I've done a lot of product photography, and my advice is: keeep it simple. Look at catalogs. Everything that you put in the shot will distract from the product. Keep it clear. Any props you use should come in AFTER you've got the shot to work. The background should NEVER detract from the item being sold. Also, make sure the product is the star. Show it as big as you can, but make sure that you show its scale. Don't let anything intrude into the shot. Use a soft warm light. It helps.