GSM still has all of the DoW accessories. Gems and dissolvents and aether and stuff. And accessories catered to raiders were profitable, regardless of materia RNG.
ARR DoH accessories never used gems or had anything particularly special about them aside from just being shaped metal. So at best, I guess they helped your own aetherial conductivity/circulation so you could somehow craft better.
Going by all of the wooden staves and rods in the game, I don't see how wood would be any worse in that regard.

Wooden accessories can actually be pretty nice.
That's a beautifully-worked wedding ring and I doubt it's going to give anyone splinters.

I think you just need to explore more niches for making gil. Profiting as a crafter is more about taking advantage of opportunities--especially whenever there's a new patch--not so much about picking any particular craft. That's never changed.