Help with first time bonsai

[Mib]

I recently have decided that I would like to start growing a bonsai
tree, and I would appreciate some advice and being pointed in the
right direction.

I have a few books and after looking through them I have settled on a
Chinese Elm as my first indoor tree. I would ideally like to grow it
from a seed myself as that way I can have total control, but I have
heard it can be difficult to get "fresh" seeds. I wouldn't mind
growing from a cutting but I have no idea where I can get one.

So my first question is, where can I get some good seeds/cutting from?
and two, would it just be easier to locate a nursery and pick a tree
up?