>>2267305First step is to locate a kiln. Best option to try shit out is to find a local potter or ceramics studio that fires outside pieces. Next best option, or the best option if you want to learn the wheel is to take a class at one of these studios or at a community college. You'll learn a lot of process and have access to all the cool equipment and shit that's on par with the expenses of glassblowing, woodworking, blacksmithing, etc.
Anyway, you've got kiln access figured out? Great! Now you can technically make ceramics. If you decided to go it alone you can try to score a wheel off craigslist or similar and watch some simon leach vids or something. Sans wheel, you can make slab cylinders and a myriad other things to embellish and sculpt upon with very minimal tools like canvass covered boards, rolling pins and shims, and random kitchen tools. Look up hand building vids on youtube.
Google ceramics supply businesses to score some clay near you. You'll have no idea what you're buying if you haven't already secured kiln access to learn what temperature ranges that studio fires to. Either way, pester the person that works at the supply store with ignorant questions. They have boring jobs like the clerks at art supply stores and always hope for somebody fun to talk to.
Go forth and pot!
Oh, and don't eat or inhale ceramics materials. You'll get sick and shit.