I don’t know about you but I always have a lengthy list of craft projects. Currently, I have a backlog of kits from craft stores and online, dozens of pins on Pinterest with links to patterns and tutorials, requests for items from my kids and family, a wish list of home decor items, creative journaling pages, you name it.
So, when I finish one, there is no shortage of projects that are awaiting their turn. Now, how do I choose the next one? Despite my desire to only work on one project at a time, I think any crafter will understand how nearly impossible that is. Some projects will take months, while others may take a day or two. I typically have at least 2-3 projects going at once time but they will be from different crafting areas. For example, I will have one miniature build going at one time, one crochet project, one creative journaling page or bullet journal spread at a time. I have found that is my best compromise. I simply don’t think I would get thru nearly as many projects as I do otherwise.
“Well, if you focused your time and energy on one project, wouldn’t it get done faster?”
In theory, yes, this is correct. However, the issue is that for those projects that I KNOW will take longer, lets says a crochet blanket for example. I can work on this blanket for a few days, maybe even a few weeks before the tediousness sets in. I get bored doing the same crochet stitch or even set of stitches for hours on end, day after day. Then what happens? I can brute force my way thru it. This will lead to burn out and the chances of me picking up my hook will be minimal to non-existent for months. Alternatively, I start working on a different, smaller project, lets say an amigurumi for my kiddos. This one is smaller, the limbs and pieces come together a lot faster and it feels good to see the progress and I’m able to get one completed within a few days. The downside to this shift in focus is that once I get one amigurumi completed, then I get inspired to make a different one or my kids come to me and ask for another one. And before I know it, i’ve made 10 amigurumi and I have not gone back to work on the blanket.
So, my way of managing these competing demands is that I complete one type of project at a time. For example, I currently have miniature build going, one amigurumi project, one large crochet rug that I’m working on and then I’m currently working on organizing my paper crafting, bullet journal and junk journaling supplies. While it may take me a while longer to get some of these projects completed, I don’t get burnt out on the crafts. I enjoy doing all of them and I’m able to take a break while still being productive with my crafting obsessions.
How do you choose a new craft project? Do you stick to one at a time? Do you have multiple crafting areas that you work on? How you manage your time between multiple projects or multiple areas?