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Stacey Jay Kelly

@squiddleink

2.9K

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1774

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I am a designer from Greater Manchester UK. I make games, playing cards, linocut prints and illustrations. Art is for humans, I do not use AI.

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Aoi Koi (Blue Carp) 💙 Playing cards available now.

Shimmering continous Koi pattern that wraps around the box, which is then sealed with a beautifully textured long red paper seal. The contrast is perfect.

Inside we have highlighted holofoil cards with the most delicate background Seigaiha pattern. The illustrated cards leak glittering foil through detailed patterns and the court card characters feature, Warriors, Geishas and Kabuki actors with ornate decoration.

I have worked incredibly hard to make this deck into something very special and I know you will love it. The link to the Kickstarter is available in my bio. Hope to see you there.

#playingcards #cardistry #japan #koi #holofoil by @squiddleink

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8 hours ago

Young Kabuki actors Jacks created in the style of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. I am so thrilled with the progress of the Aoi Koi Kickstarter campaign launch, all the early birds are officially gone! What an incredible couple of days. Thank you to everyone who has pledged for a deck of cards. I can't wait to share these with you.

If you would like a set of Aoi Koi playing cards, please visit the Kickstarter campaign link in my bio.

There are some really unique add-ons included in this campaign, including a Furoshiki scarf box set and a slim edition of the cards.

#playingcards #cardistry #japan #koi #holofoil by @squiddleink

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2 days ago

Now Live on Kickstarter: The Aoi Koi deck is off to a wonderful start.

This deck takes us beneath the surface of Japanese Temple ponds, where shimmering blue Koi fish swim. The tuck box features a continuous Koi pattern that flows around each corner, with holofoil, glittering fish scales, and a luxurious textured-paper red seal.

The Japanese art of indigo dyeing, named Aizome, is very popular in Japan. This is the inspiration for the colour palette used in this deck. Blue Koi Carp, or Asagi, are also highly collectable fish for Japanese Koi ponds as they represent tranquillity.

The Koi pattern has been carefully pieced together to create a continuous design. So many fins and scales, all designed by hand over many hours.

The inside of the tuck box features a collection of blue stamps in the style of those seen at Japanese temples, against a deep navy background. This looks very luxurious when the tuck flap is opened. The stamps have a subtle iridescent glow.

The card back gleams with a very detailed, mirrored Koi fish pattern. The holofoil sits beneath layers of blue ink so that each colour reacts differently to the light. The white scales scattered through the design allow the foil to shine through at its brightest.

The card fan has little Koi fish heads peeping out from the corner. The fish change colours as the card fan tilts in the light. It is a really cool effect and should give a beautiful glow to cardistry flourishes.

The ace cards feature a blue Koi fish swimming through the central pip design. The surrounding water glitters in the light. The background Seigaiha pattern pushes holofoil to its most delicate boundaries.

The Kings show Japanese warriors in intricately patterned robes. They Queens are geishas with elaborate waxed Katsura wigs. The Jacks are young Kabuki actors with flowering water lilies.

The Joker cards depict a mirrored Koi fish design that reacts beautifully to the light. There are two jokers in this deck with varying colours. The delicate holofoil Japanese Seighaiha pattern across the white area of the card allows the colourful fish to take centre stage.

#playingcards #japan #holofoil #cardistry #koi by @squiddleink

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5 days ago

Today is the day!!! The AOI KOI Playing card Kickstarter launches at 18:00 GMT.

The Queens in this deck features a collection of beautiful Geishas wearing elaborate waxed Katsura wigs and patterned robes. They holofoil glints through the detailed pattern work to catch the light.

#playingcards #holofoil #Japan #geisha #cardistry by @squiddleink

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5 days ago

She's very shiny!!!

#playingcards #cardback #holofoil #koifish #japan by @squiddleink

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6 days ago

Four warrior Kings. AOI KOI coming to Kickstarter this Wednesday 14th October 18:00 GMT

Link to prelaunch page in bio. Sign up to get notified.

#playingcards #kings #samurai #koi #holofoil by @squiddleink

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7 days ago

Playing card fan glittering in holofoil detail. Excited to announce that the AOI KOI playing card Kickstarter will launch on Wed, October 14th 18:00 GMT.

There is a prelaunch page which can be accessed
through the link in my bio where you can sign up to get
notified on launch day.

#playingcards #cardistry #illustration #holofoil
#holographicfoil less by @squiddleink

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10 days ago

AOI KOI Playing cards coming to Kickstarter, October 14th at 18:00GMT

This deck takes us beneath the surface of Japanese Temple ponds, where shimmering blue Koi fish swim. I've put many hours into the design of this beautiful and unique deck of cards. I am excited to finally share it with you. Therecare some special add-ons included in this project. Please follow the KS to get notified on launch day to find out more.

Printed by the incredible Legends Playing Card Company. This deck features incredible holofoil details and Blue Core paper stock.

#playingcards #holofoil #japan #koi #illustration by @squiddleink

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13 days ago

AOI KOI Playing Cards, the new deck I have been working on at Squiddle Ink. Im immensely proud of this tuck box design. Each fin and fish scale has been meticulously designed to ensure the pattern wraps seamlessly around the tuck box and glitters with holofoil hightlights. Its so beautiful. This deck is scheduled for an October Kickstarter launch so please keep your eyes peeled as I will be announcing soon. If you'd like to get notified please sign up to the KS link in my bio.

#playingcards #holofoil #holographicfoil
#koi #koifish by @squiddleink

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15 days ago

My name is Stacey Jay Kelly. I am a playing card designer hailing from the UK North West. I graduated my Animation and Illustration course and took my first job researching/designing children's educational products. Over a decade ago I decided to quit my job as an infographics researcher at the BBC (difficult decision/wonderful job) and build my own design business from scratch... Squiddle Ink

In my first year (2014) I built my very first deck of playing cards and I ran my first successful playing card Kickstarter, tapping into one of the most incredible communities in the world. Playing card enthusiasts are a different breed.

Over the last decade I have built many decks of cards which have all been a great success, each one connecting me to more wonderful playing card aficionados.

Designing a themed deck of playing cards is an incredibly fulfilling process for me. It allows me to combine my love of research and my artistry to tell a story over 52 card faces. I have built working relationships with amazing printers such as Legends PCC and Cartamundi to create some really unique decks.

Early in my Squiddle Ink journey I became the resident designer for The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards. This is an ancient guild of playing card creators in the City of London. Each year we build a beautiful deck of commemorative cards that are sold to raise money for charity.

I have been selected as this years club deck designer for the @52plusjoker convention in Niagara Falls and I will be there to reveal the deck of playing cards that I have been working on over the past year. This is a huge honour and I am thrilled to have been given such a unique opportunity. I hope to see you there.

#playingcards #squiddleink #illustration
#52plusjoker
#52plusjokerconvention by @squiddleink

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16 days ago

Pushing holofoil to the most delicate boundaries with my next deck design... AOI KOI. Kickstarter launch date announcement coming soon I promise. I've been busy putting together a speciality extra edition for the upcoming campaign, I promise it will be worth the wait. Sign up by following the link in my bio and you will be notified when these luxurious cards launch.

#playingcards #holofoil #holographicfoil #koi #japaneseart by @squiddleink

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22 days ago

Join @squiddleink in Niagara Falls, NY Oct 21-25 where we unveil her 2026 Club Deck, and many more surprises. 🔥

Don’t miss the good times. Register now at 52PlusJoker.org. ✅

#playingcards #cardcollector #convention #staceyjaykelly taken in Niagara Falls, New York by @squiddleink

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a month ago