates, or a platter and/or serving bowl. That can sometimes be enough.

For others of you, you may decide that you need still less. A single cup can become a decoration on a shelf. Or you can use it bedside to float a candle or a single flower.

tea cup and saucer on stack of books

Donate

Donations can be difficult for china. They take up a lot of space and are naturally delicate. Call your local charities and thrift stores to see what they are interested in before you pack it up and haul it over.

Create

If you are the crafty type, we’ve seen creative options for smashing china and setting it into paver stones for gardens and pathways. Others carefully break, arrange, and 3D frame pieces for stunning and creative textual art. 

Artifct That 

You might decide you’re keeping your china, because you’re enjoying using it or simply looking at it. You might decide it’s out of here, tomorrow!

Either way, Artifct that to record its history, like our co-founder Heather did for the china set inherited from her mother-in-law.

Artifcting your china, or any piece of it that you are partial to, and sharing that Artifct can open up conversations you never expected. Sharing might also help you complete the “In the future” field in your Artifct.

Here are some tips for making future plans for your china:

      • If you want that china to “Stay in the family,” make sure they understand why through the story you provide in the Artifct.  
      • If you plan to sell it, great, choose “Sell,” and set a reminder for yourself and Artifcts will email you to help keep you on schedule.  

option in Artifct form to set a reminder to sell an item 

      • If a loved one sees the Artifct and is in love with the china set, fabulous. You can indicate “Bequeath” and to whom. 
      • Selling it tomorrow? Mark, “Too late! Already gone. Enjoy the memory.” to save your loved ones from a frustrating scavenger hunt. 

No matter your plans for your china, make them known to your loved ones, and prepare yourself to let it go to a new home.

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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How to Get Your Kids to Help Clear Out the Clutter 

They do say, "The proof is in the pudding," and this weekend my sons found out that Artifcts is the way to get through the 'stuff' and out the other side to the lives they want to be living.

Our mission on Saturday was to clear out a corner of our garage so we could create a small gym for our family. Standing in our way was a bunch of clutter, almost exclusively the sentimental type, and some of which belonged to each member of our family.

I do this for a living, clearing out homes, and knew a few strategies to help us get the job done, and done better. Chief among them is using the Artifcts app to keep track of what goes, what stays, and why it mattered to us.

I kicked off our cleanout effort by Artifcting my old skateboard. My Lance Mountain, Powell Peralta skateboard from 1988. This board was more important to me than most. I saved my money for it, I purchased it, and it was my only means of transportation for two summers.

Artifct about an old skateboard

 
 
CLICK THE IMAGE to check out Matt Paxton's Artifct about his childhood skateboard, told while riding said skateboard one last time.

That board has been with me for 35 years. Odds of me riding it again and avoiding serious injury or sudden death are slim. It was time for it to go. Even though I’ve been downsizing other people’s homes for decades, it’s always special when it’s my items, with my kids. I still get excited when they ask me questions about my childhood.

Then it came to boxes belonging to my boys with childhood 'stuff' in it. You know the stuff - ribbons, artwork, school papers. Someone thought it was special and hung onto it but now even my boys only got a laugh out of it and wanted to recycle it. My son Temple was totally into recording the story behind some of his more creative efforts, and photographing it all, before tossing it.

Child's artwork - a pizza slice

 
 
In a humorous and insightful twist of events, when my wife—who has literally written the book on practical minimalism for families—found out we Artifcted Temple's pizza slice and recycled, she was distressed. "No one asked me!" See, it can be hard to let that sentimental stuff go, even for the pros! Artifcts gave her solace.

What could have been a fast, let's ditch everything, so sorry we can't keep it all effort, turned into a great morning together. Beyond great. Did you listen to what he said in his Artifct? Pure gold to this dad.

And we're left with a clear garage space and a collection of new Artifcts to remember it by. In the end, my youngest son said, “This is cool! We should Artifct more ‘stuff’,” and I said, “Yes, Temple. We should.” And we will… 

Bottom line: Artifcts works. Try it for you. Try it for them. Try it free today at Artficts.com. Let them know Matt Paxton sent you.

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Have a Kid Leaving the Nest Soon?

When I went away to college, my parents converted my bedroom into a meditation room for my father. I was the youngest of three, the last to leave, and the only one who had their bedroom immediately transformed into something else entirely. Ironically, mine was also the smallest and had no heating or air conditioning, which you might think would make it the least desirable bedroom of the three to transform. So then, why my room? Simple: I was organized. (Okay, and yes, it was less desirable for company. But play along with us.)

When I went off to school I had “binned-up” all my stuff and donated or otherwise disposed of a lot of stuff I thought I didn’t need anymore. Admittedly I have a bit of regret about that decluttering experience. My whole life I’ve pushed myself and my family to shed stuff, but in doing so, sometimes I was too rash. I didn’t even have a digital camera back then to take a dose of that terrible advice, “Take a picture, and let it go.” The memories vanished.

Today we're sharing three conversations you'll want to have with your kiddos before any extreme makeovers to keep the peace and the memories.

One Conversation: All that 'stuff'

Parents, if you have not done so recently, open the door to your kid’s room, and just take in the 360 view. Do you see their personality blinking at you like neon lights of Las Vegas?

From the papers, posters, paint colors, and collections, you can see their interests, old and new, hobbies, achievements, and more. And all that they love now will get tested and turned on its head as they step into their new lives, whether they are going off to college or entering the labor force. What was cool or amazing or their passion now, may not be in a few short months.  

Here are a few questions you could ask to help you start a discussion about all the ‘stuff.’ It's all about understanding what's what:

      1. What do you plan to take with you? TIP! Keep a notepad handy because in this process you might also turn up new items that they need to buy before they go.
      2. Is there anything you aren’t taking that you wish you could?  
      3. Are there things we could put into storage or rehome? I may have company stay in here now and then when you’re away, I’d like to make room for them to feel more comfortable.
      4. These {items} are actually quite valuable. I’d recommend you leave them here. Not great for a dorm room.  
      5. If we had a fire or a flood, and we needed to grab and go with just a few things, what of your belongings would you want us to take out?

Avoid these common pitfalls as you get started: 

Rushing it. The reason we're publishing this article now is because we want to save you from this pitfall. It happens when you either waited until the last minute or allowed only one week in the whole summer to get this done. Either way, rushed decisions are fraught with stress and increase the risk of conflict. Plan ahead. 

Ignoring or dismissing sentimental attachments. Are you SURE they do not have a sentimental attachment to things x, y, z, that they are getting rid of? Regret can be so painful. You know your kid. If they are suddenly tossing aside items they have loved, maybe put them into a box you’ll hold for 6 months. Then they can check back in on that box with a different mindset from a different moment in time to ensure they are truly ready to part with its contents. 

Ignoring YOUR sentimental attachments. Yes, your turn. If your kid is ready to let go and you are not, that’s on you. Let them know you want to save those items for your own memories and take responsibility for finding a safe place to store them until you are ready to let them go.  

Missing out on opportunities to digitize. Digitization is your friend. It cuts down on clutter, provides a backup in case of fire or flood, and makes items accessible 24/7 from anywhere. What can this apply to? Printed photos, certificates, artwork, class notes, posters, projects, greetings cards, yearbooks (and the notes friends leave), and the like.

Losing context. Will your kid ever wear those clothes again? Do they need that sports gear anymore? Life is changing in a big way. Some stuff will no longer be needed in this new life. Let it go to someone who can use it.

‘Disappearing’ things. Resist going through their room after they are gone and make decisions about what goes and what stays. Instead, at most, sort the items, and when they next come home (and after they have caught their breath), ask them to go through the boxes and verify what should go where. No parent wants to ruin a visit by pestering their kid to go through their stuff, so you might also consider taking it in doses. One box per visit? In all likelihood, they are still adjusting to their new life. Cut them a break unless you are in a situation that absolutely compels downsizing.

A Second Conversation: It’s About the Space

This conversation is about love and respect in equal measure, and in both directions – two-way street!  And in the process of discussing how you plan to repurpose their room once they move out, you will avoid the surprise factor as well as learn if they have any redlines you can accommodate so they do not feel overwhelmed by change. Here’s one flow that worked for an Arti community member who was launching child number 4 into the wild and that you can adapt to your circumstances: 

      • I love you and you’ll always have a home here and a bed to sleep on.  
      • But I am going to convert your room into a dual-use space. I’ve always wanted to have a place for {whatever purpose}.  
      • When you are home, I’ll happily turn it back over to you. You’ll always have room for your clothes and ‘stuff’ {in this dresser/closet/space}. 
      • This does not mean all your ‘stuff’ has to go. We just need to make room. What can we pack up and: 
          • Send with you? 
          • Store in the closet/attic/basement?
          • Donate? 
          • Sell? 
      • Are you comfortable if we redecorate or paint the room? 
      • Do want to take any furniture with you, or do want us to keep certain pieces for you in the future?

snippets from a video of a kid's room

Before you transform their room, and ideally throughout their childhood, record a video and/or take pictures and Artifct that. It's fun to look back on and remember!

The Penultimate Conversation: The Joy of Connection Through Artifcting 

It’s nearly impossible to wander through a room so full of life as a kid’s room and not find yourself tumbling down memory lane. The stories and memories come unbidden. And that’s when you grab your phone, open the Artifcts app, and click record. When the story’s done, add a pic of the relevant object that triggered the memory, and save that Artifct. Now whether that object made the “keep” list or not, the memory is saved, in their own words, and maybe with your side commentary, too! 

This is for them 

This is for you. 

The moments behind everything in their rooms will begin to get fuzzy and fade as they make room for this whole new world they are walking into. Save them now. And besides, as much as they may love Winnie the Pooh, what if he does not make the cut for the dorm room?

Your digital Artifcts provide the memories and comfort of home no matter where you or those physical artifacts are in the world. Feeling connected and grounded when there is so much change is the gift you give them through Artifcting together. 

And remember, you can always Artifct for them, too, when they are not around. No two people hold the same memories. You may remember things that they were too young to recall or for which they only remember part of the story. Your memory about an event can be a gift. For example, they know what they experienced when they were in the school musical, the fun they had with friends, the stage fright, and more. YOU know what it was to be in the audience, seeing them on stage for the first time, laughing when they used improv to cover forgotten lines. Let them see it through your eyes too as you Artifct for them.

Happy Artifcting!

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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I’ve Seen This Movie Before: The True Story of One Family’s Estate Cleanout 

Have you ever had to clean out the home of a loved one who has passed away? 

Have you ever served in the role of executor of an estate for a friend or family member? 

In a strange way, if you have not, you’re missing out on life education that has the potential to help you and your family and friends to one day leave behind love, legacy, and memories rather than a “dumpster fire,” as Rachel Donnelly, our friend, founder, and author of Late to Your Own Funeral, has been known to say. 

Read on for one family’s true story. We’ve made modifications along the way to protect their privacy.

Honoring a Bachelor’s Legacy 

Emily was always close to her cousin Joseph, growing up in neighboring towns, spending many weekends together at the family’s cabin. Time passed, Emily moved away (three towns over), married and started a family, and had a fulfilling career, keeping her busy, but never too busy for her cousin. In contrast, Joseph remained a proud bachelor, well-liked by his neighbors, and ever the humble host.  

“Joe’s place was a gathering place. People just showed up with a cooler of drinks to shoot the breeze on his back acres, enjoying the lake view. You could see two dozen different birds just relaxing by the lake.”  

Joseph’s affable nature and pride in his numerous collections related to pyrotechnics and war—think Civil War through WWII guns and other historical artifacts—meant he was also well known far beyond his local area. 

So, when Emily got the call that Joe had passed away, she sprang to action.  

"He joked all the time that I was going to get all his s*** one day, but he was better prepared than you might expect given his other bachelor ways. All of the items in his collections were labeled. And he had shared with me the names of antiques dealers and others he bartered and traded with over the years. I had a head start on what to do with everything valuable.” 

We asked Emily, “But where did you even start? How did you know where to start?”  

“Well, I’ve seen this movie before, being the executor for my mom’s estate and helping my husband with his sister’s, too, so I knew the basics. And I wasn’t alone.”  

Here are Emily’s 5 steps to a DIY estate cleanout, bachelor style: 

Step 1. Security. Joe lived out in the country in a modest 2-bedroom rambler, and didn’t really worry about locking his doors. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone looks out for everyone. But of course, Joe’s reputation as a collector was known far and wide. Not only were his collections valuable, but, if improperly handled, some pieces were dangerous. So, as executor, Emily immediately sent a family member to stay at Joe’s home to ensure his belongings were secured.  

Step 2. Make it legal. Joe had a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD), otherwise known as a beneficiary deed. As such, because he planned ahead and named Emily to receive his home and all of its contents, in a matter of days the property was legally in her name, neatly nipping a prolonged probate process in the bud. 

Step 3. Dust (and tidy). Emily’s lifelong bachelor cousin was not much for cleaning, but this isn’t only about dusting away the cobwebs. His extended dining table was also his home office and the most likely place for her to find bills and statements, her clues to the financial assets and liabilities that were now left to her to sort out. Finding bills to be paid was foremost on her mind. If only this part of his life was as well organized as his war memorabilia! 

Step 4. Grief and ‘stuff.’ “Joe was always telling stories. He loved history. And because the things he collected had stories, I wanted it all to have good homes. We easily could have gotten a dumpster. But how would that honor Joe’s memory, help his close friends grieve, or have been good for the planet? You can’t just throw it all in a landfill!”

A few weeks after the funeral, Emily arranged for a celebration at Joe’s house. While he had no immediate family, the neighbors, other collectors, and extended family were eager to gather to remember their friend. Emily also invited them to select mementos to remember Joe.  

This gathering was then the steppingstone for a broader community initiative to find the right auction houses, antique dealers, and yes, pyrotechnic experts, to liquidate the more valuable (and explosive) assets from Joe’s estate. 

“Some things went at auction for only $1 or $5, many more sold in the $50-75 range, and then there were exceptions hitting $2,000 or more. We used Facebook Marketplace, too, because it’s fast, local, and you’re not giving up 20% or more to an auction house.”

Step 5. The dump. Well, not only the dump. Yes, some items were trashed, but they could re-sell steel, aluminum, and copper scraps from Joe’s various projects, recycle electronics, and bring home goods to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores

checklist of tech items to Artifct and then get rid of

 
 
Have a lot of old machines and tech products hanging out? The clutter of modern living! CLICK THE IMAGE to explore our FREE checklist for all things tech and more.

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At the end of our conversation, we took Emily back to the beginning to ask if she had considered hiring a professional to do all this work at any point during the cleanout. 

“No. Maybe it’s a trust issue, worrying they’d just toss stuff out. But really, I had the time—I’m retired—I already knew what was what inside his home, and I was not doing the work alone. I had my husband’s support. He could have said, ‘Hell with it, I’m not helping. Just sell the place!’ And Joe’s wide network of friends and neighbors helped at every turn, too.  

To tell you the truth, in the end, it feels good.”

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Did you miss our first installment about estate cleanouts? Read it now --> 

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Insider’s Look at What It Means to Clean Out an Estate

Have you ever heard of the Zabbaleens of Egypt? They are a more modern-day version of the ragpickers who took to the streets in major urban centers of London and Paris throughout the 19th century to eke out a living by night to gather and recycle refuse.  

In Egypt, the informal Zabbaleen trash pickers charged households a monthly fee to recycle and upcycle 80% and more of the trash that the households of Cairo generated. What could not be sold, most of it the Zabbaleens reportedly fed to their pigs, the pigs being another household income source.  

In 2003, according to an article by The Guardian, the estimated 65,000 Zabbaleens lost their livelihoods when the Mubarak government privatized trash collection. Nearly overnight, the dismal results of the privatization became apparent. Collection trucks could not make it through Cairo's narrow streets, trash toppled over, and landfills were overwhelmed. It took a decade, along with the support of Egypt’s Minister of the Environment, to return the Zabbaleens to their work. 

Today’s ARTIcles story shares echoes of these lessons and what modern consumer buying behavior, sentiment and expectations combined with the explosion of virtual marketplaces means for home cleanouts for modern day families in the United States.

Modern Day Home Cleanouts

The “why” of a home cleanout, or an estate liquidation, could be the death of a loved one, downsizing with a giant capital D, or perhaps even a life changing relocation. Either way, not all of that ‘stuff’ is coming with you.  

And now you have a new task. Because once you’ve separated out what you will keep or give to family and friends, the lion’s share of items that remain, from everyday linens and furnishings to everything you never wanted to sort through in those junk drawers and closets, will be sitting there waiting for you to find it a new home. 

And we know how incredibly tempting it is to sweep it up into bins or call a junk hauler to get it over with and move on. 

You may not have the time, energy, or know-how to get it all where it needs to go next. And it’s unlikely you keep a virtual rolodex of best fit options to sell, donate, (up)recycle, and trash every item. Cleaning out a home is time consuming, emotionally draining, and physically burdensome work.  

And that is exactly why there are professionals who exist to help us all through these challenging situations. What could take you several weeks to months “in your spare time,” could be done in four days or less by a professional. That gives you back your time to focus on selling your home and otherwise moving on.  

And let’s be honest, for many of us, having an impartial professional helping us means you’ll have another person helping you let go of those heavy sentimental items. Even if you’re okay with the idea of letting go, actually doing so is often a whole different matter.

HOME CLEANOUTS 101 

Once you take out items you and others want to keep, you can simplify your home cleanout by sorting what’s left into into three categories: 

      • Sell 
      • Donate 
      • Recycle & trash 

And the percentage of items each channel represents has transformed dramatically over the last decade. 

“Ten years ago, 75% of the items left behind would have been destined for donation,” according to Matt Paxton, author, TV personality, and founder of Clutter Cleaner. The volume headed to donation has dwindled dramatically, supplanted by new, often online, markets for used goods and a desire by many to earn a little cash.  

“Now we’re selling 80-90% of the items left behind. I donated less than 100 lbs. on our last job. In the past, it would have been at least a ton if not two (2,000 lbs. to 4,000 lbs.). And now only 500-1,000 lbs. is going to the junk haulers.” 

According to Paxton, $8,000 is the average market value for all the stuff left over in the typical home. His estimate is based on his most recent 1,000 cleanouts. “Ten years ago? The attitude was more like, ‘Eh, I’d rather donate it.’ Now every penny counts.” 

Matt laughed as he recalled his move in 2019 from Virginia to Georgia, “Want to guess how much money I got for everything?  $7,800. That even includes the $300 I got when I sold the couch I slept on my last night in Virginia, because the rest had already been moved out.”

The Future is Resale

The future of resale looks rosy, not only because of burgeoning virtual marketplaces but also anticipated trade policies under the current US administration. If prices go up on new goods, especially new goods of debatable quality, people will turn to secondhand goods.  

Do you want to pay 50% more for a poor-quality new item or go vintage/used? It’s not unlike houses, where inferior new-build homes can fail to hold value compared to well-built brick homes of old. Add to that the strong vintage and upcycle alure with the Gen Zs who go out thrifting as their weekend leisure, and again, resale wins. 

“When I think about how much we used to throw away,” lamented Paxton. “We didn’t know!”

According to Paxton, top categories for resale today that were often overlooked in the past include:   

      • Vintage clothing. “A vintage t-shirt can easily sell for $25 today. You have a whole stack stashed in your closet, and you realize how quickly it adds up.” 
      • Recycled books. “This kills me. We threw away 500+ tons of books where now it could be recycled for cash.” 
      • Costume jewelry. “We cash in this type of jewelry for our clients for the value of the gold and silver. It gets melted down.” 
      • Furniture. “Then there’s the furniture, so much of it that we could have gotten $100 a piece for but donated instead. It’s easily more than $100,000 worth of furniture we’ve donated over the years I’ve been in this business.” 
      • Mattresses. This one is a mind bender. “I used to pay $100-200 a piece to dispose of mattresses," said Paxton. "Now we can often resell them to companies that will refurbish them. We’ve converted them from a liability to an asset for our clients.” And that, friends, is a win for homeowners and the environment.

Eager to dive into marketplaces with your items? We’ve curated a list of resources to get you started at the end of this ARTIcles story.

Finding a Professional for Your Home Cleanout and Getting Prepared

Do you want to work with a professional to cleanout your home? Paxton, founder of Clutter Cleaner, a national estate cleanout and move management company, recommends considering and interviewing a few types of professionals. Some offer comprehensive packages and others will expertly coordinate and bring in other providers as needed, such as appraisers, junk haulers, and more, to provide the services you need: 

You will spend a substantial amount of time with this company if you choose them to help you clean out your home. Call multiple professionals and choose the one that you enjoy spending time with. “You should enjoy their personality and fully understand their process. Consider working with them for an hour or two to see how you like working with their team.  Make sure it’s a match before you hire them for a full week,” said Paxton. 

You’ve Found Your Pro. Now What?

Once you have picked the cleanout partner that is right for you, go through the house and mark the items you absolutely know you are keeping or shipping to a friend or family member.  

Once you’ve done that, then call the professional and schedule a date to get started with them.  

They are there to help you figure out what to do with the stuff you don’t know what to do with and/or be the muscle behind your plan. Sometimes it’s not a total home cleanout. You may just need help packing up and picking up some heavy items.

Can You DIY a Home Cleanout? Should You DIY Your Home Cleanout?

We had the pleasure of interviewing several families who opted for the DIY home cleanout experience. Not only was each clearing out the home of a deceased loved one, but their reasons for DIYing were shockingly similar and fell into six categories: 

      • Time, a lot of time. In all cases, at least one of the family members or executors leading the effort was retired and had no obligations that prevented them from committing any time they desired to cleaning out the home. In the words of Washington D.C.-based home organization professional Judy Tiger, "It is mind-bendingly time consuming to list items for sale online and make arrangements for pickup. And that's on top of the security considerations for pickup and recieving payment." She emphasizes that it's critical for people to do an honest cost-benefit analysis at the get go, i.e., the cleanout service fee versus the potential sale of items and unlocking of potential home equity sooner.
      • Proximity. The home in question was local to them, meaning they did not have to commit to spending hours on the road or flying across the country to get the job done. They also had local knowledge of places to donate and sell items.  
      • Legal and financial go ahead. Legally, there were no probate issues preventing them from accessing the property and dispersing its contents. There was no conflict either as to what to do with the belongings – ownership and intention were clear and respected. Financially, there was no immediate or compelling need to liquidate rapidly.  
      • Community. Whether it was other family members, neighbors, or friends, a whole community of people stood up to ask how they too could help with the cleanout process. “Many hands make light work,” goes the expression.  
      • Knowledge. The executors and/or family had deep knowledge of both their loved one’s intentions for their home and everything in it as well as prepared list of resources for who to contact in case of their demise to sell items of specific financial and/or historic value.  
      • Intrinsic motivation. Whether it was about honoring their loved one, enjoying the sorting process, or feeling good about finding new homes for items and/or recycling them in ways that are good for the planet, each person we spoke with had an interest in doing the work themselves. 

A Word of Caution on DIYing Your Home Cleanout

It’s one thing to slowly declutter and downsize your belongings when you are not moving, on your own, item by item, at your leisure. It’s another if you plan to DIY a home cleanout for yourself or a loved one. Are you sure you are using your time wisely? Value your time at at least $20/hour. If you spend 10 hours preparing to sell an item, then you’ll need to receive $200 for that item to breakeven. Make sure the DIY is actually saving you money.

You do not have to look far to find stories about the time, financial, and emotional costs of home cleanouts. The Reddit thread pictured below was started by someone clearing out an aunt’s home and business office, a time-consuming double whammy that by doing on their own “took over their life” and delayed saving money on rent and from selling the farm and home, too.

reddit thread about a home cleanout

Most of us are over 50 when we start this process. Do we really want to spend the next 5 years of our lives cleaning out the past, or do we want to spend it creating new memories with our loved ones today?

Explore the World of Resale

Curious about where to sell everything you aren’t taking with you? Here are some (primarily) virtual marketplaces pros use, and you can too.  

GENERAL HOME GOODS 

LUXURY AND OTHER HIGHER END GOODS OR COLLECTIBLES 

You can certainly look to local luxury consignment and resale shops, but depending on your items, you may find more value in the reach of some of these virtual marketplaces: 

      • The RealReal, "Where luxury is yours to define," therealreal.com
      • Poshmark, "Buy, sell, and discover fashion, home decor, beauty, and more," poshmark.com 
      • 1stDibs, "The most beautiful things on earth: Antique and modern furniture, jewelry, fashion, & art," 1stdibs.com
      • Auction houses, such as Bonhams, Doyle, Heritage Aucitons, and Nye & Company
      • Specialty antique and collectibles dealers (too numerous to list - search online based on your item)

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Estate sales and cleanouts on your mind? You might also enjoy these ARTIcles by Artifcts:

I've Seen This Movie Before: One Family's True Story of an Estate Cleanout

5 Reasons Why Modern Estate Sales Companies are Turning to Artifcts

From Rare Art to Family Heirlooms: Tips From a Master as You Consider Selling Your 'Stuff'

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Five Reasons Modern Estate Sales Companies are Turning to Artifcts

We’ve all been there. The client is under contract. You’ve agreed to firm deadlines. And then doubt and indecision creep in. Dissenting voices emerge from among the family members, even those you have never met and live states away, as to the items to include in the sale. The client worries - will they earn enough in the sale to meet some minimum expectation or even finance their future plans?  

Much of what a client owns, they simply own. It decorates their homes or maybe serves some functional requirement - why, hello, Chair. But then there’s a selection of objects that hold intense sentimental value to them, or are collections that took years to curate, and they pause. Objects have histories, people have memories, and it all gets really complicated. And complicating it still further is often their “why” behind the liquidation. 

Helping sellers and clients get to happily ever after is Artifcts, an award-winning technology platform that captures the stories and the value behind the objects inside those homes. Artifcts provides value to support the sales process, whether you use it yourself as an estate sale company or encourage prospective clients to try it out. Here are just 5 benefits Artifcts offers that will make you stand out and be a market differentiator. 

1. Get the client over the finish line. Prep, with an expeditious capital P, is the name of the game and Artifcts is a powerful tool to help with the sorting process of what goes to the sale and what goes… anywhere else! Your client can create a highly visual and accessible Artifcts collection that is also shareable and downloadable, giving them an immediate sense of progress.  

2. Less last minute “cherry picking.” Are you sure the client is ready to let go of that and that and that? By introducing them to Artifcts, you’re offering a tool to help them come to terms with and capture their emotional attachment to items, so they can keep the memories, even if not the objects. 

3. Potentially increase the total estate sale value. What sells better – a jacket owned by Bruce Springsteen or a jacket owned by… you? Capturing cool historical details and context about the life of any object can help increase clearance rates and overall profitability. Transform objects into modern heirlooms! As you create an Artifct, this is also your chance to ask for supporting documentation - certificates of authenticity, appraisals, receipts - to further bolster the provenance and value. And Artifcts’ new ARTIAssist (currently in testing with the Artifcts Greenhouse, a multi-industry focus group) blends the best of image recognition with AI chat to provide historical details, price estimates and more, too! 

4. Earn additional billable hours. As an Artifcts Professional you can privately and securely create Artifcts on behalf your client and securely transfer the Artifcts to the client’s account when your work is complete. Little to no training is required – if you can create your own Artifct today, you can Artifct with and for a client tomorrow. Training resources and downloadable guides for you and your clients are included in your ARTIPro membership. ARTIPro memberships start at $99/year; gifted, branded client memberships start at $45. 

5. Be the estate sales agent with heart. No one likes to feel runover. But as sellers, you have a job to do. It may have taken your client a lifetime to collect and accumulate everything in their home, and now Artifcts offers a means to honor it before it’s scattered to the winds. Introducing your clients to Artifcts early in the process will help them to transform ‘stuff’ into memories to take away with them (and remembering you fondly for reviews and onward referrals) when the sale is done.

Button: Become an ARTIPro

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Beyond the Box: Memories, Stories, and 'Stuff'

“The only thing I kept was a collection of assorted trinkets stored in a shoebox: the clarinet cap that had belonged to the boy with leukemia, the key chain with the gold star, my Steif mouse from Dr. Salinger’s menagerie.” Betsy Lerner, Shred Sisters 

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There are no clear statistics on how many Americans have memory boxes, although an informal survey of Artifcts community members and friends found that 100 percent of those asked did indeed have a memory box, bin, or even a drawer. The most minimalist among us even had a memory box (or two!).  

Memory boxes are widely used for bereavement support, family history preservation, and dementia care, where the content of the memory box can help patients remember past people and events. Choices abound for those looking for a specific type of box for a specific purpose, as detailed in our Boxes Abound! ARTIcles story. 

We’ve seen over the years how no two memory boxes are alike—the contents of Amy Shred’s box as quoted above are different from the contents of your box, my box, etc. We all have certain things that we hold on to for different reasons. The contents of our memory boxes are reminders of our past, connections to people, places, and events near and dear to us. Most memory boxes are overflowing with heart value, even if the financial value is dubious at best. Case in point, the now-disintegrating rose petals our co-founder Heather has kept for the past eight years. Pure heart value.  

Preserve and Share the Memories 

The whole point of creating and storing a memory box is to keep the memories safe for years to come. But how will anyone know WHAT those items are, let alone the memories that led you to keep them. Neither ‘stuff’ nor photos can talk, and all too often our carefully preserved and curated boxes become a mystery to the next generation, often ending up in a trash or recycling bin. 

We can do better than that!  

We challenge you over the five days to pick one item a day from your memory box and Artifct it on the spot. With Artifcts, there is no story burden, you can come back and edit and add to the story as often as you want! “My husband gave me this rose on our first date,” is all the story you need to connect those petals that are now floating around your memory box to a cherished memory. 

Challenge accepted? Great!  

Follow our easy steps below to ensure your memories, stories, and memory box contents are digitally preserved and contextualized for the next generation. 

      1. Pick an object! Don’t stress over where to start first. What is the first item you see when you open your memory box?
      2. Snap a photo. If you’re up to it, you can add a related audio or video clip, too, or record something new. 
      3. Add a short story. Even a simple fact of WHAT the item is may be enough to get you started. 
      4. Save! You’re done. Now you can privately share your Artifct with family and friends.  

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Imagine if one day you inherited Amy Shred’s memory box, and you discovered the clarinet mouthpiece. You KNOW your mom didn’t play clarinet, but there’s a mouthpiece in her memory box. What gives?  

This is one of the many superpowers of Artifcts—Artifcts lets you contextualize and give voice to your memories, stories, and histories on your terms.  No more guess work or made-up stories in our endless attempts to connect dots and find meaning in the things we keep.  

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Interested in additional ARTIcles? You may like the following:

Why One Mom Moved Beyond Memory Boxes and Instagram

Gift Your Loved Ones a Why

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Do You Celebrate a Cancer-versary?

Do you celebrate a cancer-versary? Are you wondering what is a cancer-versary?

Well, that depends a bit on the person. For me, I have two cancer-versaries I can’t forget, even if I want to. One is January 2nd, the day I received my diagnosis. The other is March 6th, the day I became cancer free (to the best of my knowledge and that of a highly skilled team of doctors). Others, particularly those with metastatic breast cancer, may celebrate other milestones, like beating certain odds they were given. While still others, due to recurrence, may have many more dates that they recognize in some form.

I meant to write an update to share what it’s like now at my one-year cancer-free cancer-versary, but life had other plans. My hope had been that I'd be feeling similar to a friend who three-years after her mastectomy told me by text, “[Having breast cancer] is hardly something I remember. It’s like it never even happened.” 

text message exchange

My path is different from hers. As my one-year anniversary approached, the writing was already on the wall – I would need more surgery. My life was not at risk, you could call it maintenance really, but still, surgery is surgery. And as it turned out, I needed two more surgeries. In a “let’s get this over with” decision, I elected (foolishly) to have them back-to-back in April.  

And now, it’s May, and exactly the right moment to talk again publicly because May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I think it’s important to acknowledge how much cancer can weigh on a person’s mind and alter your entire sense of self. You can feel like your body is not your own, like it’s betrayed you, and you do not recognize it anymore. And how we all process that change is as varied as, well, I don’t know, snowflakes? And it can shift, too. 

As October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month drew to a close, I’ll admit that I took off the necklace I wore daily to signal, “I’m opening to talking about breast cancer.” I was exhausted by it. I needed a break from all things cancer. 

gold necklace with heart icons on breasts

 
 
Sweet necklace gifted to Ellen by a fellow survivor. It's called "Twins," by HeyHarper.

Now on the other side of these latest issues, I feel that call to engage again in the cancer community and raise my hand to ask, “How can I help?” People look for silver linings in the darkness, finding ways to help is mine.

How can breast cancer survivors help each other?

If you’re also looking for ways to connect with or support others in the breast cancer (or another!) community the answer is simple: Show up! 

Volunteer. Did you know some infusion centers allow volunteers to sit with people as they receive their chemo treatment or to help transport them to/from appointments? Yes, there’s a bit of red tape, but you can do it!  

If you’re thinking, nope, not for me, what can I do from home? Consider volunteering your health data, sharing it quickly, easily, securely via the ShareForCures breast cancer research registry by Susan G. Komen. 

For me, it was a no brainer to securely share my health data for research. We give away our data every day for less! We give it away so we can have a social media account without ads. We give it away for tiny 10 and 15% discounts. We give it away so we can use an app we can't live without. So why not give your data, not for profit, but to save lives in the future? Learn more -> 

 
 
CLICK THE IMAGE to read the 2025 Susan G. Komen Impact Report, and check out Ellen and her dog Sherlock, too!

Share publicly. Sharing your cancer story does not mean announcing any or every detail of your experience on social media or on a podcast. It certainly can mean that.  

I chose to share publicly even though I have a lukewarm relationship at best with social media. I did it so I could immediately reach the most people with two messages: I am here to help, and I beg you, get your screenings. Sadly, despite some truly astounding improvements in detection and treatments, modern medicine remains best equipped to treat cancer that’s caught early. 

I have well behave breast cancer post, Instagram

 
 
CLICK THE IMAGE to view the post on Instagram.

Sharing your cancer experience can also be about opening up in more intimate one-on-one conversations or group settings.  

My neighbor confessed to skipping a 6-month follow-up scan after I privately shared my cancer diagnosis with her. She immediately scheduled her scan and luckily remains cancer free. Early detection matters and your story can make that difference for someone! 

I was in San Diego recently for work and the conference organizers mentioned a free yoga class. I signed up as did five others from the conference, a couple of whom I had met before. I shared that I had just had surgery linked to my cancer and needed some move modifications. One thing led to another and it turned out that four of the six of us had already gone through breast cancer. I was the youngest by some margin, but four out of six! I was stunned. We started swapping stories and tips. I even bought a new scar cream to try as a result.

Pick up the phone. Have a friend going through treatment? Answer when they call. Text them when they have appointments. Make plans together that fit their treatment and recovery schedules. 

Even as a cancer survivor, it can be so easy to worry about what is the right thing to say to someone going through cancer treatment that we say nothing at all. Unless you really go unhinged with claims that are not backed by science, religious dogma, or all the reasons why you think they brought this on themselves, I’m fairly certain that they will hear your concern and not judge you for what you do or do not say. 

Just show up. That’s enough.

How We’re Helping at Artifcts

When it comes to making lemonade from the lemons that are cancer, I’m in the less common position of being the co-founder of a company. And not just any company, but a company that cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers can use throughout their journeys as a sort of private digital scrapbook.

2024 – We Were Just Getting Started 

Last year, Team Artifcts raised more than $8,000 through fundraising for the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK walks in Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas. Not only did friends and family join us at these walks but members of the Artifcts community and business partners, too. That’s the difference between caring for not only what you’re building, but how and why you’re building it, too.   

Ellen, Heather, and Erin walk D.C.

Artifcts also raised $2,500 as a partner through Artifcts gift memberships sold here. You can even choose a pink ribbon themed gift!

And I served on the Executive Leadership Committee for the MORE THAN PINK walk in Austin, Texas, to help bring in corporate sponsorships.

2025 – We’re In This for the Long Haul

As we look ahead, Artifcts has renewed its Friends of Komen agreement with Susan G. Komen. Buy a membership for yourself or as a gift and we’ll donate to Susan G. Komen. Buy or a gift a membership today -->  

gift cards for Artifcts memberships

I will also serve on the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK walk Executive Leadership Committe again, this year turning my dreamer nature to a local marketplace filled with products and experiences beneficial to cancer patients, survivors, and supporters. 

We’ll also continue to share new resources we learn about to help all those affected by cancer. One of our favorites is We Got This (wegotthis.org), which is a gift registry for cancer thrivers and supporters. The founder Elissa Kalver’s story is one that at the start reminds us all to listen to our bodies and fight for our voices to be heard. But as We Got This and the movement around it grows, we’re in constant awe at what one person with a mission and vision can do to help so many.

Last but not least, I am announcing here and now my standing offer to provide free virtual workshops for cancer communities. During these workshops, I share my own surprising use of Artifcts as a private, digital scrapbook to document all things breast cancer. We walk through examples of how you can privately Artifct in a journal format or scrapbook style (all the gifts, cards, flowers and more) and create sharing lists and circles with others in your network. We each create an Artifct together during the workshop, with the option to share live with other participants.

If you need someone to talk with, reach out. I am here for you: Ellen@Artifcts.com.

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Keepsake Boxes, Remembrance Boxes, Memento Boxes - Boxes Abound!

Boxes, binders, and bins, oh my! Maybe you know them as keepsake, remembrance, memento, memory, or memorial boxes. Some memory boxes even mirror the binder approach, with tabs by topic, checklists, and pouches for loose keys, thumb drives, and other small and useful or meaningful objects. 

No matter what, before you stick any ‘stuff’ in your box of choice and snap on the lid, Artifct it to remember what it is and why it mattered. Unlike boxes, Artifcts are:

      • Instantly and perpetually organized and searchable 
      • Fireproof and waterproof
      • Able to combine text, video, audio, and photos for every item
      • Easily shareable and accessible online to anyone you choose, anywhere, anytime 
      • Do not take up space or require dusting

And, obviously, the stuff inside your Artifcts collection will not run the risk of outlasting your memories like a box full of stuff will. The memories are captured and preserved. You are no longer the single point of failure, the family keeper of the memories behind the mementos. Breathe a sigh of relief!

Keepsake Box Options Abound

For those of us who relish holding onto those curated items that mean the most, we’ve tried to distill here what we’ve learned about the variety of boxes available. A common search on Google is "acid-free keepsake box," which tells you people care about keeping items for the long haul.

Many major retailers, like Crate and Barrel, The Container Store, Pottery Barn, Target, Hallmark, and Amazon, sell at least one or two. So, we know there’s demand, people are looking for them. We suspect from how they are marketed that a box makes for a simple and obvious gift for special occasions. You’ll see below that the options and qualities vary. There is something for most needs, styles, and price points! 

(Listed in alphabetical order.) 

    • Akin offers custom boxes that fit and showcase the curated items you have chosen to help tell your story - whether it’s memorabilia, journals, photographs, documents, records, or more. What further sets Akin apart is that it offers services bundled around the box for custom-designed books and genealogy research to help commemorate family stories and ancestral histories.

"Present and preserve your keepsakes as opposed to hiding them away. A curated memorabilia box not only holds your most treasured pieces, it should tell their origin story—beautifully and archivally—so they can be cherished and shared for years to come," explained Renee Innis, Akin Founder.

    • Archival Methods offers archival boxes as well as a whole product category for “object storage.” They have additional custom options for fitting objects more snuggly in the boxes, too. Check them out on Allies in 'Stuff' for a discount code!
    • Etsy is a logical choice for creative and custom options you’ve never even knew existed, offering a breathtaking variety of sizes, styles, and materials to match your purpose or occasion.
    • Infinity Trunk is new to this list since we first published this article. If you need more space like the cedar trunks of old, and truly want a box that is fireproof (and will not be damanged by the water to put out that fire either), this is the box for you. And if it burns, still protecting your items, they will even replace the box for free! Designed and built by expert engineers in Chicago.
    • Nokbox is about functional preparedness, organizing critical information about your life in a box. Keep in mind that if you’re going to store and rely on hardcopy, however, we strongly encourage: (1) fireproof, and know what that covers, (2) never put passwords into a single physical, open access, hardcopy location, and (3) use a digital equivalent for all your life documentation (such as a digital vault from Trustworthy). Digital options are less vulnerable, easier to update, and accessible from anywhere.
    • Petite Keep offers more traditional aesthetics for its boxes, sort of a Pottery Barn or Draper James feel, with customization for initials, patterns, and more.
    • Savor, in contrast to Petite Keep, offers a cleaner, more basic style like you might find from archival-quality sources. Its collection has expanded to offer drawers for vertically oriented boxes, built-in envelopes, and more to cover whatever ‘stuff’ you might have in mind to combine.  

Need we say it again? Just as we tell you “Before you store it, Artifct it," before you box that, Artifct that, too. And slip your Artifcts collection QR code inside or as a sticker on the box for safe keeping of all those stories, videos, and more from your Artifcts collection. Your future self will thank you! And if you need a little help getting started, check out Artifcts concierge options. ->

My Artifcts homepage with option to create personal collection QR code

 
 
 
Each Artifct has a QR code as does your Artifcts Collection. Access it from My Artifcts -> 

Before We Go, a Word to the Wise: Know What You’re Buying

Archival does not always mean archival. What? Yes; sad truth. Sometimes archival only means the paper is acid free, for example. And if you are a proponent of recycled paper, you have another potential recipe for disaster once you shut objects inside and create a little microclimate for terrible things to brew.

If you are popping items into a box that you truly cherish, do the homework on your archival products, or speak to a professional. You can contact nationwide companies like Archival Methods—one of our Allies in 'Stuff'—and Gaylord Archival or seek out archivists in your local area for guidance, products, and services.

The same goes for fireproof. Look up the certification on any product that you plan to purchase and see what it was tested to withstand.

 
 
Learn more about all things archival, fireproof, and protecting your photos, too, in this replay of Evenings with Artifcts.

Happy Artifcting!

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You might also enjoy a guest article shared here on Artifcts in response to this story: 

Why One Mom Moved Beyond Memory Boxes and Instagram

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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The Real Gift: Time with Mom Sharing Stories of 'Stuff'

Artifcts is grateful to Arti Community member @Buchalgi for sharing her sweet story of bringing Artifcts into the birthday celebrations with her mother. Do not miss the final words of this story. They are everything.

___________________

What do you get your 85-year-old mother for her birthday? She doesn’t need a thing. She doesn’t want a thing.

Does she want to go out for the day and have lunch or go shopping? No, not really.

So, what does she love? Well, she loves her friends, her family, and telling stories about the past. Bingo! I decided to fly down and spend a day last week asking her about things that I’ve seen in her home, but never knew the story behind them, and then, Artifct them!

We started the day with me choosing 5 items in her house.

It started with the green metal plate on the wall. I remember that plate forever, in all the homes we’ve lived in, always on the wall. I never knew the origin or who gave it to her, or why, or when. She told me how the plate was a gift from her grandmother who had come back from her honeymoon in Isreal in 1968. She wanted to bring something back for her eldest granddaughter (my mother) and her husband. My mother remembered the level of detail to say they were all together on Cozine Street in Brooklyn and I was there (aged 19 months) wearing a pink & white dress that she had bought me to celebrate their wedding. She told the story like it was yesterday and delighted in the fact that I was typing as fast as I could to keep up with the details.

 
 
Did you know you can record audio and video directly in the Artifcts app? Or add the same to your Artifcts on desktop/laptop computers? Get Mom's stories her way, funny expressions, intonations, and bluppers included, for always. 

Next was the candy dish. I have seen this dish on every end table or coffee table for as many years as I can remember. It was usually filled with hard candy but got filled with better candy when company was coming. And I can remember reaching into it for a hand full of M&Ms on many occasions. I didn’t know that the dish was given to my mom and dad as a gift when they got their first place, and I didn’t know it was a hand-me-down gift from my grandparents who also received it as a gift for their first apartment. It was from the Fostoria Glass Company in 1952. They closed in 1986 after 100 years in business, but I imagine their pieces have a place in a lot of family histories.

glass candy dish from Fostoria Glass Company

 
 
We wonder, how many people have Artifcted candy dishes? We know it's many, including this dish. If you do not have a candy dish in your family yet, maybe it's time to get one!

We went on to talk about Nana’s hot chocolate pot, the framed family photos found in a box, the baby record books with beautiful illustrations, the favorite pieces of artwork, and so much more. Hours had gone by. I was tired and she wasn’t. She was elated. She honestly loved that I asked for these stories. This is how we celebrated her birthday, but who got the gift?

###

Mother's Day Surprise!

We always honor Mother's Day with our deepest sale of the year at Artifcts.

We love our men, don’t get us wrong, but it’s more often than not the women who:

- Keep our homes and lives decluttered and organized on a daily basis
- Play the role of family keeper and the memories, birthdays, and family history that entails
- Become the caregiver, even when still raising their own children
- In the end, take on the role of estate executor to clean-out the homes of our loved one’s when they pass.

This year, in addition to our 30% off sale, we are also offering a special gift FREE with any purchase of a bundled Artifcts membership + virtual conicerge session. We will ship our premier Artifct That! Kit to the destination of choice, gifting ready. Just look for the "Bundle & Save" at checkout!

bundle and save

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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