Sia25, if your get a good instructor, that can become a huge boost to your skills. Try to get as much info, as you can about the person who will teach you. The group itself gives you communication and new ideas, good idea for starters.

Go for something traditional and well-known, like crane. It is easiy recognisable and is associated with origami and Japan! Also pretty easy to make.

I only had to make mould and deckle. Kitchen blender, a container you'll use as a tub, a sponge and a wood board - you are very much likely to have all these things at home anyway.

I tried. You're right, the paper is a little bit too thick for folding and lacks elasticity (cracks on the edges). I made a duck of it. I'll try ti find a photo for you.