Across the US, homeowners are watching their insurance premiums skyrocket. According to an analysis of insurance industry reports, average premiums have risen over 20% in the last year alone, with no signs of slowing. And when disaster strikes — from hurricanes and wildfires to floods and theft — insurance payouts can take three to six months or longer to be fully processed and received. 

Even when claims are approved, homeowners are often left grappling with another harsh truth: some things can be replaced, but many cannot. And often the things that cannot be replaced are the ones that we value most. They may not be the ones that hold the most financial value, but they certainly tend to hold a lof of what we call “heart value.” 

What’s a Needlepoint Pillow Worth? 

Let’s say your insurance company writes you a check for the fair market value of your damaged or stolen items. Refrigerator? Check, that’s easy. Sofa and loveseat, double check.  

But what’s the monetary value of Nana’s handmade needlepoint cushions that sat in her living room for decades? Or the vintage charm bracelet your mom wore every holiday? How about your child’s first fingerpainting, lovingly framed and hung in the hallway? 

The answer: There is no replacement cost high enough to recover the meaning of these items. And that’s why we Artifct. 

When Disaster Strikes, an Artifct Is Your Memory Vault 

Natural disasters don't give us time to prepare. But a digital record of your most sentimental belongings means you can prove ownership, document financial value (when possible), and most importantly — preserve the memories even if the object is lost. 

While insurance companies assess damage and estimate costs, your family won’t be left trying to remember what that cherished object looked like or where it came from. You’ll already have a rich, secure record, and a legacy to pass on. 

This October, we challenge you to Artifct the irreplaceable. Not everything in your home, just the things that would break your heart to lose. Start with: 

• A family quilt with generations of history sewn into its fabric
• The wedding china no one dares eat off of, but everyone remembers
• Dad’s old fishing rod, full of childhood memories
• A handwritten letter tucked in a book from someone long gone 

Click on the image to view the Artifct, one of many irreplaceable items of this family's history.

At the end of the day, no insurance policy (or AI algorithm for that matter) knows what matters most or what items have the most heart value to you and your family.  

Your Family’s History Is Worth Saving 

As you celebrate Family History Month this October, don’t stop at genealogy charts and old photographs. Think about the physical items that tell your family’s story. Think about the why behind them. And give yourself (and future generations) the gift of preserving not only the item, but the history, stories, and memories that go along with it. 

Because in the end, your history is more than names and dates. It’s the objects you touch, the stories you tell, and the people you love. 

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Looking for additional tips to help you be prepared for all of life's what ifs? You might also enjoy:

Insurance & The Art of Artifcts

How to Choose the Right Home Inventory App for You

How a Simple Act Saved One Man's Most Valued Memory of His Dad

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Feeling overwhelmed by your ever-increasing digital photo collection? Not sure what to do with the boxes and boxes of physical photos you’ve either collected or inherited over the years?  

Chances are you are not alone. We take photos to capture a memory or moment in time. We keep photos not because of the actual photo (except in rare circumstances) but because of the memories and emotions they evoke.  

This leaves most of us with an ever-growing collection of photos, some of which take up valuable space in our homes, and others that take up valuable space on our devices. It also leaves us with a lot of snapshots in time, but very few documented memories, stories, and the like for our loved ones.  

As we wrap up Save Your Photos Month, we’d like to propose a challenge—over the next five days, pick a photo a day and Artifct it along with the story, memory, and maybe even the reason WHY you love that photo.  

You don’t need to have a paid Artifcts account to take part in this challenge—anyone, anywhere can join. Sign up for free today and get Artifcting! We all have photos and memories worth preserving. 

You also don’t need to overthink it. Five photos. Five stories. Five pieces of you that are now documented and preserved for generations to come.  

After looking at her own post-move mess of photos, frames, boxes, and a soon-to-be collection of 15,000 digital photos, our co-founder Heather decided to give it a go. Her photos, her memories.  

My Favorite Childhood Photo 

This photo has survived more moves than I can count. It’s one of my favorite childhood photos—I have no recollection of the moment, but it always makes me smile.  

Dad & Me. Age 3. Click to view the Artifct. 

I can feel the late Fall sunlight, smell the salt air, and remember the stone step to my childhood home, Briar Bog Farm. My father’s LL Bean flannel shirts, and my purple overalls. I always wore those overalls. Purple was my favorite color after all.  

I shared this Artifct with my daughter and her first response (via text) was, “OMG we look so much alike!” Her second response was, “I didn’t know you liked purple.” And her third, “Did I have a pair of purple overalls when I was younger?” Before I could answer I got the “GTG don’t want to be late for class.” One photo shared, one memory saved, and a new story made. 

You Surfed?!? 

Yes, I surfed. Way back when you could still barter blueberry muffins for a surf lesson or two and a ride out to Cisco Beach in a beat-up Ford van.  

Surfing and surfboard photos. Click to view the Artifct. 

It was the summer between my sophomore and junior years in college. I was working three jobs (bar tending, tutoring, and nannying) but it did not matter. I lived to surf. Any and every free moment was spent on the beach, surfboard in tow. I would (and often did) gladly sacrifice sleep for surfing.  

I smile every time I see these photos. They are a snapshot in time of a crazy, wonderful, totally unexpectedly perfect summer.  

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep 

This is one of the few photos I have printed and framed over the past ten years. My daughter and dear spouse have even asked on occassion when I was planning to replace the stock photo that came with the frame for a “real” photo. 

Sorry to disappoint, but this is the “real” photo. It’s one my favorite spots in the White Mountains, a boardwalk passage across a high-altitude swamp along the Zealand Falls Trail. 

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep. Click to view Artifct. 

Growing up, Robert Frost’s poetry was a constant companion. Whether out for a walk or repairing the paddock fences, there was always a quote or two at hand. Whereas some children are drilled in their ABCs and 123s, I was drilled in verses of one of New England’s most celebrated poets.  

I printed and framed this photo because (1) I love the majestic beauty of the White Mountains, and (2) it is a constant reminder that I have “miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” It’s my little reminder to myself that like any good hiking trail, life is best taken one step at a time.  

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 

This is a private Artifct, and for good reason! The stories, the memories, and the laughs. Always the laughs.  

Go Caps! Sorry, this Artifct is private. 

The photo though is one of my all-time favorites. I framed it the moment I got it, and that framed photo has graced every desk I’ve had since, pre-COVID and post-COVID. My daughter recently took a good look at it while helping me unpack and said, “Wow, you and Aunt G still look exactly the same!” That in and of itself made me smile.  

She then wanted to know the story behind the photo, hence one of my newest Artifcts. She knew it was me and Aunt G in the photo, but she didn’t know the story or even where the photo was taken. Small moments create bigger memories. 

Marry Me?  

This too is going to remain a private Artifct, but the photo is worth a thousand words. And yes, there are a thousand-plus words in the Artifct to back it up.  

Do you have one of those photos that makes you smile every time you see it? That it puts you in a good move no matter what? That’s what this photo does for me.  

Marry Me? Sorry, this Artifct is private.

It was taken the afternoon my now-husband proposed. We were in Telluride for the Blue Grass Festival. He proposed earlier that morning while out on a hike. I was so surprised it took me a moment to answer.  

After I said yes, he wanted to know what I thought he was going to ask. I told him, “I thought you were going to ask if I was hungry and if I wanted pizza!” Well, this photo was taken post-hike and post-pizza, right before we settled into our spots for another night of amazing bluegrass music with the San Juan Mountains as our backdrop.  

Like my favorite childhood photo, I can still feel the sunlight hit my face every time I look at this photo.  

Your Turn! 

Which five photos will you choose to Artifct this week? What five stories will you tell, what five memories will you share?  

Remember, don’t over think it. If you’re not sure where to start, look at your framed photos. Chances are they are framed for a reason! Still stuck for inspiration? Check out our Rescue Those Photos! checklist for some ideas to help you get started.  You can also check out our tips on How-To Artifct That Photo. 

Remember, photos can’t talk, but you can. Start telling your story today. 

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Pivot with us as we take a hard look at our bedrooms this month in our ongoing, “Around the House, With Artifcts” series. Is your bedroom your favorite space? The one you decorate with keepsakes, fun photos, and travel souvenirs?  

Or, is your bedroom a dumping ground of all the things you meant to put away but somehow never did?  Maybe it is somewhere in between? Filled with the items you love, and the stories and memories they evoke, with just enough clutter to make you shake your head and say, “not today.” 

Bedrooms weren’t always private spaces or even reflections of our personal identity. For most of history, shared beds and living spaces were common, but increasing urbanization and the influence of the Victorian era promoted privacy, according to the BBC. The Industrial Revolution enabled more people to have private rooms, a trend that continued with the post-World War II suburban boom which solidified the modern, personal bedroom as a standard part of life.  

So, where does that leave us? With the question that started this all, “What’s Hiding Under Your Bed?” And the close second, “What are you going to do with it?” Read on to get our tips for managing the clutter, while preserving the stories and memories that undoubtedly fill one of the most personal spaces in our homes.  

It Has Value, Either Heart Value or Financial Value 

One of our Artifcts members shared with us that as they were getting ready to move, they discovered a trove of silk-on-silk oriental rugs stashed under their bed. The rugs had been there “for years and years,” and had accumulated a good coating of dust.  

As our member said, “The irony is that we had spent several thousands of dollars purchasing area rugs for our home over the years when we had perfectly good, beautiful rugs waiting for their turn to shine.”  

We recognize that not everyone has a collection of oriental rugs stashed under their bed, but maybe you have something that has similar heart value or financial value. We’ve heard stories over the years of families finding long-forgotten artwork and antique maps, bins of greeting cards and letters, and more safely stashed away, yep, under the bed!  

If you have items of value hiding under your bed, we encourage you to take a moment this weekend and Artifct them. Include a short story or favorite memory, dimensions (if applicable), and attach any documentation (if available) that demonstrates the value to you.  

As for the oriental rugs, it turns out they finally got their turn to shine. Our member was proud to report that after Artifcting the rugs, he decided to display one as a wall-hanging for all to see. Not a bad find (or story!)  

Artifcts member @Matt Artifcted this carpet after discovering it under the bed. 

It’s Just “Stuff” 

Our co-founder @Heather likes to joke that if you look under her bed, chances are you are going to find a healthy dose of golden retriever fur (it never ends!) and stacks of paper, mail, and other odds and ends that she stuffed under there the last time she had company coming over. Relatable, no? 

If you’re dealing with more clutter than not hiding under your bed, take a moment this weekend to sort through what is what and then act. 

• What needs to be filed away for safe keeping (or tax planning)? In the file cabinet it goes, or if you use a digital vault like Trustworthy, scan the documents, upload them to your vault, and then shred the physical copies.
• What needs to be put away where it goes? Kid toys, pet toys, maybe even laundry (hello missing sock!).  
• What can be recycled or trashed? Our list of 108 Object to Declutter from Your Home can help! 

Chances are you are now going to be left with the “stuff” that gives you pause. These items may be important to you, but they may not fit into one of the above categories, and that’s okay.  

If you are on the fence about parting with the item because you are worried about losing the memory or story behind it, take a moment to Artifct it, and then give yourself permission to let go of the item guilt-free knowing the memory and story are safely stored in Artifcts. 

If you aren’t ready to part with the item, set it aside in a bin or basket and come back to it later. Just don't put it back under the bed as out of sight is out of mind! Maybe a little time is all it takes to help you decide what to do with it.   

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Looking for additional tips to help you declutter regardless of which room it is? You might also enjoy:

How to Get Your Kids to Help Clear Out the Clutter 

Aspirational Clutter and Your Closets

Home Organizing Tips to Steal from Movers and Downsizers

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Love photos? You’re not alone! What’s not to love about the memories, smiles, and special firsts all frozen in time for a moment.  

With the ever-increasing ease of digital photography (hello smartphones!) we can capture all those moments and more. In fact, we capture a lot more. Worldwide, we take on average 5 BILLION photos a day, or approximately 57,000 photos per second. According to Photutorial, the average American alone takes 20 photos a day. 

What do you do with all the digital photos that accumulate at an ever-increasing speed?   

Do you post them to social media and wait for the comments and likes to roll in? (Our resident privacy expert recommends that you don't.) Or push them into whatever cloud or other storage device you prefer, and look back through them only for the occasional calendar, school project, or holiday card? Perhaps you send a few to lucky friends and family through one of those digital picture frames, like Aura?  

We’d like to suggest a different approach—Artifct those special photos, the ones that capture something unique, memorable, or otherwise notable. What is more, when you Artifct them, they are automatically added to your Artifcts timeline, instantly creating a contextual history of all things you.  

Put Photo Timelines to Work for You! 

As you Artifct your photos, Artifcts creates your photo timeline automatically. Simply pick a photo, create a new Artifct, add a short story, a date (if known), save, and you’re done. Your Artifct will automatically be added to your timeline based on the date you entered.  

Not sure of the date? We’ve got you covered. Your Artifct will be added to your timeline based on the date you created it; you can always go back later and edit should you remember the date or even the decade.  

Assuming you have created a few Artifcts already, you will find your timeline by  visiting your homepage  and choosing "My Artifcts." You'll see the timeline option marked with a yellow "New!" Want to view just your Artifcted photos on your timeline? Simply select Life's Moments > Photographs as the category while in timeline view and voilà! Your very own personal photo timeline. 

As you explore Artifcts timelines and think about your family photo history, test out the built-in timeline features, because you never know what may inspire you: 

• Switch between annual and decade views. 
• Flip your Artifcts from newest-to-oldest and oldest-to-newest. 
• Drag and drop to move any Artifct to a different year. 
• Add time period notes, per year, about key events, trips, or other firsts. 

Feeling overwhelmed with so many photos and not sure where to start? As part of Save Your Photos Month, we recommend you give yourself a goal. Pick a photo a day, or one a week. Spend five minutes creating and sharing the Artifcted photo with loved ones.  

Just think, if you Artifcted a photo a day for a month, you’d have 30 photos and stories that are preserved for generations to come. Bonus! You’d also have a timeline spanning 30 {days, weeks, months, years!}. All that context, and all those memories, safely documented to protect against all of life’s what ifs.  

Want to learn more? We have great  FAQs  about timelines and  a quick video  ready for you as well. 

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Our good friends and partners at The Photo Managers are once again hosting free virtual events all month long in honor of Save Your Photos Month. Click here to learn more and to register. 

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hello Arti Community! 

It's Ellen here, co-founder of Artifcts. We emailed you all a few weeks ago when Heather and I first discovered Fracture and promised to reveal the rest of the story of our first experience printing photos to glass. More specifically, I shared that I had chosen a hilarious print for my first photo to glass purchase, and I hope this one does not disappoint.

I’ve never been a massive collector. Too much stuff stresses me out. (And it means more to dust!) 

But I’ve always been someone who likes to weave friends and family into my family’s home via artwork they’ve created, heirlooms I’ve inherited, or mementos from travels together. If those things include pops of color, even better. 

Well, about a month ago, a friend of mine who is on an epic 3-month RV road trip with her two dogs shared with me a story about Mercedes the alpaca. I was having a rough morning, so opening up her note to see Mercedes staring at me left me with no choice but to laugh. How could I not?

Fast forward to wanting to choose that first photo on glass with Fracture and having a blank space on the wall in my master bathroom, I knew JUST the photo to choose. For anyone thinking it’s crazy to decorate a bathroom, I ask “Why?” How many times do you see in tv shows and movies characters standing in front of a bathroom mirror psyching themselves up for a big game or meeting? Any room in your house can be inspiring, even the bathroom.

And, really, look at Mercedes. She’s hilarious. And my friend’s story comparing herself to Mercedes makes this pic still funnier. I’ll see the pic, laugh, think of my friend, and prepare for my day. A triple win.

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If you’ll indulge me just one more moment of your time, I want to share with you all that I’ll departing Artifcts at the end of this month. I’ll remain co-founder always and ardent Artifcter, too. But, as this is my final ARTIcles story for you all, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reading our blog, sharing your stories, and celebrating the growth of Artifcts with us. It’s been a joy to write for you, inspire you and be inspired by you, and swap Artifcts with you, too. (Never shared an Artifct with me? Please do! I’m @Egoody.)

I hope you find bursts of Mercedes-esque joy in your own lives every day. Let the ‘stuff’ you surround yourself with bring you happiness and connect you with all whom you love.

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Estate sales truly are about the thrill of the hunt for so many. The unique and unexpected finds, like that one cool item that's kind of kitsch and adds a pop of surprise to an otherwise sophisticated room. Or a fun element like an old brooch or cocktail ring paired with a nice outfit already in your closet. Other finds may be years and even decades in the making, alerts set for the item with every known estate sale, auction, and re-sell shop globally. 

If you’ve never been to an estate sale, you might feel a bit intimidated. You might feel like everyone knows the ins and outs, and you’ll be at a disadvantage both in terms of getting the items you are seeking and naming the right price.  

While there are practically “pro” estate sales shoppers out there in the world, most are curious folks out for some unexpected finds. Grab a friend and read our article to help ease you in and find joy in the hunt. You may even walk away with a story or two to share at your next party.

Finding an Estate Sale and Your “It” Item

Pop onto EstateSales.net, or your preferred estate sales website, to set a search radius (in miles) for how far from a location you’d like to be notified about upcoming estate sales. Some people like to stick close to home, and others love nothing more than a road trip for a great find. 

Then you can start browsing upcoming sales in a way that was not possible years ago. Why? Because now many estate sales are hybrid, showcasing a catalog of items that are auctioned online and other items that will be available only in-person the day of the sale. The online catalog is your “personal thrifting assistant,” according to Marika Clemow, Senior Vice President of Auction Technology Group, boosting your confidence and helping you scope your goals. 

While we’re all familiar with the expression, “Go big, or go home,” you might want to set that aside when it comes to estate sales and instead start small and focused. Set alerts and bookmark items of interest.  

Now, the “day of” experience. You’re lucky, because the most irksome of estate sales attributes is transforming – the line! Traditionally you had to show up hours before the sale, add your name to a list, and wait in line, creating stress for you, subjecting you to poor weather, and often irking the neighbors. But things are changing! Agents who run their sales through EstateSales.net can now allow you to reserve your spot in line and be notified when it’s your turn. It’s just like when you get on the waitlist at a restaurant. That’s a major victory for all. 

Once inside, what do you do? Very likely you make a beeline for the priority items you’ve scoped out online ahead of time. But if you’re just showing up unexpectedly or to be surprised, lovely, meander and enjoy.  

Unlike a museum, you’re encouraged to touch and inspect the items. And you’re certainly encouraged to ask questions. Whomever is working at the estate sale should be well versed in the provenance and backstories of interesting items. If you’re lucky, they’ve Artifcted them and you can simply scan the Artifcts QR code to learn more and take that story home with you.

Who’s Shopping Estate Sales?

Estate sales generally have a little something for everyone. We’re lumping buyers into four categories to give you a feel for the type of people you’ll encounter and how who is shopping can affect the mood and dynamic at a sale. 

The curious, #TreasureHunter. These shoppers enjoy the estate sale for the surprise finds and niche wins. It’s not about turning a profit. They are more inclined to negotiate, amicably browse, share their experience, and preserve stories, too. (Ahem, Artifct those finds!)

Value seekers, #BudgetConscious. Thrifting means saving money on life essentials —e.g., clothes, tools, appliances, holiday decorations, furnishings and more—by choosing well-made and good condition secondhand items. The bonus with estate sales, of course, is the abundant variety, cataloged for easy browsing. Hard to say that about most in-person consignment stores never mind thrift stores! 

The curators and collectors, #CuratedNotCluttered. Still on the enjoyment and story side of the equation but with extensive research and knowledge and a very specific items or set of items on their target list. They will not deviate. They will look at the details to authenticate items. They will not be so inclined to negotiate with other buyers and will be prepared to drive a hard bargain with the sellers.  

The flippers and hustlers, #TurnAProfit. Check out Reddit and you’ll find an abundance of complaints about this type of shopper for everything from vinyl albums and games to sporting goods. They may “hoard” items so they can assess the resale value on the spot, frustrating other shoppers behind them in line. But beware – outside of exceptionally bad behavior, a sale is a sale is a sale.

Uniting these four types of estate sales shoppers? Unlike people who may exclusively take their search online through the likes of Everything but the House, estate sales enthusiasts still love the tactile world of retail. To see, touch, learn in objects’ native environments, with the opportunity to ask questions is part of the experience they seek.

Who are Estate Sales Agents?

It’s worth taking a moment to discuss the person behind the curtain, so to speak. Who are the estate sales agents behind the businesses running these sales? According to a 2024 survey by EstateSales.net, 68% of estate sales business owners are over the age of 55. They've moved on to their 2nd or 3rd careers and bring with them incredible life experience.

But a new generation of owners is coming on the scene, too. A generation prioritizing mission driven work and ideally work that supports a more sustainable, earth friendly future. If nothing else, estate sales are certainly all that.

We talk about re-homing items we Artifct all the time to avoid landfills and waste, like in our story, “Who Wants This Rocking Chair?” Estate sales support sustainability, providing the means to upcycle and recycle remainders as second and third lines of defense. And they are working! Check out trends in estate cleanouts that we covered in, “Insider’s Look at What It Means to Clean Out an Estate.”

Not Ready for an Estate Sale? Try Virtual Sales and Auctions

If you’re not ready or able to show up in-person at an estate sale, we understand. The same channels through which people re-sell “pre-loved” items in lieu of or sometimes in addition to estate sales can become your testing ground for setting up alerts for items of interest to you and only buying what you’re truly seeking.

Check out these in-person and online retailers where you can browse and set alerts for items of interest.

Listed in alphabetical order.

GENERAL HOME GOODS  

• • • Auction Ninja, “The hunt starts here,” auctionninja.com  
    • Bidrush, "Local downsizing & estate online auctions,” go.bidrush.com 
    • Ebay, "Things. People. Love.," ebay.com 
    • EstateSales.net, “Find estate sales, tag sales, and auctions,” estatesales.net 
    • Etsy, "Global marketplace for unique and creative goods," etsy.com 
    • Facebook marketplace, buy and sell locally and nationwide, www.facebook.com/marketplace
    • LiveAuctioneers, "Let's go treasure hunting: auctions for one-of-a-kind art, antiques & luxury goods," liveauctioneers.com  
    • OfferUp, "The simpler way to buy and sell locally," offerup.com    
    • Whatnot, "The live shopping marketplace," whatnot.com 

LUXURY AND OTHER HIGHER END GOODS AND COLLECTIBLES 

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

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.