I like your work, i had a quick look other day, still need to have a better look though, when i have some time.
My tip would only be too keep doing what your doing, gradients are a awesome way to go, if you only have a mouse, most of my stuff is just with a mouse even tho i have a tablet now, but over the years i got so used to using the mouse
I think i only have 2 tutorials, that i used the tablet.
This is an older image i was working on, 100% with mouse
[link]And this tutorial, was made from the link above
[link]It shows just about everything i used in the image, just on making the rim, and how it can be turned into something els.