CityLine is Canada’s longest running lifestyle show. Recently, host Tracy Moore talked to Jeanette Hlinka of Canadian House & Home about entertaining made simple. Paul Timman’s Cherry Ink pattern was the star of the show. Watch the full episode here (Ink Dish on at 16:00)

It’s been a busy couple of days on the Ink Dish website thanks to great writeup by Whitney Matheson who blogs for USA Today on “pop culture & hidden treasures”.

I like the way these items overlap with the art world: Pop reader Caroline P. told me about a small company she started with her husband called Ink Dish that puts designs by contemporary underground artists onto dinnerware.

“We’re hopefully changing people’s perception of what decoration can be and creating some pretty awesome modern functional art,” she says.

The first two collections are pretty great: One is by Hollywood tattoo artist Paul Timman; the other comes from Austin artist Alyson Fox.

Check out the full piece here.

We were thrilled with the response to our contest with Home & Garden Television (HGTV) last week. HGTV ran a promotion to give away a gift set of four Ink Dish “May” side plates by Alyson Fox.

To enter you had to answer the question: “Have you actually ever used the china you picked out when you got married?”

In three days we got over 300 responses. It was really interesting going through the responses. Some of my favorites are below (as you can see I loved a lot of them).

Check out all the responses on HGTV.com

“…For everyday use we use a mix of dishes I’ve found in museum shops, at art shows, etc. The Alyson Fox dishes would be a fantastic addition to our daily dishes. And they would go great with the three Fox prints we own.”

“…they are a mismatch, they work perfect for me since I get to match the pieces to my guests personality or occasion and so the Ink Dish plates would make a wonderful addition to my dinnerware.”

“…We only received four sets of our china, so four pieces of Ink Dish would be a perfect accent to what we have!”

“…I have added to my dinnerware collection and have 4-5 different sets of dishes that I use when entertaining. I love the December plates from Ink Dish….might have to add them to my collection.”

“…Currently, my dinnerware is plain white. I’ve bought a number of sets of four side plates in different patterns and colors so I can change up my table settings as my mood changes. I’d love to have the Alyson Fox plates to add to my collection…they are so ME.”

“…My mom has my grandma’s set and eventually it will be split between my sister and I. This set is so FUN!! I LOVE it.”

“For my first marriage registered for Noritake which I never used. For my second and present marriage, settled for Corningware SimplyLite 9-inch pie plates (they are the best when you have kids, no spillovers and so durable), but got a better guy with the deal! Would love the addition of the cute Alyson Fox designed dinnerware!”

“…The only dinnerware that my husband and I have had is the cheap set that we bought after we were married. The set has definitely had it’s fare share of use but we would love to replace it with something a little more presentable. The “December” collection is so cute & quirky….right up our alley! I bet they would make a great conversation piece while also being very functional.”

“…Would love to use China for many of the casual dinners we have with friends at home not just for “special occasions”. These patterns from Ink Dish are absolutely adorable! Thanks, HGTV!”

”…Love Fox’s design for Ink Dish, very creative.”

“…I didn’t register for actual China…but it was really nice everyday wear, and that’s what I use for my China…on special occasions! And actually, these really cute plates would match!”

“I received some china from my great Aunt but have never used it in fear of damaging it. the cheap stuff i do use though is off the clearance rack from walmart and i would really enjoy something cute and fun like these instead.”

“…My mom found a set of china in a yard sale and bought it for me. It was the sweetest thing and I love those dishes just as if they were new. The first time I used them was for a Christmas Tea at church. I decorated a table and they were beautiful. I would love the “December” Ink Dishes so I could use those for this December Tea at church!!! It would be the talk of all the tables!!”

“…Its fun to add some whimsy to the kitchen and these plates sure fit the bill! Thank you for the post and opportunity to win them.”

“…This is really cute, could use for everyday!!”

“…The Alison Fox set of dishes would head off to college with my daughter, I’m sure. She would LOVE them, she is pretty much out of the box, too!”

“…I would love to add these plates to my collection and pass them on someday. But if I don’t win them, to whoever does…enjoy!!! THey are cute and set the tone of your “party”!”

“…I hope I get some from my wedding registry! And I’d love to get these!!”

“…not yet married, but would really love to win this cute set!”

“…I got 8 place settings or Chelsea Wicker china. My husband and I were stil in college, me finishing my undergrad, and he getting his MBA. I think it was two years after the wedding when we were graduating fro college that we actually took all of the settings out of the boxes and looked at them to see that they have little black flaws in the off white plates. Too late to do anything about it at that point! Dang. This dinnerware is fantastically fun!”

“…my daughter and myself as well, would love them:) You really made me realize that it’s time for new plates and glasses”

“…Have my Grandmother’s “Apple Pattern” Franciscan Ware, which she bought in the 40’s or 50’s that I use everyday. No others, as we down-sized four years ago. Miss having a variety of choices. These are fun.”

“My husband and I as artists are not formal, so the traditional; china Idea seemed to not fit us , we opted for all white every day stuff in interesting forms, but I often wish we had something with color or a a funky design now and then.”

******Update

Since this post we have had two visitors to inkdish.com from Wyoming! One person from Laramie, Wyoming even stayed for 7 minutes. We couldn’t be happier and hope that all our friends from Wyoming come again soon . Don’t go the way of Jaques LaRamie (who LaRamie, Wyoming is named after) a French trapper who disappeared in the Laramie Mountains in the late 1810s and was never heard from again.

*******

It has been a busy stretch for us at Ink Dish. We had trade shows in Seattle, LA, and New York. We debuted Alyson Fox’s new collection. And we signed on two new artists, David Palmer and Dana Oldfather.

The combination of these events, strongly helped by some great press including Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy, has pushed our website well over 2,000 visitors in the last 30 days. I played around with Google Analytics and discovered that we have had visitors from 71 countries and 49 of the 50 states in the U.S.

I think we can do better. I’m talking to you Wyoming. Wyoming you were the only state we didn’t get a single visitor from in the last 30 days. So, I did some research to see if this was an anomaly. The World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb is coming up March 25 and maybe everyone is busy practicing. But it got worse, on deeper investigation to the best of my knowledge we have never had a visitor from Wyoming to inkdish.com.

So, I am making a personal appeal. I am not asking for miracles, just for a little effort. We had two visits from Yemen in the last 30 days, I think Wyoming should at least be able to match that. Please Wyoming, check out Ink Dish, tell me what you think, and let’s work together to make sure everyone in the country has access to beautiful, designer tableware.

As I final push we have created the following precarious stack of Paul Timman dinnerware inspired by Devil’s Tower in Wyoming as a tribute. Devil’s tower is America’s first state park and famous for its prevalence in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Win free dinnerware from Ink Dish and Elle Decor. For the next two months the leading interiors magazine is running a sweepstakes to give three lucky (and trendy) winners a full service for four of Alyson Fox’s iconic Tug dinnerware. Enter here and check out the full details below.

“Adorned with inglaze decals in the signature ink-drawing style of Austin-based designer Alyson Fox, this quirky dishware is crafted from high-grade porcelain that is both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Each winner will receive four complete place settings, including a 10″ dinner plate; a 7.75″ side plate; a 10 oz mug; and a 5.5″ dia, 18 oz bowl (total value: $288).”

3 winners

No purchase necessary.

Entry period February 18, 2010 Noon ET to April 19, 2010 Noon ET.

Enter Here

Just in time for Thanksgiving the new Cookin’ with Coolio book is out on the shelves. When Coolio and his team needed dinnerware as funky as the chef they chose Ink Dish’s Irezumi pattern by Paul Timman.

“If you like to laugh, eat delicious food, and do it all on a budget, Cookin’ with Coolio is the ultimate cookbook for you.” – Craig Ferguson

Check out Irezumi adding color to Coolio’s hot fruit sandwich above and karate chicken below. In the book Coolio describes how the hot fruit sandwich was born:

“I was having a meeting with some TV executives in my house. I was gonna make them dinner and let ‘em know that I wasn’t f&#@ing around. But when they arrived, I was lookin’ over my menu and I hadn’t planned anything for dessert. So I tucked my head into the refrigerator and pulled out everything I could find. It ended up being delicious.”

To get the recipe pick up Cookin’ with Coolio. Thanks to Elan Gale for putting Ink Dish together with the “ghetto gourmet”.

Ink dish has gone international. Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto and Commissaires in Montreal are now both carrying Ink Dish modern dinnerware.

Art Gallery of Ontario (Musée des beaux-arts de l’Ontario) is one of the largest art museums in North America with 480,000 sq ft of physical space. 5 years ago AGO embarked on a $250 million redevelopment plan led by famed architect Frank Gehry.

Inside the building is housed “Massacre of the Innocents” by Peter Paul Rubens, “Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet” by Tintoretto, and works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Andy Warhol and Sculptor Henry More among many, many others.

In the gift shop you can find works by such greats as Paul Timman.

Commissaires – is  a gallery, a museum and a design-forward gift shop, all in one.

“The idea was to sell design in another context – a store that acts as a gallery, said owner-curator Pierre Laramée, who opened on St. Laurent Blvd. near Fairmount St. four years ago as a rush of designers was putting Mile End on the style map. Works are typically shown for about three months, and are augmented by more accessible, permanent items like furniture, jewellery and scent. There are occasional photography exhibits, as well.” – Montreal Gazette

If you’re going to enter a new market, you might as well start at two of the top spots for design gifts in the country.

Ink Dish design director Caroline Pople became a cover girl this month thanks to Nouveau! Nouveau is a style supplement for HomeWorld Business magazine: a “leading business-to-business publication for the housewares industry”. For their fall 2009 issue the leading story was about how body art has become inspiration for new dinnerware designs.

Our very own Caroline Pople was interviewed about our Paul Timman tattoo tableware along with Jessica Rust who has also produced some tableware with tattoo type motifs on them. The issue was out in time for the New York Table Top show and it was nice to see a familiar face on the news stand in the basement of 41 Madison this year. We’ve had a great reaction to it so far and you can read the full article here.

We had such a great response to our survey and corresponding raffle that we decided to do another giveaway. This time, not only do you get a prize – but your three coolest friends do too.

Here’s how it works: After October 17th we will randomly draw one winner. The winner gets a service for one (dinner plate, side plate, bowl, and mug) in any one of our Paul Timman tattoo inspired patterns. Plus, they get to pick three friends to receive the same prize!

So, click the link above or below and put your name in the hat. Get your friends to enter too and make sure to tell them if they win not to forget the little people who pointed them in the right direction.

Enter here

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey to choose our new designs. If you did not participate in the last survey and would like to be a part of the next  round, email dave@inkdish.com and we’ll add you to the list. We release new designs every six months so there’ll be plenty more.

To say thanks to all who participated we put everyone who entered their email into a sweepstake to win a gift set of Ink Dish side plates.

The winner is:
Jason Holland of Toronto, Canada

RAFFLE Q&A

Wait a second, didn’t I just read about Jason Holland in your blog?
Yes you did. Jason (www.elevendesign.net) is the Irish born Scandinavian graphic designer living in Toronto who designed the Ink Dish logo, the original website, and did the recent redesign.

The fix is in.. Don’t you think it looks a bit fishy that your web designer won the raffle?
Yes. I can see how it looks that way but I assure you it was all above board.

I don’t believe you. This is &^%$#*&^!!!
We had 99 people enter the raffle. We took all of their emails and put them in an Excel spreadsheet. Then we went to www.random.org and set up a random number generator to choose a number between 1 and 99. The website spit out 48. Jason Holland was the 48th row in the Excel spreadsheet and was thus the winner.

I still don’t believe you.
I tell you what. We are going to do another sweepstake coming up and you are welcome to enter again. Details to come.

P.S to the one person who entered “Yes” as their email address we are happy you wanted to be included in the sweepstake but, unfortunately, we can’t read minds and thus had to disqualify you.