Check out
this link for a great database on recipies and components.
There is also
this link to the EQ2 Station.com tradeskill forums.
Check In: When you get to your hometown, find the Wholesaler Tradeskill Instance. There you will find all the crafting tables, the Broker, a merchant, and many components. There are also recipe books for purchase.
Crafting: Click on the craft table, select the recipie you want to make. It will show you the ingredients you need. If you already have them, they will automatically get put into the recipe. Begin Crafting and watch the progress bar go up.
As you craft, you will have "reactions" that will cause you to lose durability or progress. Use you Tradeskill abilities (located under EQ2 button > Knowledge) to "counter" these vents. You have corresponding icons for each craft table.
For now all you can do is increase Progress. Once you get to level 10, you will get more tradeskill abilities and be able to increase durability also.
If you can keep the Durability bar up to the 4th (bottom bar, you will get a Pristine (best) product.
Once you reach level 10 you must select a path of crafting. Just like selecting a sub-class for adventuring, you will progress down that path and cannot go back. You must now find the other Crafting Societies in you town to register with them. There you will find recipe books level 10-19.
Once you reach level 20, you select again a subclass of Artisan.
There are several threads discussing the "best" artisan class to have, but do one that you want. If you want to upgrade your spells, go Sage. If you want to make your own food/drink, go Provisioner. If you want to make furniture that lowers the rent cost for a guild house, go Carpenter.
Big Key: Craft each recipe at least once up to Pristine level. You get a
significant exp bonus for doing that.
Review the massive thread at Station.com for a complete explanation. Otherwise this post would be 10 pages long. :)
Good luck!