About

Denice & Jerry - 11/2009 (Photo by G. Miller)

Denice Paxton was born and raised in Southern California, where her artistic tendencies were encouraged by her family and friends. As an adult, Denice focused on her career working in software development for a large banking institution, while channeling her artistic talent into becoming a special effects makeup artist on the side.

After finding herself suddenly displaced from her job at the bank due to the economical downturn, Denice turned to her makeup skills. Working in the makeup field full time opened the floodgates to creativity, sparking a need to look for more ways to express what inspired her. Denice found beading to be a natural outlet, creating jewelry from beads and stones belonging to a dear friend who had passed away some years before. It was both cathartic and inspirational at once.

Denice made the decision to start working on floral fascinators for herself first, then realized that she could make well-constructed, unusual designs that appealed to her friends and coworkers as well. As the demand became greater, Denice decided to take the leap to make her pieces available to the public, thus Flourish Salon was borne.

Denice lives with her husband, Jerry, their dog, Pixel, and two cats, Roxy & Dexter, in Orange County, California. Denice continues her makeup career, as well as nurturing Flourish Salon to…flourish!