I wish SE would decide just where crafting fits in in the overall gear progression of the game.

IMHO ...

Recipes for the best gear should be from raid dungeons - accessible via Duty Finder version; this way all crafters can get the capability to craft them.
Materials for the best gear should also be from raid dungeons, the higher the difficulty of the dungeon, the better the materials and the better the resulting gear will be - e.g. DF iLv190, normal iLv210 (I think) ...

Some kind of system is required to allow players to "place orders" and create a contract.
  • Buyers will put up the materials, the quality level they expect, and a fee they are willing to pay.
  • Crafters can pick up the materials and craft - they will have to place a deposit; if they fail to provide the finished product within an hour or return the package within say 15 mins if they decide not to pursue it, the deposit is forfield.
    • If they fail (either to get the quality level or completely) the materials aren't used, instead they burn up specific reagents only crafters can get - so there is a cost to failure; but it's beared by the crafter.
    • Once they turn in the item to the Market Board, they get the fee deposited by the buyer - which should cover the cost of the aforementioned "specific reagents" expended plus some.