It's up to you. Some of the best gear and housing items and spells can only be crafted by higher level crafters. Crafting is completely optional though.
If you want some really cool stuff you cannot get anywhere else, do all of the crafting quests. I finished the Khrysalis one already, awaiting whatever the next one will be in the next world.
So far, I have made multiple awesome housing items, including the carousel, and am so close to crafting the Ravenwood pogo stick! Darn springs!!!
Even considering the incredible items that can be obtained "only" through crafting the ultimate benefit is in the satisfaction of knowing that you did it!
