I now have an Arabian Jasmine bush to work with, my first true project.
before I begin planning, I need as much advice as possible!
what to do, what not to do, when to begin, etc.
thank you!

Looks like a baby to me.
It should grow at least one season?

Clicio wrote: Looks like a baby to me.
It should grow at least one season?

you mean to say that I should leave it alone for about a year, right?

e-babe wrote: what to do

First, clean up the leaves on the pot, cause you cannot see what you’ve got

Felidae wrote:

e-babe wrote: what to do

First, clean up the leaves on the pot, cause you cannot see what you’ve got

right, thank you!

Way too young plant. Plant it in the ground for a few years and forget about it.
Come back to it in 10 years.
Meanwhile study and get some plant from nursery that has thick and interesting enough trunk.
Study some more.
Read some blogs.
Just don´t waste your precious time with this young material.

Or as Walter would put it:
walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2007/07/garbage-for-dinner.html