Who and what is heiter magazine?

With the recent launch of our heiter mini publication and the first heiter event round the corner, it felt important to talk about the idea behind heiter magazine again. In the interview below Katharina, the founder and editor-in-chief of the publication, chats to her husband & heiter sub-editor Ben about how it all started, what heiter (the German word for cheerful) stands for and why we need to take the time to find joy in the simpler things in life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself to everyone who doesn’t know you.

My name is Katharina. I am Austrian but would call the UK my home from home. I lived in England for most of my twenties and feel like it is still a very big part of who I am. You, our border collie Rock and I relocated to Germany two years ago due to work. During the day I manage a team of editors for a fashion company and most of my time outside the office is dedicated to my passion project, heiter magazine (a bilingual magazine based on finding cheerful moments in life).

How did it all start with heiter magazine?

When I worked on my final project (for my BA Fashion Media course at London College of Fashion) back in 2016, I developed the concept for heiter magazine. I always wanted my own publication and saw my project as chance to create one. As a German-speaker who spent years in the UK and is married to a British man both German and English are part of my everyday life. It felt natural to produce a bilingual publication. 

For someone who's only come across heiter magazine now, how would you explain it stands for?

Over the last two years, heiter has transformed from a magazine concept to a cheerful Instagram feed with loyal followers and a blog accompanied by heiter events. The content produced for all those heiter channels is based on three main categories. Finding heiter moments for yourself (My Heiter Moments), community (The Heiter Community) and creativity (Creative Life Heiter Life). I truly believe that everyone can find cheerfulness in their lives if they focus on those main areas; and I want to assist them in finding it.

What made you want to help other people find joy?

When I studied at university I always had a full-time job too. Going to work during the day, attending classes in the evening and on weekends, and doing exams on top of that was definitely not easy. I often found myself tired and without any energy. Only when I decided to enjoy the little windows of time I had between my duties and only when I consciously started looking for small things that brought me joy could I feel happier and cheerful again! I am certain that there are other people out there who experience the same. Life can be full on and at times overwhelming. I want to help my audience to find heiter moments in their every day and so enjoy the time they have left here on earth.

Why do you think it is the case that joy can more often be found in the simpler things?

We live in a fast paced world. Several hours are spent in front of computers or on our phones. One trend follows the next one, wherever we look we find products we should purchase. We’re overwhelmed by the sensory overload and crave for simpler things. I even find that with myself. After a long day at work I don’t want to be in front of another screen. I find joy in a calming cup of tea and a book. On weekends I prefer spending time in the garden or going for a bike ride. I simply want my brain to relax and you know, it works. I always feel much better after doing something I can simply enjoy. 

What’s next for heiter?

As you know, we recently launched the mini magazine and are hoping to publish a bigger publication next Autumn/Winter. The first heiter event is going to take place in Munich. Depending on how it goes we will arrange events in other European cities, perhaps even worldwide. There are some wild ideas regarding a heiter podcast too. I definitely want to continue sharing posts on social media and the heiter blog - and collaborate more with likeminded people and brands. 

Let’s finish this off with the interview question you usually ask at the end of all your interviews. How would you describe your perfect heiter moment?

Ha, that’s easy. Having coffee in the sun, being surrounded by plants and our dog whilst chatting away to you about new heiter ideas and upcoming trips.

Interview & image: Benjamin Carr Geissler-Evans

A seed to table story: an interview with Margrit De Colle, founder of Vom Hügel

It was her love for wild flowers that led Margrit De Colle to start her own business Vom Hügel, the first (certified) organic flower farm in Austria, in 2010. Since then many things have changed and the once simple farm has turned into a place where craftmanship, teaching, learning and indulgence meet on a regular basis. Margrit explains in an interview with heiter what Vom Hügel stands for, what it offers and how it adds cheerfulness to her own life and the lives of others.

Tell us a little bit about you and Vom Hügel

Vom Hügel is German for ''From Hill''. In Italian it’s De Colle which is also my surname. My first name is Margrit as in marguerites, flowers I already loved as a little girl.

I run my small business Vom Hügel in the province of Styria, Austria. The farm is on three hectares of land, surrounded by another three hectares of meadows, forests and nature. We cultivate organic flowers, herbs, edible flowers and old types of vegetables.

People and nature play key roles in our business, as do flowers and craft. We have a wide range of products on offer including, floral decorations, workshops and trainings. Last year we also opened our own little garden café.

Margrit De Colle

When did you start Vom Hügel and why?

Our project started in 2010 and stems from my love of flowers, in particular those that can be found in gardens and on meadows. Picking flowers and turning them into something beautiful was my dream as a little girl. Even though it is part of my daily job now, I remain very passionate about it.

I started off by studying fashion and then sociology. Following my studies I had several different jobs across different sectors, PR, vocational training and event planning. In 2003 I had my son Marco and in 2005 my daughter Maria.

In time I began to work with flowers and the more I worked with them the more disappointed I got. I hardly spent any time on meadows anymore. All I got to work with were industrial flowers that had never seen soil or sun. I had no emotional connection to those ''produced flowers'' and yearned for more.

I wanted to learn about the story behind flowers, the people who work with them and also Mother Nature and the seasons. I wanted to create something beautiful that was seasonal, fair and organic.  In order to get there, I had to start my own project and plant my own organic flowers. I wanted to teach about the things you find in nature and what you can do with them, so I gave the first workshops in my kitchen at home.

What sets Vom Hügel apart from other businesses?

We only work with things we produce ourselves. All our wreaths, products we sell on markets, everything we create for weddings and everything we use in our workshops is cultivated and harvested by us. To me, seasonal limits are creative challenges and particularly special because of our location. (Vom Hügel is located in South-Eastern Styria, Austria). Even in January you can find so many natural things you can use, you just have to look out for them.

We have a wholesome approach. Everything we use for bouquets or salads that are served in the garden café have a ''Seed to Table'' story. We plant the seeds, look after the young plants and harvest with love and respect.

What can one learn in your workshops?

We teach how to plant your own organic flowers and vegetables as well as edible flowers. You can also learn how to make bouquets, table decorations and wreaths for yourself, intensive courses are available for a number of things. Now and then we also invite guest speakers to teach about arts and crafts. All workshop attendees gather the things they need for their pieces themselves. They experience what it means to tread lightly and make things themselves. It’s always a joy to watch them proudly go home with their pieces after a workshop with us.

What else can one discover on your flower farm?

Cats, dogs and a lot of nature.

We give guided tours in our garden, organise workshops for children, serve homemade treats in our garden café (you can also book it for small parties) and invite people to watch us make our table decorations, bouquets etc. (Thurs-Sun, 8am-8pm)

What flowers are ideal for a spring wreath?

I love to keep it simple and use branches from willow trees or cornels. Something natural made from pussy willows, dried grass and moss is gorgeous too. Around this time of year it’s also great to use blooming hellebores, small hyacinths and daffodils finished off with moss and branches from fruit trees.  

What can Vom Hügel expect this year?

New workshops, for example ''Edible Flowers'', ''The Return of Dried Flowers'', ''Bringing Nature Home'', ''Lettering and Sketching Notes''.In our café we’re going to introduce the Creative Breakfast which is obviously ''Seed to Table''.

How would you describe the perfect heiter (cheerful) moment?

Watching the first flowers bloom, which is particularly lovely after a long cold period.

Interview.Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine

Images: vom huegel