It was an idea that began last summer with a random cupboard on an easel.

The interest that has since spawned from its creation in the front yard outside a home in the 200 block of South Fourth Street in Lehighton has grown tenfold.

Which is exactly what Steffany Zimmerman had hoped would be the case when she decided to create “Curiosity in the Cupboard,” which is essentially a keychain/charm/pin library.

Zimmerman explained how the name for her project was derived.

“It is literally just a random cupboard on an easel in the middle of our front yard, and people are curious about what it’s all about,” Zimmerman said. “There is a small note on the handle that reads, ‘open me’ to give the people permission to explore what’s inside.”

Zimmerman said when a person opens the doors of the curiosity, they’ll find pins, croc charms and keychains.

She said there are minimal rules to the Curiosity in the Cupboard trading station.

First off, Zimmerman said it’s a trade station whereby people may take what they would like, but swap something in exchange to keep the library alive.

Secondly, she said they are to be respectful, as they look forward to looking inside every day as do others.

Lastly, Zimmerman said they are to have the best day they possibly can and spread positive vibes to all.

She said both she and her son, Maxtyn, 5, “are so happy that people enjoy it as much as we do.”

“We decided to create it during the summer as a fun surprise for us and the community,” Zimmerman said. “It’s so fun to open it and see what new stuff people traded or left behind.”

Zimmerman said she creates keychains with traded trinkets or toys that are traded.

“We give old toys some new life, and it’s wonderful to see,” she said.

However, Zimmerman wasn’t about to take all the credit for the project.

Rather, she said her dad told her he had an easel and a cupboard, and asked her if she wanted them.

“And right then, I knew,” Zimmerman said. “I slapped on some paint and decorated the inside with cork and glued in croc charm display; on the other side I put a peg board and some pegs to hold the keychains.”

Zimmerman said she was inspired by the “Portland Keychain Library,” which is attached to a whole town based on trading stations.

“I decided to create this project because I love to see people enjoy the little things,” she said. “I think that people need to slow down in life and be more present and mindful about what is going on around them.”

Zimmerman said it appears to have had a positive trickle down effect.

“The people that slow down enough to check out my library appear to be happy, curious, inclusive and supportive,” she said. “They create new keychains handmade with love, and recently I have received a letter inside of the cupboard that read, ‘dear whoever reads this, you are cool and loved.’

“So, that’s why I do it. It makes others happy which makes me happy, too. The central message of my project is to appreciate the small things, be creative, be kind and slow down to admire, enjoy, and find new things around you.”

Zimmerman added that the project “has been very popular with the younger children that come from dance class, students that walk to and from school, and even delivery personnel.”

“Every age group appears to enjoy it,” she said. “The main goal of my project is to stay creative and spread kindness.”