I've yet to level any crafting ability to any useful level for myself. My intent was to level high enough to meld materia, but I never did because, like you, I don't really care for crafting. But, by level 50, I was using AF gear which can't be melded and moving on to Darklight Gear which also can't be melded so there really was no point for me, personally. On lower levels, what I didn't get from quests or GC, I bought from the market.

I guess it really comes down to how you like to play and how optimal you want your gear to be through the game.