Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine?

Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine is an independent alternative cross stitch publication operated by Bone & Briar Holdings.

The magazine focuses on spooky, gothic, witchy, dark humor, cute creepy, alternative, tattoo-inspired, emotional, whimsical, and creatively unconventional cross stitch artwork from both independent contributors and in-house creators.

Our goal is to spotlight artists, celebrate creativity, and create a magazine that feels different from traditional cross stitch publications.

 

Is Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine digital or physical?

Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine is primarily a digital publication.

However, we may periodically release:

• Printed special editions
• Collector booklet editions
• Physical archive compilations
• Limited-run printed releases
• Seasonal physical issues

Physical offerings may vary depending on production schedules and availability.

 

How often is the magazine released?

Release schedules may vary during the magazine’s early growth period.

As the publication expands, additional seasonal issues, themed editions, special releases, and collector projects may also be introduced.

 

What kind of artwork do you accept?

We welcome a wide range of alternative and spooky-inspired artwork including:

• Witchy themes
• Gothic artwork
• Cute creepy designs
• Traditional Halloween aesthetics
• Dark humor
• Tattoo-inspired styles
• Moody botanicals
• Fantasy horror
• Cozy spooky artwork
• Cryptids and folklore
• Soft gothic aesthetics
• Emotional or melancholic themes
• Halloween and harvest themes

Not every piece needs to be dark horror. We intentionally welcome both playful and dramatic styles.

You can read more about our Artist Submission rules by visiting this page: Artist Submission Policy

 

Questions for Stitchers & Customers

What comes with a magazine issue?

Contents may vary by release, but issues may include:

• Cross stitch patterns
• Artist spotlights
• Interviews
• Tutorials
• Themed collections
• Community features
• Seasonal content
• Bonus downloads
• Promotional extras
• Contributor information and shop links

 

Are the patterns compatible with Pattern Keeper?

Yes. All contributor submissions are required to provide a compatible version suitable for use with Pattern Keeper whenever reasonably possible.

 

Can I print the patterns?

Yes. Purchased magazine issues and downloads may generally be printed for personal use.

However:

• Redistribution is prohibited
• Uploading files publicly is prohibited
• Sharing PDFs with others is prohibited
• Commercial redistribution is prohibited

 

Can I sell finished stitched items?

This depends on whether the design is a Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine “House Design” or a Contributor Design.

 

House Designs

Unless otherwise stated, limited handmade finished stitched pieces based on official house designs may generally be sold.

 

Contributor Designs

Contributor-owned patterns remain the intellectual property of their respective artists.

You must obtain permission directly from the contributor before selling finished stitched works based on contributor-owned patterns unless the artist has explicitly stated otherwise.

 

What is a “House Design”?

A House Design refers to artwork or patterns created directly by Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine or Bone & Briar Holdings.

Contributor Designs are owned by independent artists featured within the magazine.

 

Do you offer refunds?

Digital product sales are generally final due to the nature of downloadable content.

Physical products are also generally non-refundable.

However, damaged physical products may qualify for replacement copies where appropriate.

Please review our Refund Policy and Product Policies for full details.

 

Do you ship physical products internationally?

No. Physical product shipping is currently limited to the United States.

 

Will old issues remain available?

Most likely, yes.

Past issues may continue being sold through:

• Digital archives
• Back issue libraries
• Subscriber archives
• Future compilations
• Printed collector editions
• Physical booklet releases

Availability may vary over time.

 

Can I share pattern previews online?

Limited previews, completed stitched works, and review-style imagery are generally acceptable.

However, users may not upload:

• Full charts
• Complete PDFs
• Subscriber-exclusive downloads
• Full magazine spreads

 

Why are some patterns more detailed than others?

Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine intentionally welcomes:

• Beginner-friendly patterns
• Small quick stitches
• Minimalist charts
• Large detailed works
• Advanced technical charting

We value variety and artistic expression across many experience levels.

 

Questions for Contributors & Designers

I’m brand new. Can I still submit?

Absolutely.

You do not need a large following or publication history to submit your work.

Chaos Cross Stitch Magazine was intentionally created to help showcase emerging artists alongside established creators.

 

Do I keep the copyright to my work?

Yes.

Contributors retain ownership of their original patterns and artwork unless separate written agreements explicitly state otherwise.

We do not take ownership of contributor-created designs through the standard submission process.

 

What rights am I giving the magazine?

Accepted contributors grant publication, promotional, archive, and distribution rights associated with the issue containing their work.

This includes:

• Digital publication
• Future archive availability
• Promotional use
• Printed editions
• Future collector or booklet compilations

Your underlying copyright ownership remains intact.

 

Will my work stay in old issues forever?

Potentially, yes.

Past issues may remain available in:

• Digital archives
• Printed reprints
• Historical collections
• Collector editions
• Future compilations

This is part of the publication rights granted during acceptance.

 

How much do contributors get paid?

During our first year, accepted contributors currently receive:

• $20 USD compensation per accepted featured submission

As a new independent publication, this represents our starting-stage compensation structure and is expected to grow over time.

 

What do featured artists receive besides compensation?

Accepted contributors may receive:

• A dedicated two-page spread
• Artist spotlight coverage
• Shop and social media links
• Creator interviews
• Promotional exposure
• Contributor credits
• Potential cover consideration
• A free copy of magazine they are in

 

Can I appear under a business name or online handle?

Yes.

Contributors may appear under:

• Real names
• Business names
• Artist aliases
• Social media handles

 

Do I need a website or social media?

Yes.

Contributors must maintain:

• At least one active social media account, you do NOT have to be popular
• Some form of online storefront, portfolio, or creator presence

This allows readers to discover and support featured artists.

 

Do you accept AI-generated patterns?

No.

We do not accept patterns created primarily through AI image generation and automatically converted into charts with minimal artistic refinement.

 

Are AI mockups allowed?

Yes.

AI-assisted mockups and promotional imagery are allowed when used as presentation tools for original artwork and patterns.

We understand many independent artists may not have access to professional stitched photography resources.

 

What kinds of patterns do you reject?

We may reject:

• Excessively automated chart conversions
• Low-effort image conversions
• Excessive confetti-heavy charts
• Poorly cleaned pattern exports
• Illegible charts
• Hand-drawn charts
• Copyright-infringing works
• Unreadable symbol layouts
• Incomplete submission files

 

What file format do you require?

We strongly prefer professionally charted files created using software such as WinStitch or comparable charting programs.

Submissions should include:

• Clean chart exports
• Floss usage charts
• Readable symbol keys
• Pattern Keeper-compatible files
• Clear backstitching instructions where necessary

 

Can profanity or mature themes appear in submissions?

Yes, within reason.

We allow:

• Limited profanity
• Dark humor
• Mature themes
• Artistic nudity

However:

• Explicit sexual content is prohibited
• Anatomical below-the-waist nudity is prohibited
• Certain content may not appear on covers or promotional materials

 

How long does the review process take?

Review times may vary depending on:

• Editorial schedules
• Seasonal planning
• Submission volume
• Upcoming issue themes

A delayed response does not necessarily mean rejection. Some accepted works may be scheduled for future issues.