How do the featured projects, blogs and crafty superstars get chosen?

I favorite stuff for different reasons. Some because they inspire me, some because I hope to make them at some point and some because they are so cool how could I not? Most of them fall in the first and second category though.

the tshirt I made that I mentioned was featured-- that wasn't a how to

got several comments requesting for it to be one, but in all honesty, I hate making how-tos, so it won't happen in the future

I favorite very rarely, only if I really like the project, but I don't go around searching for projects .. sooo

Didn't want to start a new topic so I'm dragging this up from the past as I've just had another thought about this, stop me if I'm wrong, but it seems like all featured projects have almost perfect photography them.
I just feel a bit frustrated as it seems (to me) that one of the recently featured projects is very similar to ones I have published in the past, I see similar things and I think, "why his/hers and not mine? What makes that one better then mine? Is there a mistake in what I made?" and now I think it's down to the photography, clear picture, plain (usually white) background and good lighting. I think I'm going to have to make a light box to make my projects look semi-decent. Am I the only one who thinks this when they see the featured projects?
End of rant, sorry if I offended anyone.

Dragoness - I wonder the same thing. I'm new to CO+K so I'm not expecting to be added any time soon but I'd love to be featured! I think it would be a really nice honor so I'm gunna work hard to show my best. Maybe when they decide who they want to feature they request that the crafter re-takes a better photo? Maybe.. I dunno... that's what I'd do.

pictures are obviously very important
lighting, background, etc.

because through the internet, we can only see; we can't touch, view from different angles (unless there's other pictures), smell, etc.

that's why before I put anything up on the internet, I make sure the picture's as clear as possible, from the best angle, etc. I edit (mostly only contrast and bright/darkness) the photos until I'm satisfied.
if the picture doesn't do the creation justice, no one on the internet will give it a second thought and think "oh it'd look so much better if the picture was brighter, etc." unless specifically asked to critique


and from what I can tell (and when I was featured), they don't request a new photo, they just email you to say that you've been featured