The Third Pillar of Sage Hearth: Welcoming The Forge

Some parts of a homestead grow from the soil, and others rise from fire and steel. We’ve shared the Hearth—the heart of home—and the Sage—the quiet devotion to natural wellness. Now it’s time to introduce the third pillar of our life here: The Forge.

At its core, blacksmithing is the purest form of hands-on creation—fire, metal, rhythm, and intention. It’s where raw steel becomes tools, hardware, and art that will serve this land for decades. And here at Sage Hearth, The Forge is becoming a place where practicality meets craft, and old skills find new purpose.

That anvil resting on the stump? It’s a story all on its own.

Shortly after we moved in, a powerful storm swept across the property and brought down a large branch from an ancient totara. Instead of letting it go to waste, we cut a clean round from the fallen wood and gave it new life as the foundation of the anvil. It’s solid, grounded, and deeply rooted in the history of this place—literally.

Repurposing the totara was more than a project; it was a reflection of our entire philosophy here at Sage Hearth: use what the land offers, honour what’s already here, and build forward with purpose.

The Forge will soon shape the tools we need—from garden implements to hinges, hooks, and maybe even a few artistic pieces that will find their way into our home. Whether it’s a necessity or a passion project, this is where skill meets fire and where hard work becomes legacy.

The Hearth keeps us warm.
The Sage keeps us grounded.
And The Forge builds what will last.

This is the rhythm of Sage Hearth—homegrown wellness, hands-on craft, and a life shaped by the land beneath our feet.

#SageHearth #TheForge #Blacksmithing #TheForgeAtSageHearth #TotaraWood #DIYRevitalization #SelfSufficiency #HardWork #HomesteadNZ #Kiwihomestead

About the Author

Part of the team behind Sage Hearth, I’m the one who keeps our stories, moments, and everyday progress written down. While we both share the hands-on work of the homestead, I put the journey into words so we can look back on how far we’ve come—and bring you along with us.

Location: Taupō, New Zealand

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