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What "art" I can legally sell on the streets in NYC?

• Hi! Today was the first day I sold art on the street in New York City. I went with a friend who has sold paintings for years, and two of her friends who were also selling for the first time. We have the proper tax form and all, and can legally sell art without a vendor permit. My friend had her paintings, her two friends had handmade beaded jewelry, and I had unique pins in the shapes of fish and hearts that I sculpted then cast in plastic and painted bright colors. Things were fine for a couple of hours, then an official of some sort informed us that jewelry is not covered in the law that allows artists to sell on the street without a permit. We had no idea that this was not "art" so we packed up and left. The thing is he only pointed to the others' jewelry when he said it had to go. He said the paintings and other stuff were ok. I didn't get a chance to ask if my stuff was "art" or not, but he may not have noticed they were pins. I've been researching all night and finding that others have had this issue, and that it is well known that the definition of "art" is gray to NYC. I'd love to hear some firsthand stories of what people have been able to get away with as "art", especially things similar to my pins. Is it okay if they're just little sculptures and not functional pins? I want to keep selling art on the street, but I'm a sculptor not a painter, and don't want to get arrested next time! Thanks!

• Answer:

  Mount them on ATC that you have painted yourself. Then sell the cards as miniature paintings. (they will be actually buying the pins and get a bonus ATC.) I make pins and pendants out of glass and brass.