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Heartworks Co. / Paper Bear

About Us And Our Products

Since 1978

If you are not familiar with our store, you may find it odd that we identify ourselves as a a "World Famous"- "TEXAS Sized Gift Shop". Well we were not always world famous or Texas sized.

When our store first opened in San Marcos in 1978, we focused on handmade items and antiques. Most items were from regional artists and craftsmen. In fact, the store had a very strong focus on "artworks" -- made from the Heart -- thus the name: Heartworks Co.

In 1978, San Marcos was small community without many local stores, and thus a limited selection of locally available products. As people visited the store, they often asked if we carried certain kinds of products, and if we didn't, could we. As a result of this interaction with our customers, to the extent that we were able, we added a number of different products; and in doing so, we developed a very eclectic inventory of products.

As we kept adding different kinds of products, we kept using up store space. In 1984 the Western Auto Store closed and we had the chance to lease that space across the street on LBJ (Lyndon Baines Johnson attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos -- thus the name). Because we retained the original store, and stocked this new space with a large selection of cards, stationary, journals, albums, and similar paper products, it became "Paper Bear". We then relocated the original store to the new space and adopted our current name: Heartworks Co./Paper Bear. In 1988, we again had the chance to increase our retail space by leasing the space adjacent to the current store at 214 North LBJ Drive. We leased the space (an old Ben Franklin store), added more products and became a "Texas Sized Gift Shop". Over the years, our customer base has grown. Many customers are former Texas State University students, or family members, or friends. Many have relocated all over the world; however, we are very fortunate that a large number of them find their way back to the store to shop, and that they often tell us that we are unlike most other stores that they frequent. Thus we concluded that we are "world famous"!

As time went by, many "big box" retailers located in the San Marcos area, and this influenced where our customers could buy the products they wanted. We are trying to cut back on our "mix" but continue to carry "unusual" products that are not easily found at more conventional stores. As always, we are strongly influenced by our customer's requests for products that are not easily found locally.

Heartworks Co./ Paper Bear has always been an "alternative" store that offers a wide selection of very affordable products that are unusual. This is clearly reflected in the product selection and value we offer today. We hope that you will visit us very soon .. and that you will enjoy your shopping experience with us.

Our former Waco store.
In 1996 we opened a store in Waco, Texas located at 1412 North Valley Mills Drive, #108, Waco, Texas 76710. Our manager of the store for twelve years purchased the Waco store from Heartworks Co. in June 2008 through RobinDove, Inc., a Texas corporation. RobinDove, Inc. also licensed the "Paper Bear" trademark and logo, and the store continues to be independently operated by RobinDove,Inc. as "Paper Bear - Waco". The store can be reached at 254-772-6767 and paperbearwaco@clearwire.net.

Our Products

    TOYS, GAMES, BOOKS, POSTERS

  • Tiny Toys - over 300 jars with $0.05 to $1.00 toys
  • Shells from the sea
  • Yo-Yos
  • Hacky Sacks
  • Gag Gifts of all kinds
  • Dominoes
  • Playing Cards (Kem cards, Tarot, ...)
  • Dice of all kinds (Farkle)
  • Puzzles (Mystery Puzzles available
  • Posters (murals, prints, vintage reproductions)
  • PVC Characters (from almost any cartoon)
  • Ink Stamps and supplies
  • Children's Books for all ages (coloring, sticker, tattoo, stencils, origami, crossword, joke, ...
  • Sea Monkeys
  • Stuffed Animals (Ty, Gund, NAB, ...)
  • Board Games - traditional and unique
  • Travel Toys, Water Toys, Juggling
  • Marbles of all shapes and sizes
  • Educational items (posters, games, sciences)
  • Playmobile
  • Thomas the Train
  • Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls
  • Wind Up Toys
  • Tin Toys
  • Model Airplanes (nostalgia, balsa wood)
  • Hello Kitty
  • Glow in Dark items
  • Kit Kat Clock
  • Slinky, Pick-Up Sticks, Jacks, and more nostalic toys
  • Magic items and supplies
  • Costume accessories available all year, just ask ...
  • Paint Sticks (for face painting)

    • COOKING, COMFORT & CANDY

  • Gift Candies (Sweet Shop Truffles)
  • Nostalgic Candies (Packaged and Bulk Jars)
  • Texas Souvenirs
  • Texas Gifts
  • Texas Decorations
  • Texas and Regional Cookbooks
  • Recipe Books
  • Texas A&M Collectibles
  • University of Texas Collectibles
  • Gift Mugs, Xpres Dog Mugs, ...
  • Balloon Bouquets, Mylars, ...
  • Magnets and Magnetic Picture Frames
  • Buttons (nostalgic and contemporary)
  • Stickers
  • Wacky Wobblers
  • Over the Hill Gifts
  • Dog and Cat Gifts
  • Texas Music and Musicians CD's
  • Putumayo World Music CD's

    • GREETING CARDS, JOURNALS, NOTES

  • Handmade Cards, Queen of Cards, Go Girl, Weiner Dog, Tickelopes,
  • Recycled Paper, Mary Engelbreit, Blue Mountain, Pop Shots, Pages of Time, Portal,
  • Leaning Tree, Marcel Schurman, Avanti, Palm Press, Northern Exposure,Pomegranate
  • Boxed Cards
  • Notepads, Sticky Notes, Address Books
  • Planners, Calendars, Journals, Photo Albums, Scrapbooks, Brag Books, Guest Books
  • Baby Albums, Wedding Albums, Anniversary Albums
  • Sealing Wax and Seals
  • Pocket Tokens
  • Book Marks
  • Knowledge Cards
  • Postcards
  • Postcard Books
  • Lady Jayne Stationary
  • Cell Phone Holders
  • Reading Glasses and glass holders
  • Boxed Stationary, Friends & Family Plates ???

    JEWELRY & FASHION ITEMS

  • Brighton
  • Jody Coyote
  • BOMA
  • Far Fetched
  • Original In-House Designs
  • Jewelry from Nepal, India, China, Peru, Afghanistan,Mexico,...
  • Vintage Stamps set in Sterling Silver
  • Vintage Swatch Watches
  • Genuine Ancient Roman Coin Jewelry
  • Loteria Pendants
  • Pressed Flower Bracelets and Crosses
  • Saints Pendants
  • Colored Gemstones set in Sterling
  • Turquoise Jewelry - a large selection
  • Amber, Opals, Pearls, Moonstones, Amethysts, Citrine, Malachite, Iolite, Clear Quartz, Garnet, Black Onyx, Ocean Jasper, Coral, Mother of Pearl, Blue Topaz
  • Costume/Fashion Jewelry - a large selection
  • Sterling Silver Charms - a large selection
  • Beads, findings, tools, and instructions to make your own jewelry
  • -
  • Beaded Leather Slippers
  • Mary Jane Shoes - brocade, sequin, floral mesh, beaded, and regular black
  • Reversible Skirts made from recycled Saris
  • Recycled Silk Purses, Scarves, & Hats
  • Knitted Scarves & Hats
  • Water Buffalo Sandals
  • Embroidered, Beaded, and Sequined Blouses, Kurtas, Dresses
  • Imported Skirts in Rayon, Cotton, & Silk

    • HOME & GARDEN

  • Wall Plaques & Decorations
  • Crosses - Celtic, Wood, Ceramic, ...
  • Mirrors
  • Gazing Balls
  • Tin Signs
  • Flags - U.S., Texas, Historical Texas
  • Garden Flags
  • Plate Stands & Easels
  • Hand Decorated Hankies
  • Vases
  • Sugar Molds and Candles ?
  • Table Cloths & Runners
  • Wine Storage & Serving Accessories
  • McHarp Crosses
  • Texas Stone Crosses from Fossil Rock
  • United Design Crosses, Mexican Crosses, Carson Crosses
  • La Tee Da Fragrance Lamps
  • Picture Frames
  • Incense & Holders
  • Crystal Rose Bowls
  • Wedding Gifts
  • Colonial, For Every Body, Beanpod Soy, Judy Hevelka, Trapp, Granny Bee's, Williamsburg Tapers
  • Wide selection of candle holders and stands

    • COLLECTIBLES

  • Coca-Cola, Elvis Presley, Betty Boop, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, I Love Lucy, Peanuts, Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Grateful Dead, Beatles, Doors, John Wayne, Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Wizard of Oz,...
  • Clay Planet Designs - fish by Mike Quinn
  • Angels, Cats, Dogs, Chickens, Mermaids, Fish, Frogs, Turtles, Butterflies, Lady Bugs, Elephants, Monkeys, Fairies...
  • My Little Kitchen Fairies - Enesco
  • Fairy Jewelry & Stationary
  • Flower Fairies
  • Amy Brown's Fairy Divas
  • Seraphim Classics & Angels
  • Aprons, Hotpads, Kitchen Mitts
  • Windchimes - Carson, Bamboo, small to very large
  • Garden Gnomes
  • Handmade Pottery - Reyes, Sherwood, Irvin, ...
  • Bookends
  • Wooden Boxes - handmade
  • Bells from India
  • Egyptian Statues
  • Prayer Flags
  • Gongs, chimes, singing bowls
  • T-Shirts
  • Buddha figures, masks and statues
  • Chopsticks
  • Oriental Decorations
  • Mexican Imports
  • Serenity Angels - Seasons of Cannon Falls
  • Tapestries/Bedspreads from India
  • Decorated Pillow Covers
  • Precious Moments, Growing Up Birthday Girls, Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore -- Enesco
  • Birthday Girls by Joseph Originals -- Applause
  • Krinkles by Patience Brewster -- Department 56
  • Cow Parade, Trail of Painted Ponies, Guitar Mania by Westland
  • Lee Middleton Originals - Dolls
  • Clayworks by Heather Goldminc
  • Maud Humphrey Collectibles
  • Demdaco's Willow Tree by Susan Lordi
  • Stonehouse Gallery Stained Glass
  • Quarry Critters by Second Nature Design

    • CHRISTMAS

  • Department 56 -- Dickens Village, Christmas in the City Village, North Pole Village, Snowbabies, and Ornaments
  • Fontanini Nativity items and sets by Roman, Inc.
  • Joan Baker Designs

    • SCENT & RELATED PRODUCTS

  • Blue Q Bath & Body Magic
  • Caswell Massey
  • Pre Province
  • Aromatherapy & Herbal Baths
  • Shea Butter Soaps
  • Blue Q Dirty Girl Soaps, etc.
  • Upper Canada Bath Products
  • European Soaps
  • Eye & Body Pillows & Wraps
  • Happy Massagers
  • Kama Sutra Products
  • Kiss My Face - hand creams & soaps
  • Burt's Bees
  • Dr.Brommer's Magic Soaps
  • Bath Salts &s; Bath Oil Beads
  • Fragrance Oils for Scent Burners
  • Scented Oils to Wear
  • Aromatherapy Oils
  • Camille Beckman Lotions

    • GIFT WRAP & PARTY GOODS

  • Ribbon
  • Gift Wrap
  • Tissue
  • Gift Bags
  • Gift Boxes
  • Party Goods