Natural History Museum announces arts and crafts collaboration with West Design Products
The Natural History Museum has announced its latest foray into the world of arts and crafts with an exquisitely curated collaboration with family-owned and industry-leading crafts manufacturer, West Design Products.
Launching 1 April 2025, the brand-new Natural History collection collaboration includes two ranges, inspired by some of the most striking iconography from its 80-million strong scientific archives and collections, including beautiful British birds, dazzling underwater creatures and boldly coloured beetles amongst an array of natural wildlife.
Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, said: “Our collaboration with West Design Products has been one of our most comprehensive licensing projects in the world of arts and crafts when it comes to our scientific collection. Here at the Museum, we aim to inspire a love for the natural world through all our work and being able to take these wonderful illustrations from our archives to create this beautiful rage, we’re certain arts lovers will come away with a newfound passion for our planet.”
West Design Products have worked closely with the Museum’s world-leading experts to create this new premium range of crafts materials, ensuring scientific accuracy in all its designs. Each collection will include three cross stitch kits and three embroidery kits, containing everything needed to create a stunning handstitched piece; three paint-by-numbers wall hanging kits to bring a touch of the natural world to your home; three hardback sketchbooks and a set of three softcover sketchbooks to let your imagination truly run wild; and one 8×8” and one 12×12” scrapbook.
Jo Bray, Managing Director – Sales and Marketing at West Design Products, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been entrusted to create this wonderful range of products in partnership with the Natural History Museum. Our team feels incredibly privileged to be able to work with such a rich and varied wealth of assets that are cared for by the Natural History Museum. Each collection was an absolute delight to work with and we’ve created what is sure to delight crafters and artists alike. A follow-up collection planned for the end of 2025 is sure to expand on the buzz this collection has already generated among our customers.”
Within the range, the British Birds collection perfectly encapsulates the variety and beauty of the feathered wonders right on our doorstep, from kingfishers, herons and blue tits to the perhaps lesser-known buntings and rock pipets. Meanwhile, the Beauty In Nature collection showcases some of the most vibrant displays of the natural world, including the striking colours of showy flamingos and tropical fish, as well as the unexpected beauty of beetles and deep sea wonders.
All products will be available through West Design Products’ online shop, as well as select UK-based retailers including John Lewis, Waterstones and Hobbycraft.
