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The goal of this project in my Switch 2 series is to make the dock feel less like a black abyss. I decided early on that I wasn’t going to fight the darkness of the console. I just wanted to work with it and still make it cute.

On Instagram, I searched “decoden Switch 2 dock” and found this:

This felt like the right time to break out some deco whipped cream and go for it.

I liked the fun figurines in the reference, but I didn’t want to buy more stuff if I didn’t have to. So I took my Birthday Bears on a field trip. They’re going to be the focal point, sitting on top of the whip. At this point, I had no idea what I wanted them to look like, so I let the supplies lead.

Materials I Used for Custom Bears

Leftover flocked bears
Copious amounts of glitter
Tiny rhinestones
Fun tiny cabochons
Mod Podge
Black nail polish
Paint brushes
Dotting tool
X-acto knife

The only things I ordered for this part were the glitter and the cabochons. Everything else I already had.

In a previous post, I shared how I glitter things so they don’t shed everywhere, and I used these same bears to demonstrate it. That was a whole process. Now I’m just giving them personality.

Designing the Bear Details

I really didn’t have a plan. I just knew I needed to keep it simple so I didn’t drive myself crazy. That didn’t fully happen.

Since all the bears are the same size and pretty small, they needed different looks so they didn’t feel flat.

I used white glitter to add bellies, paws, and turned a few into pandas. I made more than I needed because I didn’t know what direction I was going in, and it was easier to edit down later.

How I Painted the Bear Faces

For this part, I used glossy black nail polish for the mouth details. I like the finish, and for some reason it’s easier for me to control on small surfaces.

If it comes out great, it comes out great. If not, you kind of just live with it.

I used a dotting tool for the noses. Just dipped it in and gave each bear a solid little boop.

For the classic teddy bear mouth, I broke it into three parts: the vertical line, one side, then the other. Instead of doing one bear at a time, I did it assembly line style.

I used an X-acto knife dipped in polish for the vertical line. Holding the bear upside down made it easier to control. Don’t think too hard about it. Just breathe and let the knife drag the paint.

Then I did one side of the mouth on all the bears. This is a little trickier, but you’ll find a rhythm. I started with the black glitter bears so I’d be more confident when I got to the lighter ones.

Then I finished the other side. This side was actually more challenging for me for some reason. Maybe because I’m right handed? I’m not sure, but I did notice that the struggle was real.

Some came out better than others, which is expected. This was the most tedious part. I’m still not convinced it’s worth it, but I did it.

Adding Rhinestone Eyes

For my original Birthday Bears, I used a marker. After that, I mostly switched to rhinestones. After all that work on the mouths, rhinestones felt like a safe choice.

This part was fun. I used a mix of sizes from ss6 to ss10 and leaned into color-shifting stones. Some of them ended up giving Lisa Frank energy, which I wasn’t mad about. I know this photo shows me using E6000, but I prefer to use B-7000 now. I am using up the stash of E6000 I have.

Adding Cabochon Details

I wanted to add bows to some of them, kind of Hello Kitty style. The cabochons were cute, but the colors felt a little harsh, so I glittered them with white iridescent glitter.

The plain ones still felt a little too plain, so I used double heart cabochons and glittered those in white and gold.

I had them hold the hearts instead of putting them on their bellies. On the belly, it started to feel a little too Care Bears.

Custom Bears for My Switch Dock

I know this was a lot just to make small components for the dock, but I’m happy with how they turned out. I made 2 sets of pandas so I could turn them into something I could wear. I don’t know what that will be, but it will happen eventually.

I have a loose idea of what I want the dock to look like. Next up is how I handle the whip, then actually using it on the dock.