I'm having the exact opposite experience with leatherworking (31 at the moment, waiting on leves). It's actually been by and far the cheapest and the easiest for me to level. It's going to be my 5th level 50 craft, with my other 4 being Weaving, Blacksmithing, Goldsmithing, and Culinarian, with everything else at 15. My Mining is at level 44 at the moment, and will likely be 50 by the time I get back to my Leatherworking on Tuesday, and I spent two days prior to leveling LTW grinding two stacks of each kind of hide/skin while everyone was busy with the Lightning stuff so I had enough to take me to 50, while planning out all my leves so I wasn't wasteful with them.

And that, I think, is my favorite thing about the crafting classes. I can make what I want for pennies if I'm willing to go get it myself. Also, when I look at the gear I wear, almost all of it has my name on it. The gear my friends/FC/LS members wear? My name too, frequently. I'm able to help people and give back to those who have helped me. Melding, dyes, one star, two star, leveling gear, whatever it is that my friends or I need I'm more than capable of providing, and it's a very satisfying feeling.

Least favorite thing? That shards are the real stumbling block, and not materials. Ugh.