I’m working up a metal smith and weapon smith at the same time. Originally I tried to finish up each tier of skill while I’m in / around that kind of ore, but that means a lot of ore gathering and also fighting of monsters around the ore (ie, more time involved to collect the ore). I have no real use to make a crit item because by the time I’m probably done with the tier, it is several levels later and I’m ready for the next upgrade, ie, the next tier of weapons and armor.

Accepting now that I won’t necessarily have any critted armor or weapons while I’m leveling up, I have decided to focus on just the first half of each tier, enough to get me to next tier without mastering the current type of ore/gear that I’m on.

This also means that, if I get any surplus ore once both characters are done with basic level, I can use it now to bring in money also, rather than lose money getting another 600-700 points. Waiting till later to master the tier also means, when I come back to finish out the ore amounts needed, I may be able to move in and out of the area without aggro, which is nice.

The first three tiers were relatively easy and I completed master for them as soon as I could so I would no longer need to farm nodes/hides from those tiers (for that toon). You need to master a tier to open up the next tier's second half (to open up the next one after that). I would say try to master the first three tiers as soon as you can. That opens up Artisan 2nd half which allows you open up Master first half. You can then learn ALL the recipes you may be hoarding.

Mastering Artisan takes a LONG time for Metalsmith and even more for Weaponsmith. Problem is all the ore you need to make ONE item. I am currently working on Master Artisan Weaponsmith (already Master Artisan Woodworker).

Reccommendations:

Master first three tiers.

Finish first half of Artisan. The quest to open up 2nd half of Artisan will require help if you are below level 35.

Work on what is convienient after that to Master Artisan and put points in Master as materials come available. Crit Artisan stuff is pretty nice and is better than anything that drops or most quested gear you can get at level 35.

But you'd be way ahead farming the mats selling at AH and buying the equipment, weapons, jewlrey item. Playing the AH game is fun too buying and selling can be a profession in it own right.

A person can spend 4 or more hours just farming the crit materials to make a full set of jewlrey or equipment.

Some of the profession you do makes it easier to craft. Metalsmith makes better tools, scholar makes scrolls to improve crit %. Many are tied to toon level so yourll have to level your toons to use th best equipment. Currently my GM tailor is only a level 28 so I can't get him as high as my GM level 50 jewler with equipment and scrolls I can get crit chance over 75%. Makes a big difference on the highend game crit components.