In the 'New To Jewellery - First Timers Forum' there is a thread about what beginners tools to get. (Sorry not sure how to add the link)

And somewhere on here (I can't find it right now) there is a thread about all of the books - the 'pro's' have found useful.

This is how I have started and I have found that you really do need to focus and decide what aspect of jewellery making you want to do and then stick with it for a while otherwise it gets expensive and confusing!!

P.s Reading the stuff on here has been a huge resource and the people not only very helpful but very friendly too.