selling patterns - aim for a book, or etsy shop?

[gussiegrips]

So, I've got a bunch of cross stitch designs - all kind of modern/vaguely amusing/borderline rude stuff - that I've made up over the years.

I do a lot of craft, so, the patterns are more advanced than the annoyingly hugely successful "subversive cross stitch" - which is just a sweary word with a simple border.

Anyone written a craft book got some advice? Or, should I be more realistic and aim to set up an etsy shop first? especially seeing as how most of them are still scribbled on scraps of paper and not in the programme generator as yet

TIA

Could you do both? Start with an Etsy shop but hold back a few of your designs for a book. You might then find it easier to get a publishing deal because you can demonstrate that there's demand for your patterns, plus if you've gathered a few fans, that might help with book sales.

(Should mention that I have no experience of any of this myself - just spouting ideas!)

Ooooh, that's a good idea, thanks, Coco!

Am chuffed, have got another six written up tonight. Smashing. Some of them are lovely, some of them are not something I'd want my mum to see. Ach, she disnae use etsy!

I discovered weelittlestitches, danceneedle and satsumastreet on Pinterest and have bought patterns off the etsy site. I'd never buy a book of cross stitch but would purchase patterns on etsy. PM me when you've set it up so I can have a browse. :)

Thanks for the names, Hector - I'm a knitting geek and have bought a bunch of stuff off etsy and ravelry, but amn't overly familiar with all the independent cross stitch designers...oooh, I can anticpate many, many happy hours of "research" on pinterest...

I'd go with etsy first too. It's easy to set up a shop selling downloads so you could test the waters. I've just sold my first digital print and have been v happy with how it all worked. Also if you follow the main magazines on Pinterest and twitter you can show off your patterns and try to get featured.