GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
I will check out one of their monthly meetings and see how it looks.
That is a good idea and usually a good experience. I must mention as others have that if you really want to learn and eventually craft Bonsai go with raising Nursery stock that interests you right in those pots. If you like junipers get a couple small ones, quince, or whatever. Trees themselves can be obtained bare root 2 ft - 4 ft from places like Arborday and are also very affordable. If you can grow them and keep then healthy a year or two then you can go for similar plants that you have learned only more refined and/or continue to grow those and others while learning the basics hands on. My Wife understands that if I try something new we will be looking at 3 -5 small ones for t least one year sometimes longer. I have and can grow a LOT of different plants potted but everything new to me gets the same baby step treatment.
Grimmy