Well, for the texturing part, you can use Photoshop and create your own textures, or you can search the internet for an image you want to use. However, before you can apply the texture to your model, the uvs of your model must be mapped onto the 1:1 UV grid. Now as for explaining how to uv map a model, that is to complicated to explain on one post. You are better off finding tutorials on the internet or from buying a book, but the easiest way to learn is from watchinh video tutorials. You can buy points here which will give you the opertunity to download the videos from simplyMaya's.com, or you could search the interent. A good start for web tutorials is www.learningmaya.com and www.3dtotal.com. This should get you started. Or you can say the hell with using Maya's uv mapping tools and buy Deep UV from www.righthemisphere.com.

Just rember that the trick with UV mapping is that you have to picture in your mind and ask yourself how would the object that you are mapping look like unwrapped. For example, a 3D cylnder would look exactly like how you would unroll tinfoil from its roller.