I find the only crafting that I actually use is provisioning the rest of the gear/pots etc are below what I get off chests and/or mobs. At level 15 half of my items are blues that are all from quest rewards or drops. I'm sure this will be different at end game (maybe?).

I spent a great deal of time early on crafting but now I just make sure I have something researching all the time and just craft here and there to keep up with the resources I encounter.

For instance the first level gear you make will be barely better than what drops in cold harbor. You won't be able to wear the second crafted material until I believe level 16 and the chance for improving an item is like 20% initially - I gave up on this quickly and saved the mats.

Also, you will quickly not gain much experience from crafting lower level items so I would deconstruct 50% / sell 50% and make sure you save an item that you will want to use for researching. Also, make sure you check every bookcase as random ones will level up crafting skills as well as other skills.