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Terrible 2s? Not for Artifcts!

Heather Nickerson, Artifcts
August 26, 2023

Dear Reader,

Today Artifcts turns 2! Our team has been excitedly preparing for our second birthday, joking that “two is better than one!”  (And stay tuned for tomorrow when we'll unveil a fun surprise to show you how we’re celebrating stepping into our 3rd year.)

On a personal note, the time has flown by; the hours, days, weeks, and yes, even years. Ellen and I spent a lot of time imagining what the years would look like when we first started Artifcts. We had outsized hopes and dreams, but what founding team doesn’t? The one thing we did not fully appreciate or even consider was the impact we would have on individuals and families near and far. 

We’ve known, of course, that ‘stuff’ is important. Recent data underscores that not only are objects important but valuable, too. According to a New York Times article from May, the Baby Boomer generation is set to pass down $3T of durable goods, aka ‘stuff,’ to Gen X. Imagine the histories, stories, and memories lurking behind it all! 

The question for us has always been, what do you do with it, and how do you ensure it doesn’t become a burden on the next generation? Over the past two years, we’ve debuted features such as “In the Future,” allowing you to clearly state what you want to happen to a specific item next (sell, donate, bequeath, the choice is yours!). We’ve also been hard at work building out our Allies in ‘Stuff,’ featuring great companies that will help you tackle your ‘stuff’ where Artifcts leaves off. Downsizing, decluttering, or moving? Our Allies have you covered!  

Curious about all the other things we’ve done this past year? Check out our product updates!  

As for the year ahead? We’ve got a lot in store to delight and surprise our members from new features and in-person events and pop ups to kicking off our pilot study with UMass Chan Medical School. (Did you miss the news?) We remain as stuff focused as always, and hyper vigilant to the feedback, ideas, and comments from you, our members and Arti community.  

New to Artifcts? I invite you to give us a try. Create an Artifct, tell a story that hasn’t been told before or a favorite that has become part of your family lore. Share a memory with a friend or loved one. Go on, surprise them! Already an avid supporter and Arti Member? We’re all ears! Let us know what you love, and what we can do to make your Artifcts experience even better.  

Year two has been amazing, and just like any good two-year-old, tomorrow we’ll be off and running into year three! As always, we’re thrilled and grateful for your continued support and encouragement.  

Happy Artifcting!

Heather

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© 2023 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Artifcts Again Named Among 101 Best Genealogy Websites by Family Tree Magazine

Artifcts' growing resonance with and persistent innovation supporting genealogists, family historians, and those who simply love a good story, has helped it retain its status as one of the best genealogy technology tools of 2024, according to Family Tree Magazine.

Last year marked Artifcts' premiere in the annual "best of" list from Family Tree Magazine. The Artifcts team was delighted and surprised by the honor, in nearly equal measure.

"In our minds, genealogists were beyond our reach at Artifcts because their research is organized around people and ancestorial lines. At Artifcts, we organize around the object first and foremost," said Artifcts Co-Founder Ellen Goodwin. The reality is, by Artifcts moving the world to take a new view on 'stuff' and the importance of retaining the stories, history, and value behind the objects we collect and inherit, Artifcts resonates with people of all ages and walks of life.

Artifcts delivered a variety of new features over the last year that genealogists and historians have celebrated.

Artifcts timelines was the first. The ability to now snap your Artifcts collection into a timeline view powers you to see gaps, identify trends, and even make note of these with "time period notes" directly on your timeline. And unlike a photo gallery, a very familiar feature of most genealogy platforms, each image in your timeline is clickable, revealing more photos and videos, supporting documentation, and, of course, the story connecting the dots.

Another new feature resonating with genealogists, many of whom are what we refer to as the family keepers, is the Artifcts QR code stickers. "People need the easy button. Scan, complete the Artifct, and place the sticker on your photo sleeve, archival box, or item. Your Artifcting progress is now visible and the stories even more accessible," said Artifcts Co-Founder Heather Nickerson.

Family Tree Magazine's 101 Best Genealogy Websites are organized into roughly a dozen categories, including Best "Big" Genealogy Websites, Best Genealogy News Websites and Blogs, and Best Genealogy Tech Tools (including Artifcts!). And this year 19 sites newly made the list. We wish a warm congratulations to all awardees!

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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NAPO-WDC Names Artifcts as 2024 Business Partner of the Year

Artifcts® is proud to announce that its co-founder Heather Nickerson has been named 2024 NAPO Washington DC Metro Chapter (NAPO-WDC) Business Partner of the Year. The nominating committee noted, "Heather offers her expertise during [NAPO-WDC] discussions and generously shares her Artifcts experiences to support our efforts with our clients."

“I am humbled and excited that our local NAPO chapter recognizes the value we bring to the organizing industry,” Heather stated. “We know Artifcts and organizing go better together, and we love working with our NAPO-WDC professional members to help them help their clients.”

From decluttering to organizing to making sense of life’s ‘stuff,’ Artifcts is designed to pair beautifully with the organizing industry, from solopreneurs to nationwide franchises. Artifcts Advisory Board Member Matt Paxton added in response to the news, “I tell clients all the time that Artifcts is THE perfect tool to help them keep the memories and let go of the ‘stuff.’”

Start Artifcting today. Create your free membership here ->

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Artifcts Announces Partnership with Susan G. Komen®

Artifcts® has partnered with Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, to support its ongoing cross-sectional work in research, community health, global outreach and public policy to find the cures for breast cancer.

“There’s nothing like a breast cancer diagnosis to clarify your focus and guide you to ask, “How can I help?” said Artifcts co-founder Ellen Goodwin. 

“I knew I was lucky in catching my cancer early. But that’s not the only way in which I’m lucky. I also have access to excellent healthcare services, health insurance, an amazing network of friends, family and survivors, and let’s be true to the data, I’m lucky too because I am white. Black women in the U.S. are more than 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white woman.”

According to experts, about one-third of breast cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone received the breast cancer treatments that exists today. For this, and many other reasons, Artifcts is proud to support Susan G. Komen’s efforts.

Artifcts’ partnership with Susan G. Komen includes a commitment to support the organization’s fundraising efforts. Beginning today (through March 15, 2025), Artifcts will donate to Susan G. Komen® $23.80 of the purchase price for each Artifcts Unlimited Membership sold here and $9.00 of each Artifcts Lite Membership sold. Artifcts will make a guaranteed minimum donation of $2,500 to Komen. We’ll also strive to raise funds through community walks and other initiatives nationwide. 

Join us today to help support the cure. Purchase or gift an Artifcts membership!

For more information on Susan G. Komen's mission to save lives by addressing critical community needs and advancing research to prevent and cure breast cancer, or to donate, please visit komen.org.

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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