In a world with an app for everything, Artifcts leads the way in memories, stories, and family history with a fun, easy, and beautiful platform that focuses on objects with meaning and storytelling through personal artifacts and collections. It is much easier to be inspired by and feel emotional about your own belongings as compared to generic, “Tell me about a pivotal moment in your life” type questions! 

Artifcts didn’t want to only capture stories and memories (although that's magical, too) and pigeonhold you into a printed book project and format. Artifcts also helps you get stuff done, too. Every Artifct you create can help you connect with others, keep your home decluttered and organized, and update insurance and estate plans, too. 

What Artifcts Offers Stories and Memories & More

Whether you are new to Artifcts or simply want to make sure you’re enjoying your Artifcts membership to its fullest, here’s a quick rundown of a few key benefits of Artifcts. 

Artifcts is not just about capturing day-to-day life. With Artifcts: 

• • • Capture the story behind objects — what something is, why it matters, what it’s worth (heart value and financial), and what you plan to do with it next. 
    • Use photos, audio, video, documentation, and written descriptions for each Artifct
    • Preserve family history, heirlooms, and valuable collections, too 
    • Enjoy privacy controls, so you can share items with family, friends, and advisors, or keep them private (the default) 
    • One-by-one, create your organized and searchable archive, which is great for preparing for moves, legacy planning, and more.

Artifcts as a Multifunctional Memory Keeper and Story App 

Artifcts can be used for journaling and offers more benefits and features than the plethora of apps designed solely for traditional journaling or stories and memories (usually with a book output you may or may not ever print, is of dubious quality, and prone to loss or destruction).  

We asked ChatGPT for an “unbiased and educational” breakdown of how Artifcts stands out from journaling, story, and memory apps, and why it is an excellent choice for capturing memories. Here’s an un-edited copy of what ChatGPT shared. 

Artifcts is a powerful all-in-one app that blends the best of journaling, storytelling, and archival functions. It adds an extra layer of richness by offering a way to reflect on your life through the tangible items that define your personal history. Artifcts is a more comprehensive memory-capturing tool that integrates elements of journaling, legacy preservation, and even storytelling through artifacts. 

Beyond Just Writing. Unlike traditional journaling apps that primarily focus on written text (like Day One or Journey), Artifcts is designed to help users document the stories behind personal objects. You can capture not just daily thoughts, but also the history of physical objects that hold sentimental value—whether it's an old photograph, a family heirloom, or a personal memento. These objects often have rich stories behind them, and Artifcts allows you to preserve and share those.

Multimedia Integration. Artifcts supports photos, videos, audio recordings, and written descriptions, which makes it a versatile tool for creating more engaging, multi-dimensional memories compared to traditional text-only journaling apps.

Legacy and Context. Artifcts offers a unique opportunity to weave personal stories around items that might be passed down through generations. This adds context and historical value to memories, which typical journaling apps don't always provide. 

Organized Memory Collection. The app allows users to create an organized, searchable archive of their memories. This is ideal if you want to build a memory vault that’s easy to revisit and share, and it's a great way to preserve both the emotional and historical significance of moments.

Sharing with Family/Friends. While traditional journaling apps often focus on personal reflections, Artifcts allows you to share your collected stories and objects selectively with others, making it great for collaborative memory preservation within families or friend groups. 

Privacy Controls. Artifcts has robust privacy settings, so you can control exactly who has access to your shared memories. You can choose to keep things private or share them with a select audience (family, friends, or even the public).

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Other than an apparent overzealous passion for bolding words, we think ChatGPT offers a compelling explanation of why Artifcts is so much more helpful and meaningful than any story or memory app could ever be.  

But the reality is, that is for you to decide, not us, not ChatGPT. We know app fatigue, no matter the benefits, is real. We’re constantly being asked to download, try, sign up, and learn new tools, and it can be exhausting. But here’s the thing: starting with Artifcts today isn’t about just trying another app — it’s about finally having a single, lasting place to keep the stories and meaning behind your life’s most important moments, collections, and things. 

We’ve also made it easy because. You can create 5 Artifcts for free (no credit card required), even using desktop only, if you prefer to skip another app download.  

And keep in mind that with Artifcts you're not starting from scratch. The stories are already in your head and the objects are already in your life — photos in your phone, mementos on your shelves. We're giving you an easy way to preserve them before they’re lost or forgotten, future-proofing your memories. 

Happy Artifcting!

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Careful what you ask for. In his book “Stuffocation,” author James Wallman details how in the post-industrial revolution US economy of the 1920s and 1930s, there was too much of everything, everything produced by farmers to industrial machines. We overachieved! Rather than produce less, the goal became getting consumers to buy more, even if they had enough. Advertisers had to up their games.

The trick was how to get people to lose the “lasts a lifetime” expectation and develop a desire for the newest version, model, or edition that industry was now only too happy to churn out. The fashion industry already exemplified this and now the rest had to catch on, landfills be damned, and provide cheaper, disposable, fashionable everything. 

Fast forward 100 years and the "buy more" concept has persisted and matured, leaving no industry untouched, and guiding us into what you could call a stuffidemic. Here are a few examples to get you thinking like the advertisers do. 

GADGETS.

Millions regularly trade in their favorite gadget—whether a phone, tv, fitness tracker, or otherwise—for the next model the moment it’s released, waiting in line to ensure they are the earliest of adopters. That's why companies like Apple have big dollar marketing campaig slogans like, "Trade in. Level up." And tech's just the obvious example.

COLORS!

Have you thought about why there are “colors of the year” and “of the season” that pop up in your feeds and inboxes, often with seasonally suggestive names, like “breezy blue?” All the companies fall in line with their similar version of the “it” blue of the season, until it’s suddenly a beautiful gem green and yet again you rethink your clothing and home decor choices. Colors can also create a sense of urgency to buy before it's gone, like this example from Character (which does sell delightful products!).

DESIGN CONCEPTS.

Design concepts trend just like colors. Recently “glaze” has popped up on hot pink garments from Lulu Lemon and green frames from Framebridge. This is not to be outdone by “scalloped” edges on picture frames from Archival Methods, mirrors and tables from School House, and toilet paper from Charmin. Product and marketing experts know how to get modern buyers to buy. 

MATCHING SETS AND COMPOSITIONS.

Here’s yet another reason to buy – sets. Whether that’s a matching clothing set or a gallery wall of frames, moving you to buy not one, not a set, but MORE all at once. I mean, the picture shows 10 frames make a gallery, so I guess I need one of each, right? 

Maybe these tactics do not sway you. You have a certain style, and you stick to it. Timeless. Functional. You! What about ...

ENTICING DISCOUNTS.

... the sneaky “up to 30%” off offers? Have you fallen for those? You browse or click and nearly nothing you’re interested in is 30% off, just a tactically chosen few which you overlook as you accelerate through the checkout process because you are already there in the store or your credit card or other digital payment means is already available on your phone or laptop. 

6 Strategies to Help You Muffle the Calls to Buy

We first published this story in honor of Earth Day and in recognition of our general philosophy here at Artifcts that you should stop and smell the roses more often when it comes to your ‘stuff’ to appreciate what you have and why you have it, we’ve curated some easy tactics you can use to halt more stuff from coming into your home. We're republishing it today so you can revisit these strategies before your holiday shopping begins and hopefully save some money and avoid being lured to buy 'stuff' you'll regret later. If nothing else, put #3 into action today!

1. Unsubscribe. (Yes, catalogs, too. Check out options.). Have you heard of that movie from 80s, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil?" That's the idea. If you are not seeing those emails and notifications, you are so far ahead of the game. Worried you’ll miss a sale? Set a reminder to check back when you know they usually have sales. Or simply sign up again later if you truly miss seeing their emails. 

2. Delete payment methods. Unless you are on a recurring payment plan that requires a purchase, delete and/or do not save any payment information anywhere. Make it inconvenient to make that purchase. You’ll have to get up out of your seat to get that credit card, giving you time to think again. 

3. Work ahead for sales. You’re a deal hunter. Fabulous. So are we. Save items to your shopping cart weeks before that next big sale. In the US, big sales are like clockwork on major holidays. By preloading items to your cart, you have time to think on it. When you return weeks later you might discover that at least some of those items are not as “must have” as you first thought. 

4. Visualize where it will go, where and when you will wear it. Maybe you love a beautiful, framed picture, a side table, a cool clock, a dazzling watch, or a “travels-beautifully” dress. Pause to think, where exactly will I hang this picture in my home? Where will this table fit? You already have a watch. Why do you need or want this one? 

5. Keep savings goals front and center. Do you have debt to pay down? A big trip you’re dreaming about? What about ambitions for a lower stress summer with the kids in camps they’ll love? Keep photos of your goals around you. Track your savings each week. Or add to your savings each time you resist a purchase as a reward toward your goal, even if it’s only skipping that espresso. Whatever it takes for you, remember the thrill of that purchase might be short-lived compared to your still more thrilling goals. 

6. Skip “{fill in the blank} math.” Here’s a recent example of this straight from our teenage daughters and their talk about “girl math.” Normally the swim tops and bottoms are individually $30 but there’s a buy one-get one sale. Dear daughter picked out a swim set and said, “Awesome, I have $30 more dollars to spend.” On something, anything, no idea what, but let’s go spend! Sigh.

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We feel better already, reminding ourselves of these strategies. We're not turning over a minimalist leaf or shaming anyone for enjoying a bit of shopping. But we do hope your buying does not lessen anything else in your life, from enjoying your home to taking those trips of a lifetime you save for and remember always.

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In honor of Mother’s Day, Heather and Ellen, the co-founders of Artifcts, thought up something a little different for this week's ARTIcles story. Our co-founders have always said if anything happens to either of them, they have the peace of mind that their daughters will have their Artifcts to know them, the real them. And, they will even know what to do with all the ‘stuff’ they would inevitably leave behind. 

Heather and Ellen decided to put that theory to the test last week and challenged their daughters, Hazel (13 years old) and Violet (14 years old), to co-author a piece about what they’ve learned about their moms through their Artifcts. What they chose was delightful, funny, and at times irreverent. You can see THEIR personalities in their revelations. 

We hope you enjoy this little looky-loo into the minds of young teens through the lens of Artifcts.  

We Know Our Moms. Here's Proof!

Hazel (Heather's daughter): My mother had a secret work life! She was a frequent flier out to Silicon Valley in the 2010s. I had no idea she spent so much time with the tech companies. Rather ironic since she is the least tech savvy of all of us. (Case in point, I just showed her how to add Artifcts to her personal Word dictionary.) I guess she had to know a thing or two about security. She also had awesome taste in shoes, which is how I discovered this whole Silicon Valley thing. View the Artifct.  

Violet (Ellen's daughter): I always see my mom reading, but it never occurred to me to wonder about how connected she is with books until she started Artifcting them. She could definitely be a writer (she says no), with the way she writes her Artifcts and how passionate she is about reading and the guidance it gives her. She has so many favorite books, and she’s always looking for more. One of my favorite things to do with her is book shopping, although she always seems to be surprised at what I pick out. Enjoy one of many #realbooksarebest books Ellen’s Artifcted.  

Hazel: I always knew my mom was the real alpha of skiing, but I did not know she was crazy enough to ski 3 Tre in Madonna di Campiglio. 3 Tre is an (in)famous downhill World Cup run. Sorry, that Artifct is private though, just us!  

Violet: My mom always ‘oohs’ when she sees pretty textiles, but I now realize how much they mean to her and brighten our home. (Great example: A family quilt.) From Mexico to here in Texas, there are many textiles Artifcted that each have a story, and I know she's grateful she gets to look at them every day. 

Hazel: Turns out my mother not only knew but Artifcted me skipping school during COVID. Technically I was not skipping school so much so as giving myself a much-deserved snow day. She’s yet to see it my way. View the Artifct.

Violet: My mom’s time in the Czech Republic completely changed the path of her life, and I know from reading her Artifcts and hearing her stories how proud she is of that. She has Czech recipes, ornaments, random items, and everything else Artifcted, and they all show her true character and that she learned so much from her time there, and not just education. Case in point, a little crystal, anyone? 

Hazel: My mother has an unhealthy obsession with trail signs. And road signs. Maybe she’s reliving her early 90s days and she finally saw THE sign. She claims it’s “leave no trace” tourism, I think she’s just crazy. View one of the many trail sign Artifcts she has.  

Violet: My mom sure has a love for travel. Almost all of our trips—Hello, New Orleans!—and hers are Artifcted. From little holiday trips to her Mexico yoga trip and of course her time in the Czech. My mom is always dreaming of trips we can take together, and what we can do to make the most of the family time. It always helps our family bond throughout tough school years when we don’t have much time otherwise.  

Hazel: My mother has the patience of a saint, especially when it comes to me and my skibbidy art projects. Me and my trusty pink Crayola scissors have wreaked havoc on house and home and yes, even hair. She’s Artifcted it all. And now I’m dreading my graduation video; she keeps muttering something about karma not being a cat. View one of the many Artifcts.

Violet: She LOVES artwork. This goes along with the textiles, but it’s a little different because it can be anything. Whether it’s an arts and crafts project I butchered in pre-k or a phrase she ordered to hang on the wall, cards from friends and family, photographs, everything. Although she doesn’t agree and doesn’t talk about it, she is an amazing artist. She always helps me on any little sketch I need to do for school, because she did not pass down that gene (rude). (Hi, this is Ellen chiming in. Don’t listen to her. Kid art, like this, is simply the best. 💕)

Curious what your Artifcts say about you? What do you have to lose... Ask your loved ones! Heather & Ellen are certainly glad they did.  

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reading time: 3 minutes 

We all have them—those projects we’ll get to "one day." No, we’re not talking about chores around the house or our honey-do lists, we all have those too.  

Today we’re specifically talking about projects made with love and attention that we start with the best intentions and then... life happens. Maybe our vision starts to deteriorate, or our arthritis ticks up; or maybe our free time becomes swamped with doctor’s appointments, visits from family, and the like, and those projects are left in a semi-done state to get to one day.

Even if the project is unfinished, it doesn’t diminish the love, the meaning, or the thought behind it. We all have our own reasons or obstacles for not finishing those projects and no one is here to judge.  

We want to take a moment and highlight an example from one of our Arti Community members and encourage you to scan through your own projects and those of loved ones and consider if this story might inspire you to action! 

The Stocking That Wasn’t 

She was an avid needlepoint artist back in the day, and still enjoyed dabbling in the craft as the years went on. She started the tradition of making stockings for her grandchildren one year, many years ago.  

Each stocking took months if not a full year to make but she did make them. Until she got to the last grandchild, that is. She started the stocking, stitch by stitch. She got about halfway through and then life happened. There was always something else to do, some reason why it wouldn't get done today. 

Her family at first teased her about it, hoping that it might prompt her to finish. The teasing turned to pleading to no avail. And now, years later? Vision, arthritis, and well, life, have conspired and she cannot complete the stocking.  

Does it diminish the work she has done? No, not at all! Does it diminish the love, thought, and care? Not even close. Sometimes those unfinished projects have their own stories, even working their way into family lore: “Remember the stocking Grandma started but didn’t finish?” "You mean my stocking? Yeah, I remember!” Even the unfinished piece is now a cherished family heirloom. 

But what happens if you want to finish that project but are no longer able? Or you inherit an unfinished project—blanket, quilt, needlepoint, etc.—that you would love to see finished and used?  

That’s where the Loose Ends Project comes into play, and why we invited them to our Spring 2024 Evenings with Artifcts.

Loose Ends is on a mission to help families complete unfinished textile projects after a death or disability. It’s truly a labor of love and a gift from the heart. Watch the replay, and maybe get a little inspiration for your unfinished projects or next steps if no one in your family has the skills to see a project through. And when you do see that project through, take a moment to Artifct That! After all, it’s the story, memory, and person who got it started that make the object irreplaceable and uniquely yours.

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

If you are new to Artifcts and wondering what makes Artifcts special, this is the ARTIcles story for you!  

We know the magic of Artifcts, because Artifcting is a daily habit for the team who has built it. Those Artifcts include everything from “I’ll never forget” moments captured in photos to sentimentally and financially valuable personal gifts and collections we preserve on Artifcts. 

Artifcts makes a great gift because it helps people preserve and share the stories behind their belongings—combining memories, photos, documents, and personal meaning in each Artifct. It’s especially thoughtful for those who value connection—why wait until the end of life or letters or videos from the grave to share—legacy, or organization. Here are some reasons Artifcts is a standout gift: 

• • • Personal and Meaningful: Artifcts turns everyday objects, photos, and heirlooms into lasting digital memories that can be shared with family and friends. 
    • Easy to Use: The Artifcts platform is designed and tested for ages 16+, supporting people at all life milestones, so anyone can create digital memories quickly and easily. 
    • Organizational Value: Artifcts helps people to declutter physical spaces while preserving emotional value and financial value, making it ideal for downsizing, estate planning, updating insurance, or just tidying up. 
    • Legacy and Family History: Artifcts is a way to pass on family stories, values, and histories that might otherwise be lost, especially when the alternative may be journals and documents lost to time and digital chaos or intimidating genealogy software or expensive memoirs. (That said, when you’re ready, Artifcts are amazing fodder for memoirs and videographies. Share your Artifcts with professionals you work with and they will be grateful.) 
    • Experiential and Ongoing: Unlike one-time gifts, your Artifcts collection grows over time—as your gift recipient adds more Artifcts, the value of your gift only grows.

Creative Ways to Personalize Your Artifcts Gift 

Hats off to the Arti Community and the many creative and personal ways they have gifted Artifcts that make this gift still more meaningful and memorable: 

🎁 1. Preload It with Memories 

When you gift Artifcts, you could also immediately share a few Artifcts with the recipient (Check Artifcts FAQs and videos if you need help). That way, they will have personalized content waiting for them and inspiring them when they sign in to Artifcts. Here are a few ideas: 

• • • Upload childhood photos and write the story behind them. 
    • Add a recipe card and the story of the dish. 
    • Artifct a family heirloom (even if you don't have it physically—just include the photo and story). 

Need more inspiration? Download our free Artifcts Inspiration Checklists.

🖼️ 2. Pair the Artifcts Membership with a Physical Object 

Wrap a meaningful item (like an old photo, keepsake, or even a quirky thrifted find) with a card that says: 

"The story behind this lives on—check your Artifcts!"

Add an Artifcts QR code to the Artifcted item so they can scan it to see its digital story. Print the QR code directly from the Artifct or purchase and use the Artifcts QR code stickers.

📚 3. Include a Storytelling Starter Kit 

Gift them an Artifct That! Kit, too, and add a note, "You’ve got ‘stuff’ and stories worth saving. Start capturing them with Artifcts." 

While our kit does include starter prompts curated from 1,000 of Artifcters experiences, you could add your own prompts to card, too, like: 

• • • “Tell the story of the oldest item you own.” 
    • “What’s one thing you’d never throw away—and why?” 
    • “Artifct your favorite photo, and the story behind it.” 

Want more inspiration? Check out this ARTIcles story for real life examples of started their Artifcts collections.

👨‍👩‍👧 4. Make It a Family Project 

Offer to host a “Family Artifcts Night,” in person or virtually.  

If in person, remind everyone to download the Artifcts app and sign in and to bring photos and memory-filled items to create Artifcts together.  

Artifcts parties are great virtually or in person at holidays or reunions, too. You can invite everyone to an Artifcts invite-only circle before the big event and give them instructions, like: “Everyone add one Artifct by Sunday night, and we’ll share them on Zoom!”

Happy Artifcting!

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reading time: 4 minutes

Data Privacy Day is an international event that occurs every year on 28 January. Never heard of it? Chances are that you're not alone. The day was created back in 2007 to bring awareness to the “importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data, and enabling trust.”  

As you may know, one of our founding cornerstones here at Artifcts is privacy. We believe your information is yours and yours alone. We will not sell or otherwise transact the personal information you entrust with us. Similarly, we want to ensure you are in control of your information and data, which is why we’ve made it easy for you to upload and download your files and your Artifcts.  

We also make it clear in our Content & Community Policy that you retain not only the right but also the ownership of any information you use in creating your Artifcts. This includes copyright. Sadly, not all online platforms share our beliefs. When signing up for new online or app based services, be on the lookout for: 

• • • Memberships plans that end up turning your information public or shared within the platform if you do not pay certain continuing fees. 
    • Where the personal information you upload is being stored – a private server or another third-party platform like YouTube with another set of privacy practices to review? 
    • Who owns the information you upload? For example, does it become part of the commercial commons in the name of the greater good? Do you support that no matter what (because there may be no going back)?
    • Default settings that favor making everything public, including your name, posts, and permission to use your activity for targeted ads and other purposes.
    • If it’s a site or service you will depend upon, consider setting a Google Alert for changes in privacy policies, data breaches and other key terms so that if you should miss an email from the company or a headline, you’ll have yet another opportunity to hear about it and take action.

What Should You Take Away from Recent Media Headlines? 

Recent news reports underscore the importance of putting your privacy first and foremost. Forbes reported on 22 January 2024 that security researchers had recently uncovered the largest data breach to date, including 26 billion personal records across Dropbox, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others. The researchers note that malicious actors could "leverage the aggregated data for a large range of attacks, including identity theft, sophisticated phishing schemes, targeted cyber-attacks, and unauthorized access to personal and sensitive accounts."  

Seeing reports like this can lead us to falsely believe that there isn't much we, as individuals, can do to protect our privacy. That’s simply not true. There are several simple steps you can take to enhance your privacy and safeguard your data wherever you have online accounts and transactions. And, if you’re a member of the Arti Community, you will have received an email from us today encouraging you to do a privacy check up on Artifcts.com, following many of these same guidelines: 

• PASSWORDS. Have you changed yours lately? We recommend you update your passwords at least once a year. And while you’re at it, ensure that your password is a strong password, that is, take that leap to 16 characters, and include alpha numeric and special characters.   
• TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION. You may not like another step in your process, but you should use it, where available, especially when dealing with financial or personal, sensitive information, like medical records. Two factor authentication simply means that in addition to your login, you will be prompted for a second means of authenticating that it’s really you. This could be a text, a call, or an email. Do a quick scrub of all your online banking and medical accounts to double check that two factor authentication is set up, and that your second means of authentication is up to date.   
• PRIVATE BROWSING. Don’t want Google to track your every move? Consider using a private window in your Chrome, Brave, Safari, or other web browser (go to File > New Private Window, or similar path). Or use a privacy-first browser from the get-go, such as Duck Duck Go or Brave. These browsers do not store your personal information or follow you around the Web with ads.    
• WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T CLICK! If you receive an email from an unknown sender with an attachment or link, don’t download, don’t click, and just to be extra safe, delete it. What if you receive the link from a trusted contact? If it is out of the ordinary, or something you were not expecting, text, call, or otherwise double check outside of email just to be safe. Cyber criminals are getting smarter and developing new tactics seemingly daily, including spoofing (i.e. impersonating) email addresses.  

Interested in learning more or looking for other resources? The Future of Privacy Forum has helpful infographics and educational materials, especially tips for protecting youth online. The Electronic Privacy Information Center also offers simple guidelines for consumer privacy and a break-down of some of the most common internet scams. 

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.