Vetter back with a new business after Rustic Corner closure

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

It’s only been a few weeks since the closing of The Rustic Corner, but owner Tami Vetter has already started a new business venture.

Last week Vetter announced the launch of Artful Affairs Collective, an event-planning business Vetter is running with long-time collaborator Robin Macomber.

The idea came about as Vetter and Macomber were thinking about ways to use both Vetter’s new surplus of time and space following the Rustic Corner’s closure.

“We were trying to come up with solutions on what to do with the empty space,” said Vetter. “We didn’t start talking about this until after the store closed.”

Easing into semi-retirement, the pair came up with a plan to combine Vetter’s businesses and organizational experience with Macomber’s artistic talent, starting a new side project that can keep them busy during the week and potentially generate some fun money for their vacations.

“We don’t want to work full time,” said Vetter. “We want to do the fun parts of what we’ve always been doing.”

Artful Affairs is an event planning operation that can take care of the logistics of arranging social gatherings from corporate parties to private get-togethers.

“Gather your friends and we’ll make you look like a star hostess,” said Vetter.

From arranging a venue to finding a caterer to handling the advertising and invitations, Vetter and Macomber said they have a library of contacts and resources available as they take care of the busywork around event planning.

“It’s really hard, as a business owner, to put all the pieces together,” said Vetter.

On the “artful” side of things, the duo also offers a wide range of creative activities to keep guests entertained. From knitting to painting to embroidery, Macomber can teach a variety of crafting skills to make for a unique and memorable event.

“There’s a whole renascence of people wanting to learn everything,” said Macomber. “We’re open to a lot, so you never know what we’re going to come up with.”

Artful Affairs will make its in-person debut this weekend during ChickFest, where downtown shoppers can stop into the former Rustic Corner building and partake in their “hat bar.” With a selection of decals, patches, pins and chains to choose from, people can make their own customized hats.

“A person can take a plain old baseball cap and turn it into a one-of-a-kind item,” said Vetter.