I have seen my share of ratty garden hoses in the trash that have been abandoned. Chase DeForest was educated as a sculptor, worked as a furniture maker, and is now an artist designer who lets her pastimes of gardening and the outdoors meld with her work. Her Sports and Recreation exhibit portrayed her Hoseware of baskets and chairs. The medium is durable, colorful, and quite an appropriate choice for both of these ventures.

Wicker can be brittle and difficult to work with, but with some carefully placed zip ties DeForest has created fun, appealing, and functional pieces using repurposed goods.

With regards to the birth of Hoseware she write: "Hoses: I garden. Raised on a farm; rooting around produce at dusk. Made first hose basket 15 years ago. Seemed like a medium with possibilities." Winner of the emerging artist grant from the American Craft Council in 2008 Chase DeForest brings fresh ideas from all areas of her life. Although her Hosewares are available for purchase I think with some time and care this could be a fun crafts project!