For the fur effect I set the colour out on a layer then added noise... Then I used the smudge tool working from the bottom upwards smudging/dragging the noise down. I cant remember how much smudge I used, but I think there was a tutorial for it on DeviantArt.
Katame, I didn't realise my boyfriend posted a link to me anywhere until you mentioned on FA.
The gear sadly doesn't have any symbolic meaning, although it could represent the circle of life... But really I just love gears. ^^