I dont think for a moment SE will implement this, but just hoping to hear some thoughts.
Ill try to make this short.

What if, crafting had no levels.
So, if you started the game 10 minutes ago and some guy walks up to you, and asks you to make him a lvl 9001 chain mail, then you can still do it.
To craft it, you would have to play minigames and win. Time you have to play depends on the level of w/e you are making.

The minigames will be similar to those you see in those time-attack flash games, where you have to find matching cards, or steer a space ship though rocks.

The games would be simple, but still require some skill.

Only means of any sort of "progression" would be: The more you play those games, the less you have to do it later.
So, if i make someone 10 chain mails by playing for 10 minutes for each, later, I would get 1 minute off every other craft.

This way, grinding the craft would be kinda pointless (grind so you have less grind), but would still have some small benefits.

But in a game where this is used, there would have to be less things where you have to craft like a chain of 20 items to get one item. It would make more sense to make every craft material obtainable in some way, and crafting only the finished and usable product.