if you allow me these though.. i have been crafting crazy with my 3 last charracter, and all three train up to master level in smelting, weapon and armor craft, enchanting and gem crafting...
i personaly believe the system near perfect... becomeing a crafter of my skills should take lots of time... i personally draw pen and paper since i am a wee kid.. and 40 years later i still not yet a master of my own craft... i am good.. but not that good..
there is of course some part that can be ameliorated, but the overall, i believe is good also if you play a feeble wizard and wish to mine.. change job... cuz a wizard isnt supposed to be good at mining... just by logic...
i will admit playing a cleric make mining easier and crafting because the buff on stats... but keep in mind, even though i have use all my power and tools possible to achive high level of crafting , it did take a lot of time and many night of just doing that .. mining and crafting.. which again.. is logical i believe, ina magical world.. ( that doesnt make sense but you understand what i mean .. right)