The App2 spells/skills are only available in Qeynos/Freeport. You can, however, buy and scribe the various recipe books as you gain Artisan levels. They have more resipies for more spells and skills.
You can craft your own upgrades while on the IoR. When you craft a spell/skill, it will start at lowest ability and progress up to App4. If I remember, you are limited to App3 on IoR because of the lower quality of the components.
You can level yourself up to level 9 Artisan, raise various harvesting skills to 20+, craft a few App3 spell/skill upgrades, and make 6 slot backpacks.
All the work stations you need are in one room, harvesting nodes are plentiful, and there is a bank and merchant nearby.
Also, save the frog legs, as you can craft them into High Satiation food that lasts for 54 minutes.
To gain artisan levels quickly, craft each new recipie to pristine level. That will give you a significant exp bonus.
Good luck!