Local artist Nevia Ortiz starts with ordinary items like cardstock, crepe paper, fabric, maps and more and turns them into gorgeous faux florals that remain keepsakes forever. Ortiz, who is self taught, has been making paper petals for three years through her company NeviNinaYCreations. She has created wedding backdrops, floral portraits, bouquets and boutonnieres, giant standing flowers and centerpieces.
Ortiz has folded and cut enough paper to produce an 8-by-8-foot backdrop for VA Fashion Week, and you can also find her work at All the Rage in Virginia Beach. Most recently Ortiz filled a custom order for a design for the baby nursery of Jamie Otis and Douglas Hehner from the reality show "Married at First Sight." Ortiz will craft several pieces for their daughter Henley's first birthday party, which will be featured in People Magazine.
Ortiz says she always open to new and challenging ideas.
"I put a lot of myself into each custom bloom," she says. "I love what I do, and creating custom pieces is what I love the most because of its significance. I work hard at trying to bring my customers' visions to life."
For more information email Ortiz at NeviNinaYCreations@gmail.com or check out more of her work at Facebook.com/NeviNinaYCreations.
Melissa M. Stewart
Melissa M. Stewart was the former editor of Savor Virginia and Coastal Virginia Magazine. After she got her first story published in the second-grade school newsletter, she has since been an avid writer and word nerd for 20 years. She has served as production editor for AmeriForce Media and marketing communications manager for Volvo Penta. When she is not working, Melissa spends her time in Virginia Beach keeping up with her two spunky daughters, planning beach days, creating craft cocktails with garden ingredients and running to make up for all the wonderful food she discovers around Virginia.
