early tradeskill helpFollow

ok so i finally broke down and stopped my leveling to check out this new tradeskill system only to find out (once again) that i am behind the power curve. as is usually the case, the more i learn the more i learn i dont know alot.
i did my IoR tradeskill quest and got to level 3 and managed to make like 3 elixers or something out of some gathered items i had so now i am level 4 - but it seems like EVERYTHING in my recipe book need some pre combined component or something that i have no clue where to purchase - stupid stuff i.e "refined tin' . well let me tell u i got prenty of tin, just no "refined tin" and cant find any recipe to make it etc so i cant get the most basic recipes fulfilled.

1. is there a recipe book i dont know about with low level combines?

2. can i purchase this stuff anywhere in freeport?

3. are tradeskills really going to be so much of a pain that i am going to colpletely stop leling my char and go all out on components for days to get my most basic levels?

looking for any advice to get my tradeskills up to 10 so i can choose my craft and get the hang of the system - i mostly just level and plan on coming back every 6-7 levels to play catchup with tradeskill