‘It’s therapeutic’: St. George woman creates business through intricate polymer clay designs

Written by Jessi Bang
April 20, 2023

ST. GEORGE — From intricate gingerbread houses to turtles with a girly flair, one artist is creating everything from home decor to ornaments. But their size might surprise you. 

Karsen Bliss, the owner of Meadow Pond Creations, takes a photo next to her artisan designs in St. George, Utah, April 10, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Karsen Bliss, the owner of Meadow Pond Creations, takes a photo next to her artisan designs in St. George, Utah, April 10, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Karsen Bliss, the owner of Meadow Pond Creations, said at age 10, she began to assist her mom with her jewelry business by creating art pieces out of polymer clay. 

“I would help her roll out the clay and stamp it for her and she’d paint it and stain it,” Bliss said. “And from there, I started doing my own thing.”

At a young age, she began to make food for her Barbie dolls along with dogs and other animals. Unlike most flat polymer clay art, Bliss said she focuses on unique 3D creations.

In 2017, at age 18, she made her first Etsy shop. As she prepared to attend college, she thought of the business as a fun side project. It wasn’t until 2020, after her son turned 1, that she decided to go all-in on her business. 

Mushroom houses made from polymer clay by Meadow Pond Creations sit on a shelf in St. George, Utah, April 10, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Mushroom houses made from polymer clay by Meadow Pond Creations sit on a shelf in St. George, Utah, April 10, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

“So I started at 10 and I’m almost 24, so it just kind of progressed into this,” she said about Meadow Pond Creations. “It’s so much fun. And I’ve done it for so long, it’s just normal.”

As the business continued to grow, she took her polymer clay art to local markets, adding the St. George Downtown Market to her list last month.

“It makes me feel good because everyone just pours in,” Bliss said about her market booth. “Even if they don’t buy, they’re just in awe of how gorgeous they are, and it just makes me feel good.”

Bliss originally is from Florida, so some of her favorite creations are sea turtles with a “pretty flair to them,” which usually includes full flower bouquets on the turtle’s shell. The turtles are often worn as necklace pendants.

Turtle pendants by Meadow Pond Creations are on display in St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo by Karsen Bliss, St. George News
Turtle pendants by Meadow Pond Creations are on display in St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo by Karsen Bliss, St. George News

At Christmas time, she began to make intricate gingerbread houses, which she said are generally used as indoor decor pieces or placed in fairy gardens and shadowboxes. She also creates barrettes, earrings, ornaments and more. The polymer clay art is lightweight, which makes her products, such as earrings, easy to wear.

Along with art that comes from her own mind, she’s also available to create custom pieces. Commissioned items she’s completed in the past include an ornament figurine of Jesus kissing a baby, which was created for a friend who had experienced miscarriages. She also makes wedding cake and bouquet replica pieces that allow for ornaments that can be cherished for a lifetime.

As a wife and mother of a 1-year-old and almost 4-year-old, Bliss said she keeps busy and enjoys spending her free time creating.

“That’s one of the reasons I still do it is because it’s very therapeutic,” she said. “It’s my destresser from – I love my kids, don’t get me wrong – but it’s that time I get to unwind.”

Barrettes and houses made from polymer clay sit on a shelf in St. George, Utah, April 10, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Barrettes and houses made from polymer clay sit on a shelf in St. George, Utah, April 10, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Bliss said the best part about owning her own business has been the ability to do everything at her own time and pace. For other entrepreneurs who are afraid to take the leap into business ownership with their own talents, she said finding what you love to do naturally makes you more passionate about the business and what you create, which ultimately shines through.

For more information on Meadow Pond Creations, visit them on Instagram and Facebook. Shop Meadow Pond Creations via their online Etsy shop or find them at the St. George Downtown Farmers Market on Saturdays.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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