First: Equipment: Much can be assembled from your kitchen: canning jars, baby food jars, digital thermometers, funnels, tea strainers, Pyrex measuring cups, plastic spoons.
Some equipment must come from a photo supply house (my favorite is Photographers' Formulary: http://www.photoformulary.com)
graduated cylinders (10 ml and 100 ml are important; a liter is handy) Glass beakers: I use 30,50,100,250,
and 400 ml sizes and chemicals.
From an art supply (my favorite is Daniel Smith in Seattle: http://www.danielsmith.com)
watercolor paper, canisters for lightproof storage of emulsion (sold as 20 oz. Stainless Steel Airtight Brush Washer), and misc. pigments.
eBay and science supply houses for lab equipment: electronic scale, magnetic stirring hot plate, temperature-controlled hot plate, glass buret, stand and clamp.
The folks at http://www.sciencecompany.com are great to work with.
Home Depot.