You don't see too many people who are interested in alchemy these days…
If you're interested in starting a lab, I'd refer you to the archives of the Practical Alchemy e-mail list hosted on Adam McLean's site -
http://www.alchemywebsite.com/p-labeqp.html. This is a short thread that runs through the basics of setting up a first lab.
I would suggest some of Adam's books as well (
http://www.alchemywebsite.com/bookshop/courses.html). I have
Study Course on Alchemical Symbolism and
How To Read Alchemical Texts. These were the study guides for a year-long course that Adam used to offer; but I don't think he's still doing it. Either way, they are a good primer for figuring out the meaning behind a lot of the older texts and images. There's also other books in the educational series, but I can't comment on them since I haven't bought them yet.
Getting some copies of the old texts is a good idea - even if you never make anything from them they are an interesting read on the philosophy and thought process of the original alchemists. I have a copy of the RAMS Digital Library (
http://ramsdigital.com/catalogue/cata.html) which isn't expensive to buy.
I'm sure it's in a torrent somewhere too, but support the group, they are doing good work. The books have high-quality translations and include the images associated with the work.
The Alchemist's Handbook by Frater Albertus is well recommended (
https://www.amazon.com/Alchemists-Handbook-Practical-Laboratory-Alchemy/dp/0877286558) but I don't have a copy. I have heard good things about it.
Mark Stavish's
Practical Plant Alchemy (
http://www.levity.com/alchemy/plant1.html) is a short introduction to production of some spagyric tinctures that aren't that difficult to make.
Do you have any areas that interest you more than others, or are you just looking to get started on something?
