Like all crafting skills, it can be a bit of a money sink. I recommend taking the time to sell back the items you make to merchants to make back some of the money, I wouldn't salvage them, too much time spent and not as much money. Do on the other hand salvage and trinket (dolls, hinges, toy swords etc) items you find, much better return on the money if you don't need them to make arrows or bows etc.