In the heart of Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter, tucked into a beautiful corner studio on the first floor of the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, you’ll find Imprints of Earth. This mother-daughter business, run by Bhaggie and her daughter Shakti, is known for creating stunning, small-batch ceramics that embody mindfulness, artistry, and personal healing.
Imprints of Earth was born after the loss of Bhaggie’s husband. Ceramics became a way for Bhaggie to reconnect with creativity, allowing her to rediscover joy and self-expression. Together with Shakti, the duo creates “mindfully made” pieces, infusing each one with intention and care. Their work blends precise craftsmanship with the natural, unpredictable results of smoke-firing, symbolising their journey of embracing life’s challenges and finding beauty in the unexpected.
Bhaggie’s craftsmanship has earned recognition, including winning the prestigious Hands On Bursary at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre in 2021. Their studio reflects this ethos, offering a space for creative exploration where visitors can see firsthand the processes involved in wheel-throwing, hand crafting, and pit-firing ceramics.
Their creations range from homewares to jewellery, each piece telling its own story of emotion, and resilience. The contrasting textures of their smoke-fired work alongside their spirited, glazed pieces represent the joy of creating art from raw emotion. Imprints of Earth’s work has gained national attention, even being featured in National Geographic earlier this year as part of their coverage of Manchester’s cultural hotspots.
If you find yourself in Manchester, be sure to visit Bhaggie and Shakti’s studio at the Craft and Design Centre to experience their art up close. And keep an eye out for our upcoming feature on Imprints of Earth in the Manchester edition of The Little Book of Local, available soon throughout the city.Â
Whether you’re a lover of ceramics or simply drawn to stories of creativity and resilience, Imprints of Earth offers an inspiring glimpse into the power of art to heal and transform.