private void craftItem(Item item) {

        // get required resources and quantities from item
        RequiredItem[] requiredResources = item.getRequiredResources();

        // check to see if required resources are available
        boolean adequateResources = InventoryControl.checkAvailableResources(requiredResources);

        // IF required resources are available
        if (adequateResources) {
            double actualQuantity = item.getActualQuantity();
            actualQuantity++;
            item.setActualQuantity(actualQuantity);

            // craft item AND print "item has been crafted"
            JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "You have crafted a(n) " + item.getName() + ".");
        } // ELSE resources are not available
        // print "you don't have the required resources"
        else {
            if (item.getName() != "Flint and Stone") {
                JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "You do not have the required resources."
                        + "\nTo craft a(n) "
                        + item.getName()
                        + " , you need the following"
                        + "\namounts of the listed resources:"
                        + "\n  ->Item: "
                        + item.getRequiredResources()[0].getInventoryItem().getName()
                        + "  Quantity: " + item.getRequiredResources()[0].getRequiredAmount()
                        + "\n  ->Item: " + item.getRequiredResources()[1].getInventoryItem().getName()
                        + "  Quantity: " + item.getRequiredResources()[1].getRequiredAmount()
                        + "\n  ->Item: " + item.getRequiredResources()[2].getInventoryItem().getName()
                        + "  Quantity: " + item.getRequiredResources()[2].getRequiredAmount());
            } else if (item.getName() == "Flint and Stone") {
                JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "You do not have the required resources."
                        + "\nTo craft a(n) "
                        + item.getName()
                        + " , you need the following"
                        + "\namounts of the listed resources:"
                        + "\n  ->Item: "
                        + item.getRequiredResources()[0].getInventoryItem().getName()
                        + "  Quantity: " + item.getRequiredResources()[0].getRequiredAmount()
                        + "\n  ->Item: " + item.getRequiredResources()[1].getInventoryItem().getName()
                        + "  Quantity: " + item.getRequiredResources()[1].getRequiredAmount());
            }
        }
    }