Check out Outerzone, hundreds of free plans. https://outerzone.co.uk/index.asp
Use the "tile" feature on your printer, then tape the pages together for the full size plans. I spray Elmers craft "soft" adhesive, it's temporary like post-it note adhesive, on the paper, then glue them to the balsa. Then cut out your parts, the paper will peel right off.
I have a lttle tool to cut the strips, but in a pinch you can cut them with a ruler and blade. The tool is easy to find, inexpensive. I think it's called a balsa strip cutter or something.
Balsa sheet is very easy to find, any hobby store has it. Check Michaels, Hobby Lobby.
Hallmark brand tissue works very well. Again, very easy to find. Has a nice grain, strong, shrinks well.
For dope you can use thinned down Elmers white glue with water, about 50/50. You can also use that to attach the tissue. Glue sticks work too. Just give the glue a few hours to dry before shrinking the tissue with water, trust me on that!
Rattle can paints work fine, especially for display. Just use light coats. Floral paints, the kind people use for painting synthetic flowers work fine for flying models, they seem to have light pigment and carrier. Easy to find at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.
Very often the build from scratch approach is much easier than stamp cut kits. The stamp cut parts are often crushed into the wood, not cut. Sometimes people will buy the kit just for the plastic parts (cowel, canopy), then cut their own wood. Or use what kit wood you can and cut your own for the die crushed parts.
Laser cut parts are very nice to work with. For your first attempt, try them, like driving a Cadilac.
Good luck, looking forward to seeing your builds!