diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index cf15be8..8bf7c8e 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ intersphinx_mapping = {
     'pyramid': ('https://docs.pylonsproject.org/projects/pyramid/en/latest/', None),
     'python': ('https://docs.python.org/3/', None),
     'rattail-manual': ('https://rattailproject.org/docs/rattail-manual/', None),
+    'sqlalchemy': ('http://docs.sqlalchemy.org/en/latest/', None),
     'webhelpers2': ('https://webhelpers2.readthedocs.io/en/latest/', None),
     'wuttjamaican': ('https://rattailproject.org/docs/wuttjamaican/', None),
     'wutta-continuum': ('https://rattailproject.org/docs/wutta-continuum/', None),
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
index 8f5cafc..9caed35 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
@@ -457,23 +457,62 @@ class Form:
         if self.schema:
             self.schema[key] = node
 
-    def set_widget(self, key, widget):
+    def set_widget(self, key, widget, **kwargs):
         """
         Set/override the widget for a field.
 
+        You can specify a widget instance or else a named "type" of
+        widget, in which case that is passed along to
+        :meth:`make_widget()`.
+
         :param key: Name of field.
 
-        :param widget: Instance of
-           :class:`deform:deform.widget.Widget`.
+        :param widget: Either a :class:`deform:deform.widget.Widget`
+           instance, or else a widget "type" name.
+
+        :param \**kwargs: Any remaining kwargs are passed along to
+           :meth:`make_widget()` - if applicable.
 
         Widget overrides are tracked via :attr:`widgets`.
         """
+        if not isinstance(widget, deform.widget.Widget):
+            widget_obj = self.make_widget(widget, **kwargs)
+            if not widget_obj:
+                raise ValueError(f"widget type not supported: {widget}")
+            widget = widget_obj
+
         self.widgets[key] = widget
 
         # update schema if necessary
         if self.schema and key in self.schema:
             self.schema[key].widget = widget
 
+    def make_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Make and return a new field widget of the given type.
+
+        This has built-in support for the following types (although
+        subclass can override as needed):
+
+        * ``'notes'`` => :class:`~wuttaweb.forms.widgets.NotesWidget`
+
+        See also :meth:`set_widget()` which may call this method
+        automatically.
+
+        :param widget_type: Which of the above (or custom) widget
+           type to create.
+
+        :param \**kwargs: Remaining kwargs are passed as-is to the
+           widget factory.
+
+        :returns: New widget instance, or ``None`` if e.g. it could
+           not determine how to create the widget.
+        """
+        from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
+
+        if widget_type == 'notes':
+            return widgets.NotesWidget(**kwargs)
+
     def set_grid(self, key, grid):
         """
         Establish a :term:`grid` to be displayed for a field.  This
@@ -1111,6 +1150,32 @@ class Form:
 
         return self.validated
 
+    def has_global_errors(self):
+        """
+        Convenience function to check if the form has any "global"
+        (not field-level) errors.
+
+        See also :meth:`get_global_errors()`.
+
+        :returns: ``True`` if global errors present, else ``False``.
+        """
+        dform = self.get_deform()
+        return bool(dform.error)
+
+    def get_global_errors(self):
+        """
+        Returns a list of "global" (not field-level) error messages
+        for the form.
+
+        See also :meth:`has_global_errors()`.
+
+        :returns: List of error messages (possibly empty).
+        """
+        dform = self.get_deform()
+        if dform.error is None:
+            return []
+        return dform.error.messages()
+
     def get_field_errors(self, field):
         """
         Return a list of error messages for the given field.
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py
index 6347b61..275d42c 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py
@@ -24,15 +24,40 @@
 Form schema types
 """
 
+import datetime
 import uuid as _uuid
 
 import colander
+import sqlalchemy as sa
 
 from wuttaweb.db import Session
 from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
 from wuttjamaican.db.model import Person
 
 
+class WuttaDateTime(colander.DateTime):
+    """
+    Custom schema type for ``datetime`` fields.
+
+    This should be used automatically for
+    :class:`sqlalchemy:sqlalchemy.types.DateTime` columns unless you
+    register another default.
+
+    This schema type exists for sake of convenience, when working with
+    the Buefy datepicker + timepicker widgets.
+    """
+
+    def deserialize(self, node, cstruct):
+        """ """
+        if not cstruct:
+            return colander.null
+
+        try:
+            return datetime.datetime.strptime(cstruct, '%Y-%m-%dT%I:%M %p')
+        except:
+            node.raise_invalid("Invalid date and/or time")
+
+
 class ObjectNode(colander.SchemaNode):
     """
     Custom schema node class which adds methods for compatibility with
@@ -207,6 +232,11 @@ class ObjectRef(colander.SchemaType):
 
     def serialize(self, node, appstruct):
         """ """
+        # nb. normalize to empty option if no object ref, so that
+        # works as expected
+        if self.empty_option and not appstruct:
+            return self.empty_option[0]
+
         if appstruct is colander.null:
             return colander.null
 
@@ -497,3 +527,7 @@ class FileDownload(colander.String):
         """ """
         kwargs.setdefault('url', self.url)
         return widgets.FileDownloadWidget(self.request, **kwargs)
+
+
+# nb. colanderalchemy schema overrides
+sa.DateTime.__colanderalchemy_config__ = {'typ': WuttaDateTime}
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py
index 2d91eb9..b4ed6a3 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class ObjectRefWidget(SelectWidget):
         # add url, only if rendering readonly
         readonly = kw.get('readonly', self.readonly)
         if readonly:
-            if 'url' not in values and self.url and field.schema.model_instance:
+            if 'url' not in values and self.url and hasattr(field.schema, 'model_instance'):
                 values['url'] = self.url(field.schema.model_instance)
 
         return values
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/handler.py b/src/wuttaweb/handler.py
index f5b4d71..1ac0b78 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/handler.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/handler.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Web Handler
 
 from wuttjamaican.app import GenericHandler
 
-from wuttaweb import static
+from wuttaweb import static, forms, grids
 
 
 class WebHandler(GenericHandler):
@@ -122,3 +122,23 @@ class WebHandler(GenericHandler):
                                    default='wuttaweb.menus:MenuHandler')
             self.menu_handler = self.app.load_object(spec)(self.config)
         return self.menu_handler
+
+    def make_form(self, request, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Make and return a new :class:`~wuttaweb.forms.base.Form`
+        instance, per the given ``kwargs``.
+
+        This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
+        constructor.
+        """
+        return forms.Form(request, **kwargs)
+
+    def make_grid(self, request, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Make and return a new :class:`~wuttaweb.grids.base.Grid`
+        instance, per the given ``kwargs``.
+
+        This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
+        constructor.
+        """
+        return grids.Grid(request, **kwargs)
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako
index 8da535a..695bfb8 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako
@@ -196,6 +196,11 @@
         width: 50%;
     }
 
+    .wutta-form-wrapper .field.is-horizontal .field-body .select,
+    .wutta-form-wrapper .field.is-horizontal .field-body .select select {
+        width: 100%;
+    }
+
   </style>
 </%def>
 
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/dateinput.pt b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/dateinput.pt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b0e1285
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/dateinput.pt
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+<div>
+  ${field.start_mapping()}
+  <wutta-datepicker name="date"
+                    value="${cstruct}" />
+  ${field.end_mapping()}
+</div>
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/datetimeinput.pt b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/datetimeinput.pt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b617929
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/datetimeinput.pt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+<div style="display: flex; gap: 0.5rem;">
+  ${field.start_mapping()}
+  <wutta-datepicker name="date"
+                    style="flex-grow: 1;"
+                    value="${date}" />
+  <wutta-timepicker name="time"
+                    style="flex-grow: 1;"
+                    value="${time}" />
+  ${field.end_mapping()}
+</div>
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt
index 3ab9e0e..70c1040 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@
     ${str(field.schema.model_instance or '')}
   </a>
   <span tal:condition="not url">
-    ${str(field.schema.model_instance or '')}
+    ${str(getattr(field.schema, 'model_instance', None) or '')}
   </span>
 </tal:omit>
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
index 5a4af70..d913054 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
@@ -4,6 +4,14 @@
   ${h.form(form.action_url, method='post', enctype='multipart/form-data', **form_attrs)}
     ${h.csrf_token(request)}
 
+    % if form.has_global_errors():
+        % for msg in form.get_global_errors():
+            <b-notification type="is-warning" :closable="false">
+              ${msg}
+            </b-notification>
+        % endfor
+    % endif
+
     <section>
       % for fieldname in form:
           ${form.render_vue_field(fieldname)}
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako
index b52992e..6030840 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 <%def name="make_wutta_components()">
   ${self.make_wutta_request_mixin()}
   ${self.make_wutta_button_component()}
+  ${self.make_wutta_datepicker_component()}
+  ${self.make_wutta_timepicker_component()}
   ${self.make_wutta_filter_component()}
   ${self.make_wutta_filter_value_component()}
 </%def>
@@ -149,6 +151,141 @@
   </script>
 </%def>
 
+<%def name="make_wutta_datepicker_component()">
+  <script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-datepicker-template">
+    <b-datepicker :name="name"
+                  :editable="editable"
+                  icon-pack="fas"
+                  icon="calendar-alt"
+                  :date-formatter="formatDate"
+                  :value="buefyValue" />
+  </script>
+  <script>
+    const WuttaDatepicker = {
+        template: '#wutta-datepicker-template',
+        props: {
+            name: String,
+            value: String,
+            editable: {
+                type: Boolean,
+                default: true,
+            },
+        },
+        data() {
+            return {
+                buefyValue: this.parseDate(this.value),
+            }
+        },
+        methods: {
+
+            formatDate(date) {
+                if (date === null) {
+                    return null
+                }
+                // just need to convert to simple ISO date format here, seems
+                // like there should be a more obvious way to do that?
+                var year = date.getFullYear()
+                var month = date.getMonth() + 1
+                var day = date.getDate()
+                month = month < 10 ? '0' + month : month
+                day = day < 10 ? '0' + day : day
+                return year + '-' + month + '-' + day
+            },
+
+            parseDate(date) {
+                if (!date) {
+                    return
+                }
+                if (typeof(date) == 'string') {
+                    // nb. this assumes classic YYYY-MM-DD (ISO) format
+                    var parts = date.split('-')
+                    return new Date(parts[0], parseInt(parts[1]) - 1, parts[2])
+                }
+                return date
+            },
+        },
+    }
+    Vue.component('wutta-datepicker', WuttaDatepicker)
+  </script>
+</%def>
+
+<%def name="make_wutta_timepicker_component()">
+  <script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-timepicker-template">
+    <b-timepicker :name="name"
+                  editable
+                  :value="buefyValue" />
+  </script>
+  <script>
+    const WuttaTimepicker = {
+        template: '#wutta-timepicker-template',
+        props: {
+            name: String,
+            value: String,
+            editable: {
+                type: Boolean,
+                default: true,
+            },
+        },
+        data() {
+            return {
+                buefyValue: this.parseTime(this.value),
+            }
+        },
+        methods: {
+
+            formatTime(time) {
+                if (time === null) {
+                    return null
+                }
+
+                let h = time.getHours()
+                let m = time.getMinutes()
+                let s = time.getSeconds()
+
+                h = h < 10 ? '0' + h : h
+                m = m < 10 ? '0' + m : m
+                s = s < 10 ? '0' + s : s
+
+                return h + ':' + m + ':' + s
+            },
+
+            parseTime(time) {
+                if (time.getHours) {
+                    return time
+                }
+
+                let found, hours, minutes
+
+                found = time.match(/^(\d\d):(\d\d):\d\d$/)
+                if (found) {
+                    hours = parseInt(found[1])
+                    minutes = parseInt(found[2])
+                    return new Date(null, null, null, hours, minutes)
+                }
+
+                found = time.match(/^\s*(\d\d?):(\d\d)\s*([AaPp][Mm])\s*$/)
+                if (found) {
+                    hours = parseInt(found[1])
+                    minutes = parseInt(found[2])
+                    const ampm = found[3].toUpperCase()
+                    if (ampm == 'AM') {
+                        if (hours == 12) {
+                            hours = 0
+                        }
+                    } else { // PM
+                        if (hours < 12) {
+                            hours += 12
+                        }
+                    }
+                    return new Date(null, null, null, hours, minutes)
+                }
+            },
+        },
+    }
+    Vue.component('wutta-timepicker', WuttaTimepicker)
+  </script>
+</%def>
+
 <%def name="make_wutta_filter_component()">
   <script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-filter-template">
     <div v-show="filter.visible"
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py
index 5121f3c..c5bb0dc 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ from pyramid import httpexceptions
 from pyramid.renderers import render_to_response
 from pyramid.response import FileResponse
 
-from wuttaweb import forms, grids
+from wuttaweb import grids
 
 
 class View:
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ class View:
         This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
         constructor.
         """
-        return forms.Form(self.request, **kwargs)
+        web = self.app.get_web_handler()
+        return web.make_form(self.request, **kwargs)
 
     def make_grid(self, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -85,7 +86,8 @@ class View:
         This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
         constructor.
         """
-        return grids.Grid(self.request, **kwargs)
+        web = self.app.get_web_handler()
+        return web.make_grid(self.request, **kwargs)
 
     def make_grid_action(self, key, **kwargs):
         """
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
index 6e70c4d..4ce9d2d 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
@@ -2000,7 +2000,7 @@ class MasterView(View):
         Default logic returns the value from ``str(instance)``;
         subclass may override if needed.
         """
-        return str(instance)
+        return str(instance) or "(no title)"
 
     def get_action_url(self, action, obj, **kwargs):
         """
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py
index 3a913d0..19f5bba 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ from sqlalchemy import orm
 
 from wuttjamaican.db.model import Upgrade
 from wuttaweb.views import MasterView
-from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
 from wuttaweb.forms.schema import UserRef, WuttaEnum, FileDownload
 from wuttaweb.progress import get_progress_session
 
@@ -147,7 +146,7 @@ class UpgradeView(MasterView):
             f.set_node('created_by', UserRef(self.request))
 
         # notes
-        f.set_widget('notes', widgets.NotesWidget())
+        f.set_widget('notes', 'notes')
 
         # status
         if self.creating:
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_base.py b/tests/forms/test_base.py
index ef8e4b6..8808bfa 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_base.py
@@ -142,6 +142,26 @@ class TestForm(TestCase):
         self.assertIs(form.widgets['foo'], new_widget)
         self.assertIs(schema['foo'].widget, new_widget)
 
+        # can also just specify widget pseudo-type (invalid)
+        self.assertNotIn('bar', form.widgets)
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, form.set_widget, 'bar', 'ldjfadjfadj')
+
+        # can also just specify widget pseudo-type (valid)
+        self.assertNotIn('bar', form.widgets)
+        form.set_widget('bar', 'notes')
+        self.assertIsInstance(form.widgets['bar'], widgets.NotesWidget)
+
+    def test_make_widget(self):
+        form = self.make_form(fields=['foo', 'bar'])
+
+        # notes
+        widget = form.make_widget('notes')
+        self.assertIsInstance(widget, widgets.NotesWidget)
+
+        # invalid
+        widget = form.make_widget('fdajvdafjjf')
+        self.assertIsNone(widget)
+
     def test_set_grid(self):
         form = self.make_form(fields=['foo', 'bar'])
         self.assertNotIn('foo', form.widgets)
@@ -544,6 +564,34 @@ class TestForm(TestCase):
         data = form.get_vue_model_data()
         self.assertEqual(list(data.values()), ['one', 'two', True])
 
+    def test_has_global_errors(self):
+
+        def fail(node, value):
+            node.raise_invalid("things are bad!")
+
+        schema = self.make_schema()
+        schema.validator = fail
+        form = self.make_form(schema=schema)
+        self.assertFalse(form.has_global_errors())
+        self.request.method = 'POST'
+        self.request.POST = {'foo': 'one', 'bar': 'two'}
+        self.assertFalse(form.validate())
+        self.assertTrue(form.has_global_errors())
+
+    def test_get_global_errors(self):
+
+        def fail(node, value):
+            node.raise_invalid("things are bad!")
+
+        schema = self.make_schema()
+        schema.validator = fail
+        form = self.make_form(schema=schema)
+        self.assertEqual(form.get_global_errors(), [])
+        self.request.method = 'POST'
+        self.request.POST = {'foo': 'one', 'bar': 'two'}
+        self.assertFalse(form.validate())
+        self.assertTrue(form.get_global_errors(), ["things are bad!"])
+
     def test_get_field_errors(self):
         schema = self.make_schema()
 
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_schema.py b/tests/forms/test_schema.py
index e7f9f36..003271c 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_schema.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_schema.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
 
+import datetime
+from unittest import TestCase
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import colander
@@ -13,6 +15,22 @@ from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
 from tests.util import DataTestCase, WebTestCase
 
 
+class TestWutaDateTime(TestCase):
+
+    def test_deserialize(self):
+        typ = mod.WuttaDateTime()
+        node = colander.SchemaNode(typ)
+
+        result = typ.deserialize(node, colander.null)
+        self.assertIs(result, colander.null)
+
+        result = typ.deserialize(node, '2024-12-11T10:33 PM')
+        self.assertIsInstance(result, datetime.datetime)
+        self.assertEqual(result, datetime.datetime(2024, 12, 11, 22, 33))
+
+        self.assertRaises(colander.Invalid, typ.deserialize, node, 'bogus')
+
+
 class TestObjectNode(DataTestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
@@ -102,6 +120,11 @@ class TestObjectRef(DataTestCase):
         value = typ.serialize(node, person)
         self.assertEqual(value, person.uuid.hex)
 
+        # null w/ empty option
+        typ = mod.ObjectRef(self.request, empty_option=('bad', 'BAD'))
+        value = typ.serialize(node, colander.null)
+        self.assertEqual(value, 'bad')
+
     def test_deserialize(self):
         model = self.app.model
         node = colander.SchemaNode(colander.String())
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_widgets.py b/tests/forms/test_widgets.py
index f479e5a..0ff5696 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_widgets.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_widgets.py
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ class TestObjectRefWidget(WebTestCase):
         self.session.add(person)
         self.session.commit()
 
+        # standard
         node = colander.SchemaNode(PersonRef(self.request, session=self.session))
         widget = self.make_widget()
         field = self.make_field(node)
@@ -68,6 +69,15 @@ class TestObjectRefWidget(WebTestCase):
         self.assertIn('cstruct', values)
         self.assertNotIn('url', values)
 
+        # readonly w/ empty option
+        node = colander.SchemaNode(PersonRef(self.request, session=self.session,
+                                             empty_option=('_empty_', '(empty)')))
+        widget = self.make_widget(readonly=True, url=lambda obj: '/foo')
+        field = self.make_field(node)
+        values = widget.get_template_values(field, '_empty_', {})
+        self.assertIn('cstruct', values)
+        self.assertNotIn('url', values)
+
 
 class TestFileDownloadWidget(WebTestCase):
 
diff --git a/tests/test_handler.py b/tests/test_handler.py
index 9c4037f..effb413 100644
--- a/tests/test_handler.py
+++ b/tests/test_handler.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
 
 from wuttaweb import handler as mod, static
+from wuttaweb.forms import Form
+from wuttaweb.grids import Grid
 from wuttaweb.menus import MenuHandler
 from tests.util import WebTestCase
 
@@ -62,3 +64,13 @@ class TestWebHandler(WebTestCase):
         handler = self.make_handler()
         menus = handler.get_menu_handler()
         self.assertIsInstance(menus, MenuHandler)
+
+    def test_make_form(self):
+        handler = self.make_handler()
+        form = handler.make_form(self.request)
+        self.assertIsInstance(form, Form)
+
+    def test_make_grid(self):
+        handler = self.make_handler()
+        grid = handler.make_grid(self.request)
+        self.assertIsInstance(grid, Grid)