Does anybody know of a cobbler anywhere in London or the south-east of England who can repair a sandal with a broken rivet closure, or else replace the rivet closure with a buckle closure? [more inside]
posted by tel3path on Jul 20, 2012 - 5 answers

I'm thinking about starting an indoor hydroponic garden soon, using a guide I found on Instructables for DWC. What are some good vegetables/fruits to grow beyond tomatoes and herbs, which would ideally grow at similar temperatures and light levels as tomatoes and herbs? And what's the best place to buy seeds, either online or in the Princeton/New Brunswick, NJ area? [more inside]
posted by mccarty.tim on Nov 22, 2011 - 8 answers

How do I go about finding sources for cane sugar stock in my area? Yea, for growing... [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld on Apr 12, 2011 - 3 answers

Need reliable shipper for art. I need to ship two framed paintings from Connecticut to Seattle. These are family antiques that I could not bear to lose. I already had a wooden crate made. I need to get the crate shipped. Criteria: - Highly reliable and insured - Speed and delivery date are flexible. I can arrange to be available to receive shipment on short notice. - size: the crate is about 2' x 3' x 1'. - Cost... looking for lower cost options, but reliability is key. - The paintings have not been appraised, nor do they have any documentation. I'm sure they are worth money, but the real value is sentimental. I'd rather not go to the expense of having them photographed and appraised. I've already requested a quote from Art Logistics. I haven't heard back yet, but I suspect the cost will be very high. And I'm not sure they ship to and from private residences. fyi... an earlier thread about shipping art.
posted by valannc on Nov 13, 2010 - 5 answers

I asked idly in this thread, but I'd like your advice about talking to one's parents about inheriting some of their precious junk. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock on Sep 2, 2010 - 17 answers

I have an antique copper pot that has lost its luster. It's an ordinary enough saucepan, but it was made and then brought from Russia by my great-grandparents in the 1880s. My own parents just recently passed it on to me and I'm proud to display it in my home. But it is rather dull-looking and is not as pretty as it could be. I would love some advice about how to polish it. I'm not interested in restoring it to a point where it looks like a knockoff, I'd just love to reveal the warm coppery glow I'm sure is lurking under the dullness.
posted by DrGail on Apr 24, 2010 - 13 answers

Is there a place in eastern Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire where I can purchase open pollinated/heirloom seeds in person? Prefer Metro-West, but I'll go where the seeds are.
posted by Mayor Curley on Feb 28, 2009 - 6 answers

When I was a boy, my father's father passed away. He had been a medic in the Navy in WWII, stationed in Australia, and also spent time in Hawaii. Among the few things we inherited from him were a pair of Buddha cuff links. They were mother-of-pearl (or similar) images of the sitting Buddha, done in frieze style. They've been stolen. [more inside]
posted by xz on May 11, 2008 - 2 answers

Help me build a device to last the ages - and still function! For a hobby/art project, I'm building a pocket-sized gadget comprised of electronics, gears, metal, glass, wood, plastic, etc. Is there any particular book or other source that stands out as the bible on issues of long-lasting methods and materials? Ie covers questions like how transparent and strong various plastics remain after X years/decades of sun and UV? Which material/method of lubrication for gears will best last decades under X conditions? Which soldier alloy? [more inside]
posted by -harlequin- on Oct 17, 2007 - 7 answers

Calling all aunts, uncles and parents: Need recommendations on teddy bears that can handle a LOT of love from a child and can be passed on later to the next generation [more inside]
posted by jadepearl on Jul 24, 2007 - 18 answers

As strange as it sounds, I need help picking out a gift for myself from my dead brother. [more inside]
posted by Ekim Neems on Nov 20, 2006 - 16 answers

My grandmother's ring, a long-distance relationship that's about to become a co-habitation, and a boyfriend who just graduated college and doesn't have any money yet.... Help! [more inside]
posted by Teevee's Bella on Aug 19, 2006 - 19 answers

Does anyone know anything about watch fobs for pocketwatches? [more inside]
posted by pjern on Feb 23, 2006 - 11 answers

My great-grandpa never opened his huge display bottle of Benedictine in a fancy wooden cradle. How can I find a buyer, or at least valuation, for this rarity? [more inside]
posted by Scram on Jan 30, 2006 - 5 answers