For the first ten crafting levels, anyone can make anything. Once you reach lvl 9 and before you reach lvl 10, you will need to visit an NPC and declare your interest in becoming an outfitter, (armorsmiths along with weaponsmiths and tailors all start out as outfitters).
Once you reach lvl 19 and before you reach lvl 20, you will go to another NPC and declare your interest in being an armorsmith.
If you are still on the island, you can do some crafting in Dreak's basement.
If you have already left the island, take your note from dreak to the society in your home village that will take you in as a member, (only one of the four will accept you), and turn the note over to one of the NPCs inside.
He will give you a great multi-part quest that will give you a sampling of each crafting skill and take you to lvl 9. He will also give you all the recipe books between 3 & 9 for free and will also pay you to make the items he wants you to make for the quest. In addition, he will not want the items themselves so you can sell those too!