Chip and Joanna Gaines’ go-to carpenter, who made regular appearances on the couple’s show Fixer Upper, was on the brink of financial ruin before he met the HGTV stars. And Harp, who’s own show Wood Work premieres May 9 on DIY Network, is opening up about his fateful run-in with the famous contractor in his new book, Handcrafted: A Woodworker’s Story.

In the memoir, Harp chronicles how he worked a sales job for years in order to provide for his wife, Kelly, and their three kids. But after leaving the comfortable paycheck behind in order to pursue his dream of designing and building furniture, the Harps soon found themselves in a tough situation when it came to their income, as he had no formal training, financing, a workspace or customers.

As luck would have it, Harp met Chip at a gas station one day. The pair decided to work together, catapulting his passion project into a longstanding career crafting custom pieces alongside Joanna — as well as a scoring a coveted Gaines-renovated home for his own family.

Now Harp has both a faithful fan base, and lifelong friends (he even recently served as team leader for the Gaineses’ Silo District Half Marathon), and is using his newfound fame to inspire others to reconsider their day jobs in pursuit of their side hustles.

Handcrafted will not only describe Harp’s journey from learning carpentry alongside his grandfather to his thriving current business, but will also include ideas for how to follow in his footsteps.

“I’ve wanted to write a book since high school, and that dream is now a reality!” he wrote on Instagram announcing his latest project. “It’s been a work in progress for almost two years now and I’m so excited.”

Handcrafted: A Woodworker’s Story will be available September 25.

This article originally appeared on People.

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Last night’s emotional Fixer Upper had Joanna Gaines reaching for the tissues. “This one’s a tear jerker,” she tweeted during the episode, which saw she and husband Chip work their magic on a property for homeowner Patti Baker, who recently lost her husband to cancer. After relocating to Waco, Texas, to be near her two sons, Baker decided to purchase this humble abode. While in relatively good shape, it “needed a hug” before it could be her new forever home.

AFTER: WARM WELCOME

The original exterior was bland, with simple gray siding and standard iron pillars. Chip and Jo, who announced in January that they’re expecting baby number five, brightened the look with cedar shingles, lighter paint and a redesigned porch, perfect for the Texas lifestyle.

BEFORE: DARK AND DREARY

The closed off 1,600-square-foot floor plan didn’t offer much in the way of spacious rooms. One bonus, though, were the floors that remained in nearly untouched condition.

AFTER: SUNNY COOKING SPOT

 

BEFORE: BARE BONES

The living room already offered plenty of natural light, but plain walls and outdated fixtures took away from the area’s solid starting point.

AFTER: SITTING PRETTY

White shutters, light furniture and touches of wood refresh the space, while floating shelves showcasing precious family memories of her late husband help Patti feel truly at home. “He knows I’m safe and sound now,” Baker said after the reveal.

This article originally appeared on People.

The post See the Fixer Upper Joanna Gaines Designed for a Waco Widow appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

On Sunday, the HGTV stars arrived in Houston to get to work remodeling the home of 81-year-old Houston resident Doris Davis, which was badly damaged in the storm.

When Harvey struck, Davis remained in her flooded home for three days before a neighbor rescued her and safely transported her to a local hospital. Now, the Fixer Upper stars, alongside ExxonMobil employee volunteers (the project is in partnership with ExxonMobil and Rebuilding Together Houston) will work to get Davis and her three dogs back to their home in about a month, USA TODAY reports.

Here teaming up with @rebuildinghou and @exxonmobil for some reno and to do some good close to home. #RebuildingOurBackyard pic.twitter.com/BQspQX26St

— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) October 29, 2017

“We pulled into town and these boys said, ‘Hey, let’s get to work,’ and I said, ‘Great, you’re speaking my language,’” Chip tells Melissa Correa of KHOU11.

.@RebuildingHou volunteers and @ChipGaines pitching in and removing siding damaged by #Harvey floodwater. #RebuildingOurBackyard pic.twitter.com/PexdhKGGPL

— ExxonMobil (@exxonmobil) October 29, 2017

Davis was overjoyed to see the TV handyman, demanding a kiss on both cheeks and telling the local news network, “I mean, I wasn’t expecting this, honey.”

If the first :30 of my #khou11 report don’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will! Catch the full story tonight at 10!!!! pic.twitter.com/AXKIPV3MUq

— Melissa Correa (@MCorreaKHOU) October 29, 2017

We may not see these scenes on Fixer Upper when it returns for its fifth and final season in November, but we know this is one home reveal the magic of television couldn’t do justice.

This article originally appeared on People.

The post Chip and Joanna Gaines Help an 81-Year-Old Houston Woman Who Lost Everything in Harvey Rebuild appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

The HGTV duo recently stepped in to help build a handicapped-accessible home for a paralyzed Waco firefighter and his family.

“Chip and Joanna have offered to pick up the last big ticket item,” Wes Waller, a contractor with UBI Products, told KWTX-TV. “They’re going to pay for the cost of the lumber.”

In May, Garth Goodwin was electrocuted in a freak accident and fell 12-13 feet off a billboard platform, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. The incident is just the latest challenge for Goodwin and his family, as his 19-year-old son was born without part of his brain and requires round the clock care.

Goodwin’s firefighter friends knew they needed to assist their pal and reached out to Waller in the hopes that he could help in constructing a new home.

“The firemen called, me and they said, ‘Hey, we’re firemen, and we don’t know how to build a house…Can you help us?'” Waller told Fox News. “I said ‘absolutely.'”

Within a week, more than 70 businesses joined in to help and 80 percent of the materials were accounted for. All that was left was the lumber, and that’s when Waller decided to reach out to Chip and Joanna.

“I know Chip and Joanna, they’re huge, and they did connect the last dot, but none of these dots would be connected without the great people from central Texas,” he said. “If anything, this would not be happening if the firefighters wouldn’t have called and asked, ‘What can we do to build a house?'”

RELATED: A Complete Guide to the Charity Work of HGTV Stars the “Property Brothers”

Thanks to Chip, Joanna, and the entire Waco community, the Goodwin family should have their new home by Thanksgiving.

“All of us at the Waco Fire Department are thankful for Chip and Joanna and everyone that has stepped up to help our friend and his family,” Firefighter Jay Jeffrey told KWTX-TV.

“The positive impact they are making for Garth, Lisa and Cutter is immeasurable.”

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(Photo Credit: Instagram)

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Despite their parents’ superstar status, Joanna and Chip Gaines’ four children will probably not get cell phones anytime soon.

During an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Fixer Upper star said that she wants her kids to appreciate life outside the small screen.

“I tell the kids that you are probably not going to get a cell phone,” said Joanna during her interview with ET. “We want to teach our kids that life happens outside of these devices. It’s just a simple thing to go outside and connect with nature, play with your friends and get dirty.”

Gaines four kids, Drake, Ella, Duke, and Emmie, and regularly featured on the HGTV hit show. Whether it’s playing on the family’s farm or helping with a remodel, the kids are always active and enjoying hands-on activities with their parents.

In addition to cell phones, Chip and Joanna don’t have a TV in the home, despite starring on HGTV’s number one program.  

“It’s the simple things,” said Joanna.

The lack of technology in the home allows Joanna and her family to focus on other activities including gorgeous home makeovers and a new clothing line.

Joanna teamed with Matilda Jane Clothing to design a collection of girls’ apparel. It’s slated to hit stores this December.

“It’s funny. The girls will come in my closet and they always say, ‘Hey, when I get older, can you save this dress for me? Can you save these shoes for me?’ So I thought it would be sweet to do a cute little mommy-and-me thing, even with just the aprons,” she told ET.

We can’t wait to see her designs!

Photo Credit: HGTV

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