Hey,
when you level, skill mining and herbs because it's a pain to do later and always good to have (if you use more than one screen make sure the minimaps of the gatherers are as close as possible to your main screen so you won't miss a node.
When you have a crafting slot empty go alchemy. It's easy to skill up (herbs till 300 are cheap in the AH) and you can use the transmute timer (and procs if you go master transmuter).
I also like having a jewelcrafter but I think that it might work to buy your gems in the ah.
Bucco