I'm just out of highschool and working for the next six months on a portfolio to get into design school. Most of the work going into it will be drawings and photographs, but I'd like to include some basic 3D work too (things made of clay, cardboard, wire.)

I've never worked with wood before and I have little-to-no money. I'm just interested maybe in carving some small models and some abstract pieces, nothing taller than a few inches.

Can anyone recommend some resources/videos for how to begin on a very small scale with minimal equipment? I don't know if there are specific techniques or any references I should know about before just going at some scrapwood with a hand knife and some sandpaper.