Awesome Art Of Play

These magnificent playing cards from Art of Play and designed by Dan and Dave feature patterns inspired by traditional Japanese woodworking. Intricate Yosegi marquetry designs appear across each card back, the face cards and the eye-catching blue and beige letterpress tuck box. Also available as an uncut sheet, suitable for framing.

This artfully-illustrated deck of playing cards from Art of Play pays tribute to the work of prolific 20th-century artist Alexander Calder. The designs are inspired by the artist’s colorful paintings from the latter part of his career, including his lighthearted Card Players series. Each letter and number is derived from Calder’s handwriting.

Art of Play’s fanciful playing cards celebrate a classic sideshow pastime – the flea circus. The miniature cards feature illustrations by artist Jeff Trish, with 54 fleas showing off their unique talents under a pint-sized big top. Acts include a snake charmer flea, a cannonball flea, and a light bulb-eating flea. The teensy cards measure 2.75″ x 1.75″.

This two-piece metal planet puzzle from Hanayama is more challenging than it looks. Designer Masui Ohno created this brainteaser that asks you to solve what should be a simple problem: release the silver planet from inside of its golden ring by twisting, turning, and pushing its bumpy surface through the jagged inner ring. Measures appx 2″ across.

Two of our favorite shops, Craighill and Art of Play have teamed up to create this perplexing puzzle. Its unique design allows it to be solved in two different ways. Option 1: arrange the eight aluminum pieces to fit inside a clear acrylic cube and set it on its stand. Option 2: fit the same pieces inside the cube, but this time, fit the stand in there as well.