31 Days - Day 18: Assembly Line or Item by Item

Assembly Line or Item by Item - that is the question. I don't know that I really have a clear answer for this question about how to make your items for the craft show, but I do want to at least present to you the pros and cons to both, so you can decide. Possibly, you may be a little like me and do a little of each. Some of the crafts necessitate doing it item by item, while others, you may save time by doing it assembly line.

Assembly Line

Ok - so maybe your house doesn't look this bad, but I know that when I am trying to get a bunch of the same items done, it does feel like it.

Pros:

Save time by having one step going at a time.
Conserve materials - often you can plan out better by doing all the cutting at the same time.
Faster - You don't have to stop to go to a new step over and over.
More efficient - you can get into a pattern while assembling.

Cons:

Backlog can be frustrating - I find if I have one step I don't care to do as much, I may be reluctant to get it finished, and therefore backlog.
Squelches Creativity - I find if I can't see a project to the end sometimes, I have a problem with a lack of creativity.
Boredom - I struggle with this when making the same thing over and over, I get bored easily and want to work on the next project.

Item by Item

Pros:

Creativity grows - sometimes even if you are seeking to make items the same, you may personalize them a little more by making each one from start to finish.
Personalized Items - items can turn out more personalized if done individually.
Keeps Interest - you're not as easily bored this way.

Cons:

Time Consuming - it can be more time consuming to do different steps separately.
Less Efficient - you may have to take out new materials for each step and then clean them up (of course depending on your craft.)
Easy Distractions - this is one of my biggest downfalls! I get so easily distracted when I go start another part of a craft.

I'm sure there are more that I missed. Maybe you know some from experience. I'd love to hear them all.

For a complete list of the 31 Day Until A Craft Show series and links to each post go Here to Day 31.

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