Well, I may have solved my lighting problem. I haven't been able to afford a proper lighting setup, or a good camera. Inspired by the results I got from the last time I took photos, I think I've found the solution. I've MacGuyvered a light box out of hangers, wire, an EVA plastic shower curtain and some tape. It seems to be working, though I probably need to tinker with it more and replace the plastic with a table cloth or bedsheet. However, it might be okay as it is now, I can't really tell because I've misplaced my tripod and my photos are blurry and shitty since I couldn't keep the camera steady.

On the note of the camera, my mom has SLR cameras around here somewhere. She might even have the Macro setup. So I may try using those despite my aversion to film based cameras. It will allow me to get a better shot and I believe that you can get digital prints these days. She's told me that they have short run film rolls too so I don't have to deal with having 23 exposures and having to use them all before I have them developed. I can't afford a DSLR, so this is probably a good alternative.

One thing that pisses me off though is that I can never keep the damn velvet clean and I can never get it clean for more than about 20 seconds. Seems like the second I clean it, crap starts gravitating towards it. I've kept it in plastic and it still gets dirty.