Yeah, Blender is getting better, but their UI is still a little off.

As for Solidworks, learning it WOULD be great, but I'm going to have to disagree with DrLuigi on the learning-curve. I guess I didn't find it quite as intuitive as he did. That's not to say it isn't an AWESOME program, and that I wouldn't LOVE to learn it, but I would still have to suggest trying Sketchup first. It's free, and after working with it, maybe you do find that it is too simple of an application. If that's the case- GREAT. You didn't pay any money for it, right? Move on to something bigger/better (Solidworks/Rhino). The only way I could suggest Solidworks to an absolute beginner in good confidence would be if they were supplementing it with classes. My two cents.