I think even more people would craft if you make it a bit easier to get geared up. Right now the buy-in is harsh for people starting out for gear. A new player who has their combat class at a low level because they enjoy the crafting and housing is completely stuck without access to the crafter beastmen, most materials, money-making, cant access housing.
And since combat content is constantly being called too hard and is made easier so everyone can finish it, I think crafting is still FAR too elitist and veteran-centric. The most important player, following the discussions about lacking endgame content, is the supercasual gamehopper with no time or interest in the game, as there are apparently gazillions of them waiting to give SE their money if they just make the game easy enough.

/sarcasm

Seriously, I dont do much crafting, but 1-macro guaranteed HQ crafting for self-sufficient crafters is basically SE throwing in the towel on a meaningful economy in favor of the Farmville/Hayday squad.