I've gained much of my 3D modeling knowledge from watching Jason Welsh's Youtube channel, youtube.com/user/cannedmushrooms/videos?flow=grid&view=1 and David Allen Ward's Youtube channel youtube.com/user/ward7299/videos?flow=grid&view=1. You can watch my video for taking a 3D file extracted from Pepakura and making it printable on your 3D printer. youtube.com/watch?v=c2qWeNbnTxA (The file used in the video is my original work that I submitted in Pepakura format on 405th.com as part of Master Chief's armor in Halo 4)

I started learning modeling around 2008 and started researching 3D printers in 2011. I was finally able to build one in early 2012 and purchased one in Jul. of 2012 (the one I bought is the only one working right now).
I'm currently learning about multicolored printing, and will hopefully be achieving this soon.