How to get my DSLR (Nikon d3100) to focus when filming myself?

How do I get my DSLR (Nikon d3100) to focus when filming myself?
I set up my camera on a tripod and tried filming myself (beauty guru for YouTube) but when I bring objects up close to the camera to show the viewers it doesn't focus on the objects! How do I get it to focus without having to focus it manually because I'm filming myself? Are there special settings?

There's the possibility that you are holding the object too close to the lens, closer than the lens can focus.

Here is a list of all the lenses Nikon makes. Look up your lens and then look at the specifications to find out what the closest focus point is for your lens

http://www.nikonusa.com/...index.page