Kathy Cantwell, Lip Balm Extrordinare

Cantwell teaches art in Peru for grades K-5 and when Plattsburgh State University needs her, she teaches 2D and 3D design. She has over 900 students and is attempting to teach them about a different world of art by exposing them to other cultures and artists using multimedia.

"They are encouraged to respond to the ideas and techniques with creativity and individuality," Cantwell explains.

At Plattsburgh State she exposes her college students to the same kind of things, but at a much "higher, more developed level." Though it's demanding teaching so many students, Cantwell considers it a privilege.

Cantwell graduated from Alfred University for ceramics and printmaking, and then went on to get her master's degree in painting, drawing, and sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1991.

Cantwell, as a hobby, took a class at the Purple Shutter Herb Shop in Burlington, Vermont two years ago and learned how to make lip balms. She wanted to start a business out of it with the New Land Trust, located in Saranac, New York. The New Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization devoted to ecological conservation, environmental education, and earth-based consciousness. They try to educate others on how to live environmentally soundly and even grow food in an organic garden.

The Food Co-op is located on Bridge St. in Plattsburgh

Since no one else really jumped at Cantwell's lip balm idea, she started making lip balms at her house, selling them to the Food Co-op in downtown Plattsburgh. Cantwell decided to keep the New Land Trust involved by donating at least 10 percent of profits to them for their operating expenses and taxes. Sales of Cantwell's lip balms took off and she found herself needing help to keep up with high demands for her new balms.

As a member of the New Land Trust, Cantwell has other members volunteer to help her. Volunteers make about 750 lip balms at their workshops every quarter. Cantwell is excited by her small idea and how it has brought a significant amount of cash.

"I just want to see all the dreams of the Land Trust come to life some day. I thought a community based business would really motivate people to come together with positive goals," Cantwell exclaims.

"I just want to see all the dreams of the Land Trust come to life some day. I thought a community-based business would really motivate people to come together with positive goals," Cantwell exclaims. Her small idea has brought several community members and volunteers from the New Land Trust even closer. It encourages them to come up with new ideas that are low cost, bring in good profit, and are still safe for the environment.

What started out as a small town product has become a widespread phenomenon. Cantwell has expanded her business and is selling her lip balms in 27 stores in the Adirondacks and Vermont. She also sells them as far away as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. According to Cantwell, this is the first full year they've sold over 3,000 lip balms. Though Cantwell is still processing exact numbers during tax season, she estimates her lip balms have brought in over $2,000 in profits.

Cantwell's lip balms, coined Sweet Dew, are different from the rest because they're organic. She also uses the community aspect as a selling point. She believes the price is reasonable (about $2 a stick) and has attractive packaging so it competes well with other lip balms. She markets them herself; however, New Land Trust members are constantly getting her name out there.

"There's no down side. It's a great product. I enjoy working with New Land Trust members and working with vendors that sell them. It feels good to provide a good product to people and to bring New Land Trust into people's awareness," Cantwell gleams.

"There's no down side. It's a great product. I enjoy working with New Land Trust members and working with vendors that sell them. It feels good to provide a good product to people and to bring New Land Trust into people's awareness," Cantwell gleams. Cantwell is constantly trying to get the word out about the New Land Trust and what they're trying to do. She believes if more people come together, they can make serious changes, one step at a time, toward a better environment and community.

Cantwell hopes to double business in the next year by researching possibilities for production, labeling, and displaying. Though she doesn't pay anyone to help her now, she may need to in the future if business continues to increase.

Cantwell loves teaching and doesn't depend on lip balms to support her. When she's not balancing teaching with making lip balms, she sculpting, painting, making puppets, reading, spending time with friends and enjoying the outdoors and music as much as possible.

Sweet Dew comes in several flavors: peppermint, orange clove, lemon, and cinnamon. The season really picks up around Christmas. The only slow selling period for the lip balms has been mud season. Claire Stockman says, "They make great stocking stuffers and I love them. People always need chap stick in the winter."

Claire Stockman says, "They make great stocking stuffers and I love them. People always need chap stick in the winter."