Funny, their crafting design is the main thing turning me off about the game.
It's an interesting concept, but I understand the main concerns coming from a game like EVE, and I know you played SWG as well.
The way I see it is more like a single player RPG crafting mechanic, expanded to an MMO. In KOTOR, you could craft an item yourself with your own skills or use your NPC allies to craft. It worked pretty well, especially playing a warrior type where you had to really consider which skills to focus on.
I think the crafting/harvesting mechanics in SWTOR really liberate a character to focus on playing the "role" it was meant for. On the other hand I do hope they include an option for the PC to do the crafting, because it's something I enjoy myself. I play Star Trek Online (two maxed Federation characters) and crafting/harvesting is one of the things I've mastered at the end game. Star Trek Online is going to implement a similar mechanic as SWTOR (probably to try and stay competitive with it's most likely major competitor) and hopefully it meshes properly.
Anyways, I'm going to work on some background and fluff for my guild this week (schedule permitting).