The following article includes excerpts from a true story shared with Artifcts by a member of the Arti Community and republished here with permission. May their loss help your future.
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A Careless Accident at a Storage Facility
Imagine yourself in this scenario: Wildfires are approaching your home. You evacuate, taking with you your most cherished possessions, including those incredibly vulnerable photos, videos, books, and family documents. You feel relief when you place them inside a climate-controlled storage unit far outside the fire zone.
Days later you receive a call from the storage facility. There’s been an accident. Your storage unit has been flooded via a damaged sprinkler system in the unit above your own. “Please come to our facility to review and document the damage for insurance purposes.”
Your heart sinks to the floor. The expression, “Out of the frying pan and into the fire,” comes to mind.
When you arrive, and you are taking in the large-scale and surely emotionally charged loss, look once, then twice, before springing to action on areas of most obvious damage.
Salvaging Water Damaged Photos and Negatives
When mother nature, home mishap, or some other event occurs that threatens to rob you of your cherished memories incapsulated in your photos, there’s no room for “should haves.” We all know about fireproof boxes, digitization options, and more. But in life we are busy, and we have finite resources, too. We made the best choices we could at the time. Now is the time for action to salvage what can be salvaged.
Act smart, act fast
The most intriguing piece of advice you’ll hear when water has claimed your photos? Freeze them. That’s right, stick them in plastic bags and freeze them. Okay, first interlay sheets of wax paper and place them in a giant plastic freezer bag, but yes, then freeze them. That bit of advice alone should shock you into a feeling of hope. Store that tidbit away for the day you need it.
No freezer on site? Place the photos and albums in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from drying out completely and get them to a freezer.
Your top goals are to prevent further damage and to bring back under your control at least some of the variables now, and frankly, for the remaining life of these items. Mold is an equally deadly culprit where the life of your photos are concerned.
Talking us through the "I froze them, now what?” frontier, we reached out to professional photo manager Kristen Goodman, of Clicking with Kristen. Based out of Naples, Florida, Kristen is still helping families caught in the crosshairs of Hurricane Ian (2022) and has deep experience in helping salvage precious photos.
Embrace Kristen’s “Dont’s”
You’re poised for action, which is great, but keep these guidelines in mind so we can skip the regret that you may otherwise feel later:
Don’t panic and throw away your wet, muddy, or damaged photos or albums.
Don’t dry photos in a place with bright sunlight, wind, or dust.
Don’t pry wet or dry photos apart.
Don’t use heat sources (hairdryer, microwave) to dry photos.
Don't forget gloves and a mask when handling wet photos and albums.
Don’t delay! After about 48 hours mold will begin to grow.
If you’re thinking this sounds tough, you’re right. Rescuing and restoring water damanged photos is a tedious and imperfect process. Check out this video from Clicking with Kristen, saving someone’s day with her skills!
Now, Onto the “Nexts” in the Mess
Be discriminating. Which photos do you want to spend time and money to preserve and potentially restore? For example, if you have very old heritage photos, the ONLY photo of {name of loved one}, you may want to prioritize these photos for consultation with a professional photo restoration service.
Separating, soaking, and freezing photos. We warned you not to pry photos apart, and that advice holds. But if they are apart, remove any plastic covers and sleeves from the photos, if possible. And then layer wax paper between individual photos or album pages to freeze.
If you’re thinking, “But I have a brick of stacked dried photos,” there’s still hope. You can soak them in clean water and then gently peel them apart, then proceed with drying them out, but when in doubt, talk with a local pro!
Once your pictures have frozen, you’ll thaw them out in batches to begin drying.
The photos’ futures. For those in acceptable condition (to you!), digitize them and toss the originals. They are very vulnerable to mold, it’s a sad truth. For the others, if they are important enough to you for any reason, take them to a professional for restoration, repair, and digitization.
Click the image to download our free inspiration checklist for Artifcting photos!
Go get professional help!
Amazing resources abound for you to learn more and to connect with professionals locally to help you. Here are just a few resources Kristen recommends:
And one more for good measure from Artifcts, the Society of American Archivists, through which you can find archival specialists for photos and beyond!
How Did the Storage Story End?
If you're like us and dislike a cliffhanger, here’s how the storage disaster we started this article with turned out:
As we step into a brand-new year, I want to pause and say thank you. Artifcts exists because of you—your stories, your trust, and your belief that the memories behind our things matter just as much as the things themselves. As we reflect on 2025, I’m filled with gratitude and pride for what we’ve built together.
This past year was one of meaningful growth and exciting milestones. We partnered with Clutter Cleaner to help families facing downsizing and life transitions preserve what truly matters—the stories and significance behind their belongings. This collaboration reinforced our shared belief that letting go of things doesn’t mean letting go of memories.
We were also honored to be named one of Family Tree Magazine’s Top Genealogy Tech Websites for the third year in a row. This recognition reflects our continued commitment to supporting families, historians, and everyday memory-keepers with thoughtful, accessible technology.
In 2025, I also had the opportunity to join the Northern Trust “Secrets of Enterprising Families” podcast, where we talked openly about legacy, loss, and practical estate planning. These conversations are at the heart of why Artifcts exists—to make space for reflection, clarity, and connection across generations.
On the product side, we reached a major milestone with the launch ofARTIAssist, our first AI-backed feature. ARTIAssist was designed to make creating Artifcts easier and more intuitive, helping members capture historical and factual details behind their most cherished keepsakes. This was a big step forward for us, and we’re just getting started.
None of this would be possible without your continued support, feedback, and enthusiasm. You inspire us every day.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited about what’s to come:
Continued refinement of ARTIAssist and other AI-powered tools to help you create new Artifcts with confidence and ease
Virtual workshops designed to help you get the most out of every Artifcts feature
And a growing team, bringing new ideas, energy, and expertise to better serve our community
Thank you for being part of the Artifcts family and for trusting us with your stories. Here’s to a new year filled with reflection, discovery, and connection—and to preserving what matters most, together.
With gratitude and warm wishes for the year ahead,
The holidays have a way of stirring up memories—some wrapped in joy, some tucked quietly into the corners of our hearts. This year, Artifcts is celebrating those moments in a way that’s meaningful, creative, and deeply personal with the 12 Days of Artifcts holiday challenge.
If you’ve been following along on our social channels, you’ve seen how powerful a single object can be when paired with a story. An old photograph. A travel souvenir. A well-loved family quilt. These aren’t just “things.” They’re touchstones to the people, places, and moments that shaped us.
The first four days of our 12 Days of Artifcts challenge. Objects with stories, your stories!
That’s what the 12 Days of Artifcts is all about—and we’d love for you to join in the fun.
Are You Up for a Challenge?
We promise, our “challenge,” doesn’t involve Tik Tok or ice buckets, and it’s simple enough to do even if you’ve never done one of those “I-saw-it-on-the-evening-news" challenges before.
Over 12 days, we share 12 different themes, one per day via our Facebook and Instagram pages. Each theme invites you to choose a meaningful item from your life and Artifct it—capture a photo, add the story behind it, and preserve the memory digitally for yourself and for the people you love.
By the end of the challenge, you’ll have:
12 Artifcts
12 memories preserved
12 stories ready to share with family and friends—now or for generations to come
There’s no right or wrong way to participate. Some people choose deeply sentimental items. Others lean into lighthearted or unexpected objects. Every Artifct tells a story worth saving.
Every Artifct tells a story worth saving.
A Theme for Every Kind of Memory and Artifct
Each day’s theme offers a gentle nudge to look at your life through a new lens. One day might spark a story about family traditions. Another might bring back a personal milestone, a favorite place, or a meaningful relationship. Some themes make you smile instantly; others may surprise you with memories you hadn’t thought about in years.That’s part of the magic.
You don’t need museum-worthy artifacts. The beauty of Artifcts is that meaning isn’t measured by monetary value—it’s measured by connection. If an item holds a story only you can tell, it belongs here.
Pick a theme that works for you and join in the fun as we count down the 12 Days of Artifcts!
Why Participate?
Because memories fade—but stories don’t have to.
The 12 Days of Artifcts is more than a creative challenge. It’s an opportunity to pause during a busy season and reflect. To document the moments that matter. To create something lasting that you can revisit, share, and pass on.
Many participants tell us that once they start, they can’t stop. One Artifct leads to another. One memory unlocks three more. Before you know it, you’re building a living archive of your life (and your holidays!)—your way.
Share the Joy
One of our favorite parts of the challenge is seeing how people share their Artifcts with others. Share yours on social media, tag us, and use #12DaysofArtifcts to be part of the community countdown. Or keep them private, sharing only with family and close friends. However you participate, you’re contributing to something meaningful.
And don’t worry, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, and preserving lasting memories and stories during the holidays.
It’s Not Too Late to Start
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I missed a day… or five,” take a deep breath. You’re right on time.
The 12 Days of Artifcts isn’t a race. Start today. Pick the theme that speaks to you most. Go back and fill in the others when you’re ready. The stories will wait for you.All that matters is beginning.
As we count down the 12 Days of Artifcts, we invite you to reflect, remember, and create. At the end, you won’t just have a collection of items—you’ll have a collection of stories that only you can tell.
So choose your first theme. Find your first item. And Artifct that {old photo, handmade ornament, special gift} or other holiday keepsake. From all of us at Artifcts, happy holidays and happy Artifcting!
As the holiday season approaches and families search for meaningful, memorable gifts, one option rises above the usual sweaters, gadgets, and gift cards: a gift membership to Artifcts.com. For grandparents, who are often the keepers of stories, traditions, and treasured belongings, Artifcts offers something far more valuable than another item to unwrap. It offers a way to preserve their legacy, share memories, and connect with loved ones in a lasting, joyful way.
A Modern Solution to a Timeless Desire: Sharing Stories
Grandparents often have homes filled with objects rich in personal history—photographs, souvenirs, heirlooms, handmade pieces, letters, and charming odds and ends. But the stories behind those items aren’t always written down or passed along.
Artifcts.com changes that. With an easy-to-use platform, grandparents can upload photos of meaningful items and record the stories, memories, and details behind them. Each “Artifct” becomes a digital keepsake—part story, part history, part heirloom—preserved beautifully for future generations.
It’s the perfect way to capture moments like:
The origin of Grandpa’s well-worn fishing hat
The recipe card with Grandma’s handwritten notes
The ornament that’s hung on the tree for 40 years
The ticket stub from their first date
This isn’t just documentation—it’s storytelling.
A Thoughtful Gift That Builds Connection
A gift membership to Artifcts isn’t something that sits on a shelf. It’s a shared experience.
Grandparents can invite family members into their private circle, allowing children and grandchildren to explore the stories behind the items they’ve always been curious about—or never knew existed, sparking conversations across generations, bridging distances, and helping younger family members better understand their roots.
It’s especially meaningful for:
Families who live far apart
Grandparents who want to connect with tech-savvy grandkids
Loved ones who want to preserve memories before they fade
Perfect for Legacy, Estate, and Family Planning
In addition to emotional value, Artifcts has practical benefits.Grandparents can document: the provenance of their heirlooms; instructions for what should happen to certain items someday with our "In the Future" field; and the significance of objects family members will inherit. With Artifcts you can pass down the stories, meaning, and value along with the actual item.
This avoids confusion, conflict, or lost historical context later. Family decision-making becomes clearer—and more heartfelt—when the story behind each item is preserved.
Tech-Friendly for All Ages
Artifcts was designed to be simple for anyone to use—tech-savvy or not. The platform walks users through the process step-by-step, making it enjoyable and unintimidating. Our Quick Start Guide helps anyone age 16-97 get started right away, while our YouTube Channel offers dozens of short, easy to follow videos that will have you up and Artifcting in no time!
Plus, because it’s digital, grandparents can create and share Artifcts from the comfort of home or even use the mobile app when inspiration strikes.
A Gift That Lasts Long After the Holidays
While most holiday gifts are eventually forgotten, Artifcts grows more valuable with time. With every story uploaded, the gift becomes richer, deeper, and more meaningful.
It's not just a membership—it’s:
A storytelling tool
A memory-preservation system
A family-connection platform
A legacy-building experience
And it becomes a treasured part of a grandparent’s life year-round.
The Heart of the Holiday Season
Ultimately, the best gifts are those that bring people closer together.A gift membership to Artifcts.com celebrates a grandparent’s life, honors their stories, and preserves them for generations to come. It transforms holiday giving into something timeless—ensuring that the memories, laughter, lessons, and love of today remain part of your family’s story forever.
This holiday season, wrap up something truly meaningful. Give the gift of Artifcts.
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The first four days of our 12 Days of Artifcts challenge. Objects with stories, your stories!
