Handcrafted - Clint Harp
Clint Harp, maverick carpenter on HGTV’s smash hit Fixer Upper and the star of Wood Work on the DIY Network, presents his inspirational memoir that celebrates meaningful work, turning your craft into a career, and recognizing the importance of the journey itself.
Book Synopsis: While Clint Harp is now known as Chip and Joanna Gaines’s go-to table maker on Fixer Upper and a nationally acclaimed artisan, his life has not always been the DIY dream we see on the show. Ten years ago, he played the role of what he thought was a good husband, father, and provider, dutifully working at a sales job that came with a healthy paycheck. Yet he kept coming back to his unfilled dream of building furniture. With the support of his wife, the encouragement of a mentor, and a life full of lessons, he finally took the leap, quit his job and set out on a quest to become a carpenter. Without formal training, financing, workspace, or customers, the Harps were quickly on the edge of financial collapse. Than Clint met Chip Gaines at a gas station—a chance encounter that marked the next chapter on a wild ride Clint and his wife, Kelly, wouldn’t have imagined possible.
Spanning Clint’s remarkable journey—from a childhood learning carpentry and hard work at his grandfather’s knee, through his struggles to balance pursuing his dreams with supporting his family, to his partnership with Chip and Joanna Gaines and the many adventures and misadventures of filming Fixer Upper—Handcrafted is part memoir and part manual for dreamers. Clint provides unvarnished, thoughtful reflections on a path that is possible for anyone bold enough to pursue it.
I'm no stranger to HGTV or the show Fixer Upper. Seriously, who doesn't love watching a little Chip and Joanna Gaines? In the past, I've read all of Jo's books. As soon as I found out that their carpenter, Clint Harp had written something, I knew that I HAD to have it.
Clint is one of the aspects of what I believe makes the show so great. Admittedly, I've seen every episode of Fixer Upper and when I heard that Chip and Joanna Gaines are going to be back on television, I did a little happy dance in my head.
Immediately, I placed the book on hold and then picked it up at the library the next day. It took me about two days to finish this book, not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I was feeling pretty lazy.
We've all been there, we've all had those days, even if you're the most fanatical reader like I am. It's what makes us human and it's okay to have days where we don't feel like doing much, but perhaps binge-watching our favorite shows rather than reading.
Similarly, Clint went through a period of his life where he was in a season of being "lazy", we all know that he did triumph with God's help.
Being a Christian, I find that faith is essential, and Clint truly believes the same. We all have a calling on our lives and it's up to you and I to take up our faith and follow what God wants us to do.
Complete with anecdotes and an inside look into a the life of a carpenter, Clint. He shows us that life can be messy, but we can look on the positive side of things and will get through.
What are you waiting for? Go out there and read this book! If you are a fan of the show... or happen to like carpentry, this is the novel for you!
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5 Stars!