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fishing line, photoshop (clone tool), modeling clay, 2 lights (one 85 degrees left and about a foot above, one under the table lighting the back wall). The use of the reflection of the rim of the mirror is a nice touch as well.
Still life photography is awesome. Just google "famous still life photographers" and start poking around.The image you provided would probably fall under "abstract". Also learn to make and read lighting diagrams.