Question: I want to have a jewelry open house to sell my work, but I don’t have a business license. Is this legal in the U.S.?
Answer: As to whether you need a business license to sell your jewelry at an open house – it depends on the laws where you live.
Every locality has its own regulations regarding a business license or permit for home businesses.
Where I live, I’m outside the city limits so according my local laws I’m not required to have a license for my jewelry business (yours may differ).
To find out what licensing your jewelry business is required to have, call your county or city clerk’s office, which should be listed in the government section of your phone book.
Describe to the clerk what you do and how you plan to sell your jewelry, and they can tell you exactly what you need to do.
If you do need a license, there is usually just a simple, one-page form to fill out and a small fee to pay.
For more info on jewelry business licenses, permits, etc., please see How to Start Your Jewelry Business.
