Minitoots

I was given a 'Garmin vivosmart HR+' for Xmas to use for swimmng/ aqua exercise. My partner checked lots of online reviews/ specs to see what would be best under ?100 and this says it is waterproof to 50m. Has anyone used this model to record swimming or aqua activities? I don't want to set it up until I'm sure it will work for this because the Garmin tech help person was quite vague- apparently it needs to be altered from 'walk/ run' to other, but then there are several posts on the Garmin forum to say even when you do that, it does not work for heart rate when in water. Other posts say it does not record distance when in water either although the tech help person at Garmin said it should do.... It cost about ?80 and I don't want to spend a lot more on a different one, as I can use health and exercise apps my phone to check most of the other things I need to track for walking and cycling. If anyone uses a fitbit, garmin or other for aqua aerobics and swimming I'd be interested to hear from you thanks.

Just to let anyone interested in this river crossing know, I've posted some more information on a design for a cycle and pedestrian bridge by local architects reForm /EWP which is ready to go! They started it as a self=start project, got loads of interest and publicity on their scheme and now from the way it is being procured (TfL multidisciplinary frameworks only) , their design may not even be considered. so much for encouraging enterprise and initiative! Here's the link to my post http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,1896568 http://i.imgur.com/HlD8k6x.jpg

I noticed a couple of posts referring to the TfL consultation on a new river crossing from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf. Did you know that local architecture firm reForm Architects have designed a pedestrian and cycle bridge which is ready to be built and will work at all of TfL's suggested locations and heights. They began their work as a self start project with no client, brief or fee and together with engineers Elliott Wood are passionate about this project which I'm sure would never have got to the stage it is now at without their tireless enthusiasm and all the local community support for their work. If you are completing the survey and like the design, Please mention reForm Architects / ElliottWood engineers specifically in your responses in the survey. More info on this design here:- http://i.imgur.com/jmwrPze.jpgwww.rotherhithebridge.london

Product design graduate with extensive experience in metalwork is looking for workshop space with welding and grinding equipment to rent to complete a commission. Only needed part time, approx 2-3 days per week from now until May. Alternatively, it could just be a space where he could do this work and hire the equipment from elsewhere.

We are back again today at 133 Lordship Lane from 11am - 5pm with more work! And in reply to O.A.Partygirl, if you are unable to get to see our work today, please send a PM and we can arrange studio visits, or you can message the relevant artist via their website:- Suzsi Corio - paintings of vintage dresses and digitally manipulated cityscape prints www.studio-SE22.com Richard Woodhouse- fine art abstract photography www.rhkw.co.uk Anna-Maria McLean - paintings, hand crafted cushions, cards and more www.artgarfunkool.com

In reply to your PM, some scarves are silk, others rayon - mostly 1960s/70s

Vintage printed scarves for sale at our Artists' Open House just off Northcross road SE22 12-13 + 19-20 May 11am - 5pm each day.? Most scarves ?10 with a few at ?5. We shall also be showing original paintings of vintage dresses, mixed media landscapes and photography - Map and more info here:- http://dulwichfestival.co.uk/openhouse/suzsi-corio/ More images of artworks here:- http://i.imgur.com/jEnSGfN.png

love the Forumite costume, Administrator. Trouble is the party is in sunny Worthing so they may not get it...

Yes, we've thought of the obvious ones too! Any ideas for obscure but relatively easy to make costumes - the theme is the letter 'F' ? Need to be able to dance and sit down and eat in it..... Happy to look daft (nothing new there...)

3 artists will be showing a wide variety of original work as part of the Artists' Open House art trail on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December at 'Property In' Estate agents, our very generous hosts. We shall be showing paintings, fine art photography, digital prints, vintage scarves hand crafted cushions and jewellery. We will be open on both days from 11 am to 6pm. Contact any of us via our websites for more info. Suzsi Corio - paintings of vintage dresses and digitally manipulated cityscape prints www.studio-SE22.com Richard Woodhouse- fine art abstract photography www.rhkw.co.uk Anna-Maria McLean - paintings, hand crafted cushions, cards and more www.artgarfunkool.com http://i.imgur.com/aLlgGhZ.jpg

I wondered if anyone would have any suggestions of organic / sustainable fabrics suppliers for a friend of ours who is setting up a small bedding design business? She says:- ?I have designed a range of 3 duvet covers in two sizes with matching pillows and European pillows and I am looking for a manufacturer that can produce these for me ideally using high quality organic materials (Egyptian cotton). Colour is important in my designs so am looking for bright vibrant options, screen printing utilising water based dyes that comply with Oekotex Standard 100 and with all the most restrictive ecological standards. Ideally I would like the manufacturer to be able to source the fabric (to my specification), print using my designs and produce the goods. I am uncertain as to whether this would be possible in the UK? My research to date hasn't been fruitful so am open to suggestions. With regard to quantity I would be looking at 20-40 pieces for each design to begin with (however this would depend on cost)?

We are going to the Lake district this month for a birthday, staying near Ambleside. Have been many years ago but would like suggestions of good restaurants and places to visit which are a bit off the usual tourist routes that we may not already know about, thanks!

Trying to work out which of the many ancestral heritage DNA testing kits to order - I'm just interested in finding out my ethnicity / family heritage as my grandfather's ancestry has always been a bit of a mystery to the family- reviews seem best for AncestryDNA and MyHeritage dna - has anyone tried one?

thanks for all the advice so far, and thanks for your offer of help Sue. I'll let you know how I get on as soon as I have time to try it and will send a PM if I do need help! If anyone has experience of dot.mailer that would also be helpful as this is what the company in question is trying to use at the moment.

I've offered to help a colleague's small firm produce a newsletter as they are having lots of trouble getting their hyperlinks to work on one dot.mailer. I haven't done one before either so am looking for a basic, free version of something like Mailchimp. any recommendations?

thanks for the suggestions - so far my favourite is Brixton Prison - will definitely go there and to some of the other ones recommended soon even if not the Xmas meal- (I don't get the final say as I don't actually work in their office! Keep the ideas coming in, the more unusual the better.

Looking for something a bit different (and cheap!)as a venue for an office pre-Xmas meal. The firm is architects and designers, based near London bridge so ideally something near there or round here would be fine too. It doesn't necessarily have to be a traditional sit down meal and we don't want anything too formal and stuffy, but somewhere we can chat and still get something to eat.We know most of the regular places in SE22 and also around Bankside / Borough market but thought there may be pop ups happening or something like that. Any ideas?

That?s such good news- thanks for letting me know.

I was in Dulwich park about an hour ago and there were several policemen there, looking for an 8 year old boy who had been in the park. I keep thinking about him and his family so if anyone has an update do let me know.

Thanks Shona, have just sent you a PM

No replies yet surprisingly. I already know about the fairs at Dulwich picture gallery, the Horniman and Alleyn's school - not sure if they still have space? I was looking for something new but all those 3 would be worth you checking out if they still have space

Does anyone have a list of local art/craft fairs coming up for November/ December? I'm looking for outlets to sell original postcard sized paintings etc so am looking for events which specialise in handmade art/craft items. Some examples of what I'd be selling here:- https://www.instagram.com/studio.se22/

thanks a lot Seabag - very helpful as they said they can do one-off pieces as well as large orders.

Can anyone recommend somewhere we can get 3 large pieces of street furniture powder coated?

All our power suddenly went off at 12.30 today - we only had dishwasher on - next door is ok. Has anyone else had a power cut? The main switch on right section of circuit board had gone off - partner then turned all other switches off ( not sure that was the right thing to do) We turned all switches on circuit off and now not sure what order to turn on again as all our notes are on the computer which is off of course! Worried about switching them back on in the wrong order! Any advice from experts? Thanks