craftgrrl | New Pottery Wheel! Clay?

Well, I had a bit of an impulse buy and got a used pottery wheel. My mother went in half on it so it ended up only costing me $38 :D I didn't do my research, though.

What are good beginner clays? What are the essential tools I will need?

I plan on learning how to fire my own. Luckily I have an enabler of a mother who will help me play with things until they are right. How do I store my works of art until they are ready to be fired?

Thanks, all!

[I have way too much yarn and am working on a summer top for the Oregon Country Fair. Pictures will be up as soon as I am finished!]