Designed for magicians, cardists, collectors, and science nerds alike, Elemental Playing Cards are an homage to the simple beauty of the periodic table — and a nod towards the many ways it mirrors a deck of playing cards.
Elements from the periodic table can be rearranged to form any substance in the known universe, each with their own unique properties; playing cards can be rearranged and placed in different orders and sequences to create different hands. Both feature symbols and numbers. And both live within an order and structure. Elemental Playing Cards exists to explore these similarities.
After the success of the Hydrogen Deck, we are excited to present you with the next deck in the lineup, The Oxygen Deck.
Back Design
***ALL PHOTOS ARE OF A PROTOTYPE DECK. THE FINAL DECK WILL USE A METALLIC BLUE INK FOR THE BACK DESIGN AS WELL AS ON THE COURT CARDS***
The poker-style back design for the Oxygen Deck will include the use of a metallic blue ink and showcases the element oxygen in its most common form: O2. This can be seen in both the center of the design, as well as represented around the border. Both above and below the center oxygen logo, you will find a portion of Bohr’s atomic model for the element, with the nucleus in the center and the electron cloud around it. The words “Just Breathe” are written here as well. The six dots found around the the border of the design represent the 6 valence electrons oxygen has.
When humans and animals breathe in air, only about 21% of that air is oxygen. The oxygen we breathe is needed in order for our cells to perform cellular respiration — the process that gives our cells the energy to perform life functions.
The mantra “Just Breathe” serves as a reminder to relax, take a few seconds, and enjoy the moment. Mindful breathing has been known to help us refocus, release stress & tension, reduce anxiety, and increase creativity. Every single one of these is a benefit when it comes to using cards to perform magic or cardistry, as well as during different types of game play.
The court cards have been customized to include details that reflect the element oxygen in different ways. The red color has been stripped and replaced with a metallic blue ink. Please be aware that the cards in the photos are prototypes, so the metallic blue ink is not displayed but will appear in the final version.
The Jacks are all using a different breathing apparatus.
The Queens will include two scientific formulas of processes that are essential for life — the production of, and usage of, Oxygen. The two formulas are Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis.
The Kings of the Oxygen Deck showcase the interesting relationship between oxygen and fire. A flame cannot exist without oxygen to fuel it.
The Ace of Spades will look familiar to anyone who has seen the Hydrogen Deck’s Ace of Spades. It showcases a custom enlarged pip and in the center of the pip is Bohr’s atomic model for oxygen. The model includes oxygen’s atomic number, symbol, and number of valence electrons.
The Jokers for the Oxygen Deck were hand-drawn and, as with the Hydrogen Deck, are meant to bridge the gap between science and magic. It showcases a magician performing the famous water tank escape.
***For all add-ons, I ask that you please message me with which add-on you would like and to confirm how much your pledge should increase. This will help me keep track of everything you would like included in your order.***
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EXTRA OXYGEN DECKS
If you would like to add extra Oxygen Decks to your pledge, simply send me a message with the number of decks you would like to add and I can assist you with the correct amount to increase your pledge.
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A CASE OF WATER (H2O)
I am thrilled to offer this really special add-on to backers.
We’ve teamed up with Carat Case Creations to bring you a unique way to display your Oxygen and Hydrogen Decks. The case is made using 5mm acrylic sheets and neodymium magnets (10x stronger than normal magnets) to easily hold the lid in place.
The engraving on the lid shows how electrons are shared to create a covalent bond between hydrogen and oxygen in a molecule of water (H2O) — the most important molecules needed for life as we currently understand it. The engraving lines up perfectly with the element symbols as well as the circle design of the tuck case.
***If more than 50 cases are ordered during the campaign, this add-on will become a Kickstarter Exclusive.***
PRICES (shipping included in price)
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UNCUT SHEETS
Uncut Sheets for the Oxygen Deck and the Hydrogen Deck are available upon request and will be limited to only 10 sheets for the Oxygen Deck and 4 sheets for the Hydrogen Deck.
PRICES (shipping included in price)
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ORIGINAL JOKER ARTWORK (SOLD)
The Joker for the Oxygen Deck was hand-drawn and inked by me (Nick Nisco). Only one of these exists and it’s up for grabs. The art piece comes in a black picture frame.
The illustration will also come with 2 complimentary Oxygen Decks.
PRICES (shipping included in price)
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THE HYDROGEN DECK
Missed out on the Hydrogen Deck campaign? No worries, you can add it on here. Only 1000 Hydrogen decks were printed and there are limited quantities left.
PRICES (shipping included in price)
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LIQUID OXYGEN BOTTLES (Kickstarter Exclusive)
I’mPossible Bottles have recently become sought after collector’s items in the playing card community. After the success of “A Bottle of Hydrogen,” Deryn Le of I’mPossible Bottles and I wanted to up the ante to take this collector’s piece to the next level and do something we haven’t seen before.
Liquid Oxygen Bottles will make the use of an aqua blue resin to represent oxygen in its liquid form. This resin — which, when cured, becomes solid — will be carefully poured into the bottle allowing the Oxygen Deck to just barely rest inside it.
As with the previous Hydrogen I’mPossible Bottle, the Liquid Oxygen Bottles will sport a rubber stopper and a custom numbered yellow foil tag that reads “Liquid Oxygen” on one side with Elemental Playing Cards Logo on the other side. The deck will also be signed by myself (underneath the cellophane) and Deryn Le (on top of the cellophane).
These bottles will be limited as a Kickstarter Exclusive. They will be numbered on the tag in a first backed, first served numerical order.
Each Liquid Oxygen Bottle will include 2 complimentary Oxygen Decks.
PRICES (shipping included in price)
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Fulfillment will be handled by Gamblers Warehouse. Their knowledge and experience in the industry, as well as their tight-knit relationship with USPCC, is unrivaled.
If you would like more photos of the project, you can follow @elemental_playing_cards on Instagram
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A BIG THANK YOU
This project took months of planning and work and I would like to thank those that have had a hand in either the development or the campaign of the Oxygen Deck. A big thank you to the following people:
The design for oxygen playing cards is complete and ready for production. The risks and challenges are to overcome production time and the fulfillment process once the project is successfully funded. USPCC has been contacted regarding this project and the green light has been given for production, once funding is secured. In order to ensure the smoothest process possible, it is also imperative that backers return their surveys as soon as possible with updated information once the campaign ends.