Show Review of the Month Custer’s Christmas Arts & Crafts Show samanthah@fergpress.com
Custer’s Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Location: Spokane, WA
Dates: Nov. 21-23, 2025
Contact: Jim Custer Enterprises, Inc.
Website: custershows.com
Email: info@custershows.com
Phone: 509-924-0588
Venue: 100% indoors
Space fees: $350 to $465
Exhibitors: 250
Attendance estimate: 11,350
Photos courtesy of Cheryl Custer-Branz
COMPILED FROM FASTAUDIT REVIEWS
Custer’s Christmas Arts & Crafts Show features more than 250 artisans from across the northwest part of the country. Ninety-six percent of the artists who reviewed the 2025 show said they would exhibit in it again.
“It was very well organized and curated. Cheryl and Clint do an amazing job of supporting all the vendors. The communication is top notch! It's an amazing event, and I can't wait to do it next year!” said a mixed-media artist who reported $3,000 in sales.
A fiber/textile/leather artist who made about $3,100 would return. “Cheryl and Clint do an amazing job curating this show. The venue is well organized, clean, and safe. While they strive to provide artist amenities, I found it difficult to participate as a lone vendor with no one to watch my booth to sneak out for a meal,” the artist said.
A mixed-media artist who had $3,500 in sales said, “It's a really great show with amazing people in charge. The atmosphere created for this event is one I look forward to returning to, and I love the other vendors in attendance. Very supportive people.”
Sales totaled $3,240 for a wood artist who has done the show for six years and has a good spot. “The sales for the Christmas show are enough to make it worth the trouble, about two/thirds normal for other three-day shows,” the artist said. This artist suggested the event include live music and kid-friendly events.
Great advertising and being checked on often by staff are why a ceramicist would return. The artist’s sales totaled $3,498.
An artist whose medium is painting made $2,000 and would do the show again due to attendance. The artist noted there are no amenities for artists but said that is OK.
A metal artist who had $1,855 in sales said, “It’s a great show, so I will continue to participate.” This artist wished load-in was either earlier in the day, or there was a two-day setup period. “It's hard to get well rested for Friday morning when you are frazzled trying to get everything done the night before,” the artist said. This artist also said it would be helpful to have a vendor-only cart going around regularly with sandwiches and beverages for sale from a nearby deli or similar place at reasonable prices. “It's really difficult to get away to go to the bathroom, let alone a meal/drink,” the artist said.
An artist whose medium is painting reported $2,500 in sales and said, “I specialize in Christmas ornaments —many originals. I have been in this show for 43 years + and exhibited at many others. I much prefer the professionalism exhibited here for the vendor and the customers. I couldn't be happier. Well juried.”
A fiber/textile/leather artist who had $4,000 in sales said it was a “great show all around!”
A jewelry artist described it as clean, well-managed show with friendly people. “I look forward to participating in this show every year,” said this artist whose sales totaled $1,700.
It was one of the best shows for a fiber/textile/leather artist who made $900, which is why that artist would exhibit there again.
A fiber/textile/leather artist whose sales totaled $7,100 said, “Best craft show I do all year!”
A wood artist who reported $3,000 in sales would return due to the venue and good people to work with at the show.
Sales totaled $3,200 for a fiber/textile/leather artist who would participate again. The artist loves the promoters and described it as the “best juried art show in Spokane.”
An artist whose mediums are wood and fiber/textile/leather said it was an excellent show and quality experience by Custer Enterprises. This artist made $4,715.
Sales totaled $2,000 for a fiber/textile/leather artist who said the show was organized. “I would love to have the option to have a taco bar for two days in a row versus just one,” the artist said.
A mixed-media artist who made $10,000 would return, saying it was excellent — a true arts and crafts show.
Also interested in participating again is a fine craft artist who described it as a well-run and well-attended show that customers return to year after year. This artist’s sales totaled $4,000.
A fiber/textile/leather artist who made $7,000 also agreed that it was a well-run and -attended show.
A jewelry artist who had $6,050 in sales said, “This is typically one of my highest sales shows each year. The organizers do a great job and are easy to work with.”
A fiber/textile/leather artist who reported $3,700 in sales would return because it is “one of the best shows of the year for me. The organizers are very kind, organized, and attentive.”
Another fiber/textile/leather artist would also do the show again, saying, “It was a good community show with lots of repeat customers.” This artist made about $3,500.
Cheryl Custer-Branz said they are grateful for the artists and crafters who make Custer’s Christmas Arts & Crafts Show a continued success and for the generations of families who attend the show and shop as one of their annual Christmas traditions.
Gate receipts showed attendance was 11,350. “We were up over 400 people in attendance this year compared to last year, even after having to raise the admission fee from $8, which it had been since 2021, to $9 due to the skyrocketing costs of every aspect of our business. We are thrilled to finally be back to pre-pandemic attendance numbers,” she said. “We take great pride in the fact that we don't charge a ticketing fee. We offer a $1 off coupon if tickets are bought in advance, and our parking is free. We know how to get the buying crowds in the door!”
What Artists Said
Custer-Branz said the participating artists and crafters appreciate the longevity of their shows and the consistent high quality and attention to details in how they run them. “We tend to hear a lot of positive comments about the variety of art and crafts in our show in all mediums and at all price levels,” she said. “Many participants shared with us that they had their best show ever in regard to sales, and some even sold out because their work is in such high demand.”
What the Promoter Learned
She said the talk of 2025’s show was how they will celebrate their 50th anniversary at the next show. “As the second-generation owner (along with my husband, Clint), I can assure you that my parents never dreamed that the show they started all those years ago would be just as popular today as it was back then! They are looking forward to being able to celebrate with us,” Custer-Branz said.
Their Best Improvement
Their selfie backdrop was so festive and popular at 2025’s show that there was a line for customers to take photos in front of it. “Signage besides it encouraged everyone to tag us on Instagram with their photos, which created another level of on-site marketing,” she said.
Custer-Branz said, “For the artists, we offer a no-host catered taco salad bar as a dinner option on the opening night of our show, so that they don't have to wait in concession lines. New this year, concessions placed QR code menu posters throughout the venue, and everyone could order directly from the QR code link and simply pick up their food when it was ready, which was also a timesaver.”
Her message to those considering this show is, “We understand that participating in professional shows like ours is not only a financial investment but a time investment as well. Not all shows are created equal and our tagline, ‘Not just a show ... a Custer show!’ highlights that very fact. We work hard to make our shows worth your time and effort with clear communications, easy move-in/out access, and two owners who are on the show floor throughout the weekend and know everyone by name.”
