Cuttings will work you just have to treat them right.
What I did was:
Started these late April 2017. Planted in straight perlite with gravel on top to hold them up and in place. No direct sun for a month or two. Then only light morning sun for the rest of spring and summer. Fall I let them get sun until early afternoon.
One of the cuttings in January 2018. I had to chop some roots as they got crazy long.
This is where I planted them in January 2018. I wish I would have placed the cutting in individual pots to begin with. A well, lesson learned.
I lost only a couple due to my neglect between April and January. They spent most of 2017 in a large clear plastic tote. Holes drilled in the bottom to release water, water daily, let the top off for a couple minutes after watering for fresh air.
Cuttings do take a while to grow though. But it's fun. If you don't kill them you get some nice pre-bonsai in 10-15 years
Good luck next time!