Guild Wars 2

OK, thanks for the tips.
When I go to the discovery pane and put
things into the “action area” to the right,
I get one, maybe two things to go in there, and that’s it.
In other words I can’t “discover” anything.
Secondly, please understand that, although I would like to
level my crafting, I would also really like some 8 slot bags.
So I will go back to some lower level areas and try that.
About guides; I have read some.
Could you suggest any in particular?

I guess you should think of me as a “crafting noob”.
I’m playing a lvl 52 Ranger, doing leather and huntsman.
Here’s an example of what I’m trying to accomplish presently:
1) Make a couple of 8 slot rawhide leather packs.
It tells me I need 10 stretched leather squares. OK.
For those I need 2 Rawhide leather sections each. OK.
Can’t find/get/salvage/loot them. Been playing for a while now,
looking for that item. Zero. Meanwhile I have tons of stuff I can’t use.

2) Level my crafting.
I go to the station.
There’s a couple of things I can make. I craft them.
The progress bar moves one milimeter.

What am I doing wrong?
Sorry for the noobosity.