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Featuring Local Makers
Mollie Burns Keith of the Prospector Theatre & Silvermine’s Gemstone Farm
When Mollie Burns Keith and her family put down roots in Silvermine in 2023, they weren’t just finding a home, they were stepping into a community that reflects the values they hold closest: creativity, inclusion, and connection. A gemologist and jewelry appraiser with an international career spanning Christie’s and private collections around the world, Mollie now brings that same appreciation for craftsmanship and story to her work with Gemstone Farm and the Prospector Theatre, both deeply woven into the local community. We connected with Mollie to talk about her journey, her work, and why these local organizations mean so much to her family.
Save the Date: Gemstone will be hosting a Maple Sugaring Open House on Saturday, March 21, 10am-1pm. Stop by to learn about the process of maple sugaring from Gems (the Gemstone employees). There will be maple syrup tasting, sugaring demonstrations, music, food, and more.
Q&A with Mollie
Q: You and your family moved to Silvermine in 2023. What drew you to this area, and how has settling into the Silvermine community been for you so far?
We moved from Los Angeles in the summer of 2023 as we blended our families. After ten years of long-distance dating, my husband, Jesse Johnson, and I married in February 2022. He grew up in Wilton, and we decided to put down roots there, buying our forever home in Silvermine for a fresh start. We absolutely love the area and the sense of community. Three of our four children have attended Wilton High School, which has made the transition feel especially grounding and rewarding.
Q: As a gemologist and jewelry appraiser specializing in antique and estate jewelry, what do you find most fascinating about the stories behind these pieces, and what surprises people most when they learn about your work?
My French boss was, understandably, horrified—and then spent the next year proving me wrong. He taught me that fine jewelry is not only about the extraordinary craftsmanship of the artisan who cuts a gemstone and creates wearable art, but also about the natural science behind how those gemstones are formed. I was completely converted.
Right out of college, I became a gemologist and went on to work for Christie’s in Hong Kong, London, New York, and Los Angeles. Later, when I became a mother, I shifted direction but stayed rooted in jewelry. For more than twenty years in Los Angeles, I consulted for auction houses, appraised private collections, and independently bought and sold high jewelry.
One of the most meaningful parts of my work is sitting with families after a loved one has passed and helping them go through a collection. Jewelry is deeply sentimental, and through these pieces—what someone collected and where they traveled—you can often form a vivid picture of who they were. Hearing those stories is the part of the job I love most.
Q: You serve on the advisory board of the Prospector Theatre and are closely connected to the Gemstone Farm here in Silvermine. Can you share what makes this organization so special and why its mission resonates so deeply with you and your family?
The Prospector Theatre and the Gemstone Farm are incredibly special to us because they are rooted in the belief that everyone deserves meaningful work, dignity, and a strong sense of belonging. Their mission—to provide employment, training, and community for individuals with disabilities—is not only impactful, but deeply human. There is so much joy, pride, and purpose woven into everything they do, and it’s impossible not to feel that when you walk through the doors or spend time on the farm.
As a family, we’re drawn to organizations that lead with kindness while setting high standards and real expectations. The Prospector community does exactly that—it celebrates ability, fosters independence, and creates genuine connection. Being involved has reinforced for us how powerful inclusive spaces can be, and it’s an honor to support work that so clearly changes lives, one person at a time.
Q: The Gemstone Farm and Prospector Theatre provide meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, including your oldest child. How has being part of this community shaped your perspective on inclusion, purpose, and work?
Nearly 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed—a statistic many parents learn early in their journey. Our oldest child has autism and an intellectual disability, but he is also a gifted animator with over 25,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. After we moved from Los Angeles, he joined the Prospector Theatre’s development department, where his talents are truly valued.
One of my favorite examples of Prospector’s innovative approach is that they don’t run national ads before films. Instead, advertisers support the creation of original content made in-house. This not only highlights creativity, but—most importantly—creates jobs, which is at the very heart of their mission. Prospector and the Gemstone Farm are joyful places that recognize and cultivate the “sparkle” so many people in this community possess.
Meaningful work is essential to overall health—physical, emotional, financial, social, and even spiritual. With employment comes purpose, pride, and belonging. Through their work, employees at Prospector and Gemstone enjoy a higher quality of life: they pay rent, buy groceries, go out to dinner with friends, pay taxes, and contribute in real and lasting ways to their communities.
Q: With exciting expansions like gourmet popcorn at Prospector, what’s ahead that you’re most excited for, and how can Silvermine residents support or get involved with these initiatives?
The Prospector's new Gourmet Popcorn Factory is nearing completion and will be operating by February! The Popcorn program has expanded greatly over the last year as they've received interest from grocery stores, retail markets, and other businesses within the food/hospitality industry. They would love to see Prospector Popcorn on the shelves in your community, so reach out if you know ways they can grow their reach! You can also buy their popcorn online at prospectorpopcorn.org
Come see movies! One of the best ways to support the mission of the Prospector Theater is to buy a ticket and see a movie. A short 15 minute drive from Silvermine, the Prospector offers a unique and romantic moviegoing experience that will dazzle audiences young and old. To see what's upcoming, visit prospectortheater.org
Moira Ratchford’s Unique Art + Illustrations
(Image source: Moira Ratchford)
Working from a classic Silvermine home built by her great aunt in 1940, artist and illustrator Moira Ratchford has been quietly creating work filled with warmth, color, and character for decades, some of which locals may recognize from mugs, tea towels, and other home goods now sold online.
With more than 25 years of experience in graphic design, Moira seamlessly brings her illustrations into beautifully produced, functional pieces for the home. Her illustrated mugs in particular make thoughtful, heartfelt gifts, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner! She also creates custom illustrations and personalized mugs or canvas prints, perfect for children’s rooms or meaningful keepsakes.
Moira’s work has earned national recognition, but her roots remain firmly planted in Silvermine. Supporting her art means supporting a local creative voice, one brushstroke at a time.
You can explore her work and shop online at moiraratchford.com/shop
Q&A with Moira
Q: It sounds like your home has such a special history — what’s it like living and creating art in the house your great-aunt built in 1940?
The Ratchfords have a long history in Norwalk. They settled here from Ireland around the 1860s, and helped build St. Mary's Church. Their family home and small farm was on Main Avenue, on what is now the shopping center featuring Stop and Shop. They eventually sold the property for below value when the Merritt Parkway was put in due to eminent domain requirements. They also owned a saloon and hotel on the corner of Main and Wall Street, which was destroyed in the flood of '55.
My great aunt, Helen T. Ratchford, built her house in Silvermine next to what I believe was a dairy farm, and which is now the Silvermine Golf Club. My father, a Norwalk native who was a young golf coach at Fairfield Prep at the time, actually helped Mr. Warner with the design of that course. 1940 was 15 years before the catastrophic flood that took her family's business, but she already had the wisdom to build her house near the highest point in Norwalk, which is marked by a stone pyramid on Silvermine Golf Course. She taught Spanish at Norwalk High, and was involved in their drama club. As an avid reader and scholar, she made sure the living room had ample built-in bookcases to store her collection of tomes. While the house is rather cottage-sized, she still decided to include tray ceilings, a screened porch where she slept during the hot summer nights before air conditioning, and a massive stone fireplace where she had a cozy spot for reading during the winter.
My parents then lived here and were very active in the community, especially with STAR, since I have a brother who lives in a STAR group home (amazing organization, by the way!). I had been living with my Dad during his battle with cancer, and when he passed away in 2022, I stayed on. I feel very lucky to part of this historic house and my great aunt's original vision.
Q: How did you first fall in love with watercolor as a medium, and how has your style evolved over the years?
I began painting watercolors when I was young, because it was easy to take my paints and brushes anywhere. I painted from the shores of the Saugatuck River to a mail boat along the fjords of Norway. I subsequently branched out into pastels, acrylics, collage, oils, spray paint and airbrush. I painted everything from huge flowers and fruits to more serious meditations on climate change and the plight of refugees. Because I am also a storyteller, I began doing children's illustration, because that always brings joy.
When I moved in with my Dad in Silvermine to take care of him, I picked up watercolor again. I didn't have much time or room for a real studio, so watercolor was the perfect medium. I've stuck with it ever since.
Q: You’ve started offering your illustrations on mugs, tea towels, and more. What inspired you to bring your artwork into everyday items?
I'm a big tea and cocoa fan, and a hot cuppa one of those accompanies me all day long. I realized that every time I opened my cupboard, I would reach behind all the boring mugs to find the ones that made me smile. Mugs can also be a reminder of the people we love. My mom had a favorite mug, and when she passed away, it carried a lot of meaning.
I also had to let go of my graphic design work to care for Dad, so I needed another source of income. Mugs seemed like the perfect thing! Especially since I love coming up with funny or snarky quips to add to them.
Q: As a local artist competing with big-box stores, what do you wish more people understood about the value of handmade, small-batch work?
Artists offer something unique and home-grown to the communities where they live and work. Artist-made work is organic and personal. Each of my mugs starts with a pencil sketch of an idea that springs from my imagination, which is fed by a lifetime of experience. When I'm happy with it, I transfer it to watercolor paper and go to town with the vibrance of the paint. The art has life, texture, a bit of humor, and it comes from the heart. Like cooking, you can easily tell the difference between a homemade meal crafted with love and a frozen dinner.
The work of local artists is the same. And it's unique, something you won't find anywhere else. If you go into a big-box store, the art featured on their products will basically be the same in every big-box store in every town across the country. The price will be low because cheap overseas labor produces everything. Art piracy is also a problem. I know artists whose work has shown up in big-box stores, having been stolen from their websites and put on product. Now artists also face the challenge of AI scraping their hand-created art from the web and creating facsimile images that pad the profits of large companies.
But when you purchase something that is artist-made, you own something that reflects that artist's heart and talent. Something local and one-of-a-kind.
As an artist, I've always had a tight budget, and completely understand that not everyone can afford to buy artist-made. But if someone is able to purchase a unique item created by a local artist, they're helping their community thrive and become more vibrant. Because when life is tough, art can lift us up, heal us, and connect with us emotionally.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being an artist in Silvermine? How does the community inspire your work?
When I first moved here, I was invited to join the Silvermine Community Artists in Residence group. It was so helpful to meet other artists and have an opportunity to show my fine art at Wilton Library. There is a very unique vibe to Silvermine due to its long history as an artist haven. The historic houses, Silvermine Arts Center, and beautiful, wooded surroundings add to the charm. I feel very fortunate to be part of this community.
Q: What can readers look forward to from your shop in the coming months — new products, collections, or local events?
In the spring, I'll begin creating personalized canvas decor for children's rooms. I take my original illustrations, customize them with a child's name, and print them onto canvas that's ready to hang. My "Love Ewe" print is especially sweet for celebrating the birth of a child, perfect for the nursery.
I'll also be taking part in spring and summer artisan markets locally. You can stay up to date on my upcoming events by checking out my Events page or subscribing to my email list, which is at the bottom of my homepage: https://www.moiraratchford.com
Silvermine Real Estate Market Update
Market Snapshot
- The median sale price in Silvermine hit $1,459,000 in October 2025, representing a +25.8% year-over-year increase.
- Homes in the area typically sell in about 31 days, down from 39 days this time last year.
- The sale-to-list price ratio averages around 102.8%, with approximately 52.9% of homes selling above the list price.
- The average home value in the Silvermine sector of Wilton is about $1,361,365, which represents a +5.4% increase over the past year.
What This Means
- Demand remains strong in Silvermine, driven by its unique blend of historic charm, natural surroundings, and proximity to New Canaan, Wilton, and Norwalk.
- With homes selling quickly and frequently above list price, the market continues to favor sellers who present well, price accurately, and market strategically.
- Despite elevated prices, limited inventory is helping sustain competition among buyers—properties that are well-positioned are still drawing serious interest.
- For buyers, the key is preparation: financing in place, realistic pricing, and flexibility often make the difference when competing in this market.
- For sellers, timing, presentation, and leveraging professional marketing (photography, video, targeted exposure) remain critical to capturing the top-end demand Silvermine attracts.
Strategy Takeaways
- If you’re considering selling in Silvermine, now is a strong window—especially for homes that are move-in ready, strategically priced, and well-marketed.
- Buyers should plan for competition, act decisively, and work with a real estate partner who understands how to navigate high-end Fairfield County markets.
- For both buyers and sellers, track interest rate trends and inventory levels, as these continue to impact affordability and negotiation dynamics even in highly desirable micro-markets like Silvermine.
