I think that the best advice is to start modelling. Stamina did and he's becoming a highly respected modeller.
And even if you're not very good, people will still abe more willing to help you out. If you're like, I've made this character, can someone animate him for me please? Your far more likely that someone will give it a go, than if you just beg stuff.
There are two main reasons why this is a good idea.
1) Making your own models is satisfying. When you post in showcase with a game that features your own stuf, people ask "yo that looks sick where did you get that monster...did you make it?" and that will make you feel good. It makes the game feel like it's yours.
2) Modellers are not much different from you. They think about stuff they want to make everyday. This means that when you ask them to make something for you (something that they probably don't want or need), they see it as a chore, because they;d rather be making their own stuff.
"It's often better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an idiot, than to open it and confirm their suspisions" - Noel Coward