I did this as a youngster my grandmother was very crafty.
And for the odd school project. I loved it. I loved all techniques that I tried. Though the wheel I did not have enough technique or consistency for. Just using the wire to plop off a chunk was great.
I found the process shaping moving carving to be thought consuming. Knowing that no one else would create something identical to me. The mess. Working with it splashing water on it and watching it reinvigorate.
I never had a kiln though or access to one whenever I wanted.
If I remember correctly there was some scary element to firing it. It could fail structurally? Must not have happened to me. Or I would have remembered that part. Maybe it was just the letting go and the waiting that I found difficult.
@augustlan I think a junkyard is terrific esp with animals.