Only top-tier crafters in raiding guilds actually make any money off of crafting professions like blacksmithing, enchanting, etc. Everyone else loses money on them because of the cost of materials.
A gathering profession will almost always bring in more money, but crafters don't necessarily have to lose anything. There are ways to generate income with every profession at pretty much every level of the game.
Using your examples, for instance, a blacksmith can make rods that needed by enchanters to offset costs, and enchanters can make a fortune selling excess enchanting mats.
Taking it further, tailors can sell extra pieces of the specialty cloth, and potions can sell random pots. The crafting professions can be a huge money sink, but if you're smart about them they can make you a fortune. In the first x-pac I paid for my epic flyer with enchanting mats and specialty cloth.
I was in a big raiding guild at the time though, so getting some of the high end materials and patterns/enchantments was a lot easier for me than a casual player.
A request for more WOW help (Help me making my alternates)
- 06/09/2010 02:25:39 AM
804 Views
Probably skinning/leatherworking on the Hunter and mining/blacksmithing on the Paladin.
- 06/09/2010 03:41:34 AM
463 Views
I am not disagreeing on having a DPS pet and a Tank pet
- 06/09/2010 03:57:41 AM
510 Views
Do the leatherworking
- 06/09/2010 06:54:13 AM
528 Views
Also Dwarf or Draenai paladin, and what talent tree for the paladin? *NM*
- 06/09/2010 04:02:59 AM
260 Views
The race really isn't going to matter that much for a paladin IMHO
- 06/09/2010 06:59:52 AM
482 Views
Re: A request for more WOW help (Help me making my alternates)
- 06/09/2010 02:41:04 PM
466 Views
IMO, ask on your server about gathering professions
- 06/09/2010 03:53:48 PM
510 Views
When it comes to professions: Gathering professions make money. Crafting professions lose them
- 06/09/2010 05:18:32 PM
529 Views
I have to disagree somewhat
- 06/09/2010 07:07:32 PM
552 Views
Indeed
- 06/09/2010 08:22:09 PM
553 Views
Uh... 
- 06/09/2010 10:24:42 PM
480 Views
- 06/09/2010 10:24:42 PM
480 Views
Yeah....I kinda sorta agree with both of them, as strange as that sounds.
- 07/09/2010 08:36:45 AM
583 Views
I understand the principle, so which would you advocate, with that logic?
- 07/09/2010 02:44:55 AM
487 Views
in your situation, I'd do:
- 07/09/2010 03:37:35 AM
490 Views
If you want to make gold, just level your main and forget alts
- 07/09/2010 06:46:18 AM
559 Views
Wolves are the highest dps pet in the game though, thanks to Howl *NM*
- 07/09/2010 07:46:14 AM
233 Views
if he enjoys BM, there's no reason he needs to switch to marksman.
- 07/09/2010 12:07:33 PM
438 Views
*NM*