Generally clip art is sold in books, CD-ROM bundles, or from websites, and is often offered as “copyright-free.” The term “copyright-free” is usually a misnomer that actually refers to either royalty-free artwork or work in the public domain. Keep in mind that much of the artwork advertised as copyright-free is actually royalty-free artwork, which is protected by copyright. Your rights and limitations to use such artwork are expressed in the artwork packaging or in the shrink-wrap agreement or license that accompanies the artwork. If the artwork is in the public domain, you are free to copy items without restriction. However, even if the artwork is in the public domain, the complete collection may not be reproduced and sold as a clip art collection because that may infringe the unique manner in which the art is collected (known as a compilation or collective work copyright). – See more about Copyrights at: http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/public-domain/welcome/
So you have to be careful with what you use in your works of art. You do not want to infringe on someone else’s rights. The best thing to do is to create your own artwork, then there will be no doubt at all if it is OK to use the artwork in your craft projects. But you can be pretty creative with public domain works. I use Betty Boop’s public domain pictures for my Betty Boop clocks. And Betty inspired me to create a new character I call Patty Poop, she is Betty’s raunchy cousin.
Patty Poop never got the big break in cartoons like Betty did, so she ended up going down a sleazier path, actually she is a slut. Her slogan is Poop-Poo-A-Doo-Doo. Unlike Betty’s Boop-Oop-A-Doop the film industry did not think she was suitable for the general public. I started working with Patty Poop many years ago. Now I feel it is time to bring her to life, so I will be making signs and clocks with her on them soon. Stay Tuned!