By day, Wynter Johnson and Kim Mason work for SunTrust Bank and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy respectively.

But their weekends – and hearts – belong to Pitty Pat’s, the new arts and crafts boutique the pair opened in Chuckatuck last month.

The shop at 118 Kings High Highway, in the heart of the northern Suffolk village, showcases the crafts of nearly 20 local artists.

Pitty Pat’s – so named for a favorite character from &uot;Gone With the Wind – will be welcoming more vendors as the holiday season approaches, said Mason, an art teacher at N-SA.

&uot;Suffolk has needed a place like this for so long,&uot; Mason said. &uot;There is so much talent in this area. People are still coming in with their artwork&uot;

The pair is looking for unusual handcrafted items – things that aren’t sold in other arts

boutiques or retail outlets, Johnson added. Most items are sold on consignment.

&uot;We have an eye for the unique,&uot; she said. &uot;We want to carry things you won’t find anywhere else.&uot;

Pitty Pat’s already carries a plethora of items: purses crafted from beads and wooden cigar boxes, hand-thrown pottery, sculpture,

a locally-written cookbook, beaded jewelry and watches,

tile art, wooden toys, hand-knitted scarves..

Customers can also buy baskets designed for special events, Johnson said.

For example, someone needing a baby gift may get a decorated basket that includes a stuffed teddy bear, a wooden rattle and a knitted baby’s cap-and-mitten set. The shop also sells its Southern Hospitality basket, which includes the cookbook, hand-embossed napkins and other items.

Although Pitty Pat’s is a weekend business for Mason and Johnson, the shop’s hours will be extended closer to Christmas. Its current hours are from 10 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Aside from being the village’s newest business, Pitty Pat’s appears to becoming a little social spot for regulars and passersby alike.

&uot;A lot of people poke their heads in every weekend to see if we have anything new and chat for a few minutes,&uot; Mason said. &uot;It’s great,…people have just been wonderful to us.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com