In the town of Acton, about 25 miles northwest of Boston, MA, you find the workshop of Jonathan and Sheila Beardslee Bosworth. This is where the Bosworth spinning magic happens... The Bosworths are perhaps best known as creators of the Journey Wheel, an innovative and delightful accelerated spinning wheel based on the concept of the Indian book and briefcase charkhas which they also make. However, as many spindlers know, the Bosworths also produce excellent spindles. What makes a Bosworth spindle worth owning is the beautiful balance and smooth spin. The spindles are made of exotic hardwoods polished to a lustrous sheen. Though the Bosworths make only top whorl spindles, they come in various sizes and weights for any suspended spindle purpose from bulky sweater yarns to delicate laceweight.

Jonathan Bosworth is a retired mechanical engineer who specialized in medical instruments. There have been woodworkers in his family since 1800; in fact his woodworking ancestor Eliphalet Edson's house is still standing and is now a trendy Italian restaurant! Jonathan's knowledge of spin physics is evident in the rim weighting of the spindle whorls, which allows them to spin for a nice long time, and the superb balance of the hook and shaft.

One of the unique things about Bosworth spindles is their exotic line which includes moose antler, wooly mammoth tusk and wooly mammoth tooth whorls! These materials have a beauty that is very different from the beauty of the woods, and spindle afficionados have been lining up to get their hands on one. The moose spindles, affectionately termed "moosies" are pale and delicate looking. The mammoth tusk and tooth whorls are surprising in their markings and coloration, no two are alike. Don't worry, no moose are harmed in the making of the spindles, all antlers have been shed naturally. Jonathan bought his first moose antler at a flea market, and had the vision to see spindles in there! Sheila says she never knows what aspiring spindle material will come home from the flea market with Jonathan.

Sheila holds up her end of the business by polishing the whorls, and marketing the spindles. Her bubbly personality and willingness to help make dealing with the Bosworths a pleasure. Sheila enjoys drop spindling, and takes spindles along with her to spin a bit here and there in her everyday activities, meeting new people and passing on the joy and passion of spindling. When Sheila is not spindling, she spends her time as a professional musician and teacher at the school for the Boston Boy Choir. She plays recorder and viola da gamba, sings and has a strong interest in historical dance.

The Bosworths have produced over 4300 spindles since 2001. They sell their spindles through dealers, at wool shows and fiber festival and directly online. To meet the Bosworths and find out more about their products, visit their website at http://www.journeywheel.com .