General Rule of thumb: If you made it, you own it, and its likeness.

Copyright is by far one of the most important legal issues that artisans have to deal with because of the creative process and the need to protect the artisan. The best source of information related to business laws protecting artisans’ work is the U.S. Patent and Copyright Office.

http://www.copyright.gov/register/visual.html

This site explains how to register a visual art and other artistic expressions. Also visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for other useful information that may apply to your craft business.

http://www.uspto.gov

The best source of information related to business laws protecting consumers is the Federal Trade Commission

http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/business.htm

Note: For copyright purposes, visual arts are original pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, which include two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art.    

In almost every state in the United States there is a volunteer law association devoted to arts.

There are organizations that volunteer on a pro bono basis to artisans and their businesses.

http://www.talarts.org

Refer to Law in Plain English for Crafts by Leonard DuBoff.