Month: November 2024

DoESMas! – DoES Bring & Share Xmas!

26th November 2024
"DoESMas! – DoES Bring & Share Xmas!"

It’s that time of year – so we’re inviting you again to help make the DoES end-of-year party super special!

Bring (if you can!):
– ⁠any friends who love a Xmas do
– some food for the potluck table and something for you to drink
– ⁠something small you’ve made (found, borrowed) for our Santa Lucky Dip

Share (if you like!):
– your best or worst of the year
– ⁠your hopes or plans for 2025
– ⁠your best tunes for our community karaoke

Let us know when you book your free ticket if you’d like to share anything and we’ll allocate a five-minute slot. Slots will also be available on the night. As will karaoke signups.

From 4pm so you can bring your family and friends

Dress like you made it.

Do lets us know if you can make it –  https://forms.gle/BKLD4jTdXWfkppHn9

DoES XMAS Party 2024

Week 703 – Xrays, Virtual Synths, Repair Cafe, Dressmaking

25th November 2024
"Week 703 – Xrays, Virtual Synths, Repair Cafe, Dressmaking"

Each week we’ll endeavour to publish some details of the interesting things that members of DoES Liverpool have been up to over the past seven days. You can find out a bit more about them in our introductory post.

And remember, if you’re involved with DoES Liverpool at all, let us know what you get up to so we can include it here!

Next Year’s MakeFest Dates

As a couple of people have asked recently (already planning their exhibits?), here’s the dates for next year’s MakeFests. Wirral is on Saturday 10th May and Liverpool is on Saturday 5th July.

January Start Boost Membership

Please help us spread the word!
If you, or any of your friends, could do with a Boost to get a new idea off the ground (or even just to keep going…), then take a look at our Boost scheme – 6 months free desk or workshop membership here at DoES Liverpool, conveniently situated near the centre of the city. Join our innovative community!
It’s a draw so everyone has an equal chance.
https://doesliverpool.com/co-working/boost-your-new-year/

Community Meeting Notes

We had our November Community Meeting on 23rd November – you can read the minutes here.

Things of Note

  • MCQN Ltd:JLCPCB seem to be copying the budget airline approach with random extra fees and the like; but I guess they now also send you some x-rays of your boards once they’ve come out of production.

    Here’s one of our new prototype My Bike’s Got LED boards, now en route to us 😀


    #weeknotes #ibal234 #PCB #ESP32 #manufacturing #Kicad #BikeTooter


    An x-ray of part of a printed circuit board populated with components. You can even see the components inside the metal can of the ESP32-C3 - they're in a darker zone caused by the metal shielding, but can still be made out.

  • matthewcroughan: I did not know until now how easy it could be to run virtual modular synths on #NixOS, both on a phone via Mobile NixOS and also on riscv64 devices like the allwinner d1 chip, mind blown. #weeknotes


  • DoES Liverpool:Lots of repairs happening at last Sunday’s Repair Café at DoES Liverpool!

    No Repair Café in December – the volunteers are having a much deserved day off, so the next one will be on 19th January 2025.



    Mike G fixing LEDs on a facemask while the owner looks on

    Mike R examining a gadget

    customers with a non-functioning shredder, waiting for it to be fixed

  • Adrian McEwen:Have spent most of today with a pair of oscilloscopes probing a rather sensitive formaldehyde sensor circuit trying to debug a source of noise.

    That has included my colleague Paul generating plots like this one from the HPGL output of his old CRT ‘scope, connected via an RS232 serial cable 😀


    #weeknotes



  • Jackie Pease:Experimenting with Kolam-style pattern using some salvaged plastic embroidery grid, cable ties and a very cheap COB LED strip I got from AliExpress – shame it wasn’t slightly longer!

    The LED strip is less flexible than yarn, so the curves are better.


    I’d like to try this with LED noodles.


    #WeekNotes




  • DoES Liverpool:Please help us spread the word!
    If you, or any of your friends, could do with a Boost to get a new idea off the ground (or even just to keep going…), then take a look at our Boost scheme – 6 months free desk or workshop membership here at DoES Liverpool, conveniently situated near the centre of the city. Join our innovative community!
    It’s a draw so everyone has an equal chance.
    doesliverpool.com/co-working/b
  • matthewcroughan: On my way to #zhf (zero hydra failures) in https://zurich.nix.ug, and trying to get nixos-unstable working on the little pink riscv64 Mango-Pi MQ Pro whilst at the airport.

    Surprisingly comfy to do this development on an arm platform/host, thanks to Nix. #weeknotes #riscv



  • DoES Liverpool:Nick using our Fibre Arts room to work on a commission for 3 gowns.

    Nick fitting a dress on one of our dressmakers mannequins

Coming Up in the Next Week

Monday 25 November, 7:00pm-9:00pm7pm-9pm Socialist Alternative discussion group
Tuesday 26 November, 7:30pm-9:30pmPVTV Meet-Up
Wednesday 27 November, 7:00pm-9:00pmLiverpool Revolutionary Communist Party
Thursday 28 November, 7:00pm-9:30pmMaker Night
Our free weekly evening meeting where you can find out about our space and all the making equipment in it, get a laser cutter or CNC embroidery machine induction, and work on projects from physical computing and electronics to 3d printing, routing and sewing. Just pay for materials used.

Somebody Should

The DoES Liverpool to-do list is stored in the issues of our Somebody Should repository on github. Head over there if there’s something you’d like to report, or if you want to help out fixing things.

See all the issues…

Issue counts: 414 open, 1552 closed

1 new issue:

Featured issue: Tony not engraving well. Can we move this on or close it?

No issues closed

Boost your New Year

22nd November 2024
"Boost your New Year"

It’s time to launch the process for the next round of Boost Membership, the first of 2025. This would be the cohort that will have their membership from January 2025 – June 2025.

If you already know what you’re doing then head over here to apply otherwise read on for more information about Boost membership.

Apply for Boost Membership

The DoES Liverpool Boost Membership was introduced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of DoES Liverpool – the amazing coworking and shared workshop space in the Fabric District of Liverpool. Boost membership gives two people the opportunity to use the space free of charge for six months either with an allocated desk or by having 24-hour access to the workshop.

As things continue to be difficult for people due to inflation, fuel prices and all the economic woes we’re dealing with at the moment we thought it would be worth pointing out that boost membership is open to anyone, even existing paying members. If 6 months free membership would help you out at the moment then feel free to apply, of course if you’re not already a paying member you are still welcome to apply.

Applications are open until 11:59pm on Sunday 15th December 2024, any applications received after this point will not be considered. We will endeavour to announce the winners as soon as possible afterwards.

We have a dedicated page with lots more information about Boost Membership so if you want to find out more just head over there and take a look!

Week 702 – TEALS, Bike PCBs, Shelf Games

18th November 2024
"Week 702 – TEALS, Bike PCBs, Shelf Games"

Each week we’ll endeavour to publish some details of the interesting things that members of DoES Liverpool have been up to over the past seven days. You can find out a bit more about them in our introductory post.

And remember, if you’re involved with DoES Liverpool at all, let us know what you get up to so we can include it here!

November Future Gazing / Community Meeting – Saturday

The most popular time in the Doodle Poll was Saturday 23rd November 4pm – 6pm, so we’ve booked the Event Space for then.

Please try to make it along to have your say in the way that DoES Liverpool is run and find out what you can do to help. If you can’t get there in person then get in touch and we’ll organise access via Zoom.

Things of Note

  • MCQN Ltd:Bike PCB bonanza today! Just placed the order for:
    * New prototype My Bike’s Got LED boards
    * More of the Microbit LED boards for kids workshops
    * The audio-level-shifter board for @amcewen‘s bike soundsystem#weeknotes #ibal234 #WLED #microbit #ibal249 #ibal250 #Kicad #BikeTooter
    Screen grab of the PCB manufacturer shopping cart, showing two red PCBs - one long and thin, one roughly square; a green PCB with a notch in one side; and a PCB stencil

  • Adrian McEwen:Looking forward to trying out the new My Bike’s Got LED boards. On-board charging! An ESP32-C3 so we can do sound-reactive 🎶 And @huffeec has shrunk the footprint down so it’s almost half the size of the v1 boards 😀#weeknotes
  • DoES Liverpool:A simple turbine made by Sean J at from wood and laser cut acrylic, as part of a stem outreach session, to teach kids about electricity generation.

    A black acrylic fan attached to a wooden support, with electrical leads

  • DoES Liverpool:Poppy from Shelf Games, who are based here at DoES Liverpool.
    You can find their games at shelf.itch.ioLove the Shelf logo on these dye sublimation mugs!

    Poppy, standing in the DoES Liverpool kitchen, drinking from a mug with the Shelf Games logo

    A close-up of the Shelf Games mug, featuring a black stylised outline bird, in black on a white background. The mug has a yellow handle and inside

  • Jackie Pease:I’ve been experimenting with Indian Kolams in Kuguri-Zashi Sashiko-ish style – inspired by @anu1905 alpaca.pubpub.org/pub/eljjyi80.
    I haven’t yet managed to duplicate the machine-embroidered grid but I’m working on it! Here’s a couple of 3-3 dot Kolams on a hand-stitched grid (I was surprised they aren’t all single path).
    #WeekNotes
    Red thread woven in and out of a white thread grid on silver card

    Red thread woven in and out of a white thread grid on silver card


Coming Up in the Next Week

Monday 18 November, 7:00pm-9:00pm7pm-9pm Socialist Alternative discussion group
Tuesday 19 November, 6:15pm-8:15pmXR Liverpool
Wednesday 20 November, 7:00pm-9:00pmLiverpool Revolutionary Communist Party
Thursday 21 November, 7:00pm-9:30pmMaker Night
Our free weekly evening meeting where you can find out about our space and all the making equipment in it, get a laser cutter or CNC embroidery machine induction, and work on projects from physical computing and electronics to 3d printing, routing and sewing. Just pay for materials used.
Saturday 23 November, 4:00pm – 6:00pmNovember Future Gazing / Community Meeting
Please try to make it along to have your say in the way that DoES Liverpool is run and find out what you can do to help.

If you can’t get there in person then get in touch and we’ll organise access via Zoom.
Sunday 24 November, 2:00pm-5:00pmPlastic Playgroup

In a world with mountains of plastic and molehills of play, let’s get our spades out and shift the balance.

Make new things from abandoned plastic with us. Plantpots, purses … pedalos?Shred plastic. Blend it. Meld scraps together with a heat gun. Make sheets. Laser cut it. CNC it. Stitch potato bags together with soldering iron? Make fabrics with a regular iron? What have we got, what can we make? We don’t know – let’s figure it out!Two rules:1. No Objectives – this is an aimless and wandering session.2. Bring Your Own Initiative – this is an active session and we’ll help you get creative.Every two weeks on a Sunday afternoon, between 2pm and 5pm.Facilitated by Plastic Tactics – follow @plastacs on social for the latest updates, and to see what we make if you can’t be here in person

Somebody Should

The DoES Liverpool to-do list is stored in the issues of our Somebody Should repository on github. Head over there if there’s something you’d like to report, or if you want to help out fixing things.

See all the issues…

Issue counts: 413 open, 1552 closed

2 new issues:

Featured issue: Dispose of paint tins. Can we move this on or close it?

3 issues closed:

Thanks amcewen, JackiePease!

Week 701 – Git Training, KiCad

11th November 2024
"Week 701 – Git Training, KiCad"

Each week we’ll endeavour to publish some details of the interesting things that members of DoES Liverpool have been up to over the past seven days. You can find out a bit more about them in our introductory post.

And remember, if you’re involved with DoES Liverpool at all, let us know what you get up to so we can include it here!

Things of Note

Coming Up in the Next Week

Monday 11 November, 7:00pm-9:00pm7pm-9pm Socialist Alternative discussion group
Wednesday 13 November, 7:00pm-9:00pmLiverpool Revolutionary Communist Party
Thursday 14 November, 9:00am-6:00pmJelly Liverpool
Thursday 14 November, 5:00pm-7:00pmStudent Socialists
Thursday 14 November, 7:00pm-9:30pmMaker Night
Our free weekly evening meeting where you can find out about our space and all the making equipment in it, get a laser cutter or CNC embroidery machine induction, and work on projects from physical computing and electronics to 3d printing, routing and sewing. Just pay for materials used.
Sunday 17 November, 11:00am-3:00pmRepair Café

Somebody Should

The DoES Liverpool to-do list is stored in the issues of our Somebody Should repository on github. Head over there if there’s something you’d like to report, or if you want to help out fixing things.

See all the issues…

Issue counts: 414 open, 1549 closed

3 new issues:

Featured issue: Find a way to get github to send email notifications to the laser team. Can we move this on or close it?

1 issue closed:

Thanks amcewen!

Week 700 – Destash!

4th November 2024
"Week 700 – Destash!"

Each week we’ll endeavour to publish some details of the interesting things that members of DoES Liverpool have been up to over the past seven days. You can find out a bit more about them in our introductory post.

And remember, if you’re involved with DoES Liverpool at all, let us know what you get up to so we can include it here!

Things of Note

  • MCQN Ltd:OH in the @MCQN_Ltd github issues: “Of course this may be madness but the issue is open to record it just in case..”#weeknotes
  • DoES Liverpool:Crafters, Artists and Creative Enthusiasts!Sanna is holding a DESTASH SALE at DoES Liverpool, this Sat 9th November from 1pm – 5pm (during our monthly Maker Day, so you can come along to both).

    Two former small business owners are decluttering their stashes, including quality fabrics, haberdashery, art and craft supplies, books, clothing, accessories and furniture.

    A one-off sale on a ‘pay what you can’ basis – all proceeds to local charities and community organisations.

Coming Up in the Next Week

Monday 04 November, 7:00pm-9:00pm 7pm-9pm Socialist Alternative discussion group
Tuesday 05 November, 6:30pm-9:30pm Hack the Space Evening
Wednesday 06 November, 7:00pm-9:00pm Liverpool Linux User Group
Thursday 07 November, 5:00pm-7:00pm Student Socialists
Thursday 07 November, 7:00pm-9:30pm Maker Night
Our free weekly evening meeting where you can find out about our space and all the making equipment in it, get a laser cutter or CNC embroidery machine induction, and work on projects from physical computing and electronics to 3d printing, routing and sewing. Just pay for materials used.
Thursday 07 November, 7:00pm-11:00pm LivNUG (Liverpool Nix/NixOS User Group)
Saturday 09 November, 12:00pm-6:00pm Maker Day
Our free monthly daytime meeting where you can find out about our space and all the making equipment in it, get a laser cutter or CNC embroidery machine induction, and work on projects from physical computing and electronics to 3d printing, routing and sewing. Just pay for materials used.
Saturday 09 November, 1:00pm-5:00pm Destash Event

DESTASH & CHARITY SALE – Art, Craft Supplies & More!
Saturday 9th November from 1-5pm at DoES Liverpool
1st Floor, Tapestry Building, 68-76 Kempston St, L3 8HL
Join us for a special destash sale organised by two former business owners who are opening their collections to the creative community.
This unique “pay as you feel” event features a treasure trove of art supplies, craft materials, books, clothing, and select furniture pieces.
What to Expect:
• Organic knit & woven fabrics
• Selection of haberdashery
• Art and craft supplies
• Books, magazines and patterns
• Vintage and designer clothing
• Office and home furniture
• miscellaneous items
All items in good condition and ready for their next creative home
This isn’t just a sale – it’s an opportunity to give these materials a second life while supporting important causes. While we’re operating on a “pay as you feel” basis, we kindly ask visitors to consider the value of the items and their contribution to our chosen charities.
We will hopefully be joined on the day by some others also sharing the space to sell their stashes too.
More info and details of all those who are participating and which charities they have chosen will be confirmed very soon.
So please check back for any updates over the next few days.
Perfect for:
• Artists and crafters
• Creative enthusiasts
• Small business owners
• DIY lovers
• Conscious shoppers
Every purchase helps support our designated charities while ensuring these quality materials find new homes where they’ll be appreciated and used.
Sunday 10 November, 2:00pm-5:00pm Plastic Playgroup (DoES Workshop)
In a world with mountains of plastic and molehills of play, let’s get our spades out and shift the balance.Make new things from abandoned plastic with us. Plantpots, purses … pedalos?Shred plastic. Blend it. Meld scraps together with a heat gun. Make sheets. Laser cut it. CNC it. Stitch potato bags together with soldering iron? Make fabrics with a regular iron? What have we got, what can we make? We don’t know – let’s figure it out!
Two rules:
1. No Objectives – this is an aimless and wandering session.
2. Bring Your Own Initiative – this is an active session and we’ll help you get creative.
Every two weeks on a Sunday afternoon, between 2pm and 5pm.Facilitated by Plastic Tactics – follow on social for the latest updates, and to see what we make if you can’t be here in person:
http://instagram.com/plastacs
http://twitter.com/plastacs
http://facebook.com/plastictacticsliverpool

Somebody Should

The DoES Liverpool to-do list is stored in the issues of our Somebody Should repository on github. Head over there if there’s something you’d like to report, or if you want to help out fixing things.

See all the issues…

Issue counts: 411 open, 1549 closed

7 new issues:

Featured issue: Door handle of Room 29 is wobbly. Can we move this on or close it?

Featured issue: Tony apparently not cutting square. Can we move this on or close it?

Featured issue: Create a “Cost of Being Epic” poster for the space (and online). Can we move this on or close it?

Featured issue: status.doesliverpool.com is down. Can we move this on or close it?

Featured issue: Fuse for main room tripped when I switched the lights on. Can we move this on or close it?

5 issues closed:

Thanks JackiePease, magman2112, amcewen!

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