What are some good professions for a mage?

[Alexamenos]

To get into the goblin spirit, I started off by doing Herbalism+Mining, assuming I'd make huge profits at the AH...
Sadly, while copper ore has been selling really well and herbalism still gave me a slight profit, levelling both of them is starting to be a massive chore because even though picked/mined everything in sight, i'm now level 20 and the new areas require I go back and grind the lower level materials for gods know how many hours.

So, I was going to replace one or both of these professions with something easier to level. I'm considering tailoring, since I hoarded all the Linen I got "just in case", but I don't know how useful it would be.

[Bigsmerf]

Professions aren't going to make you a lot in terms of profit in early game, BUT.

You should definitely stick with both those professions though. Black lotus sells for big money and I'm sure there's some other herbs that make decent money. Mining has arcane crystals from thorium veins but I'm not sure what those'll get you. If you're willing to drop mining you can make money and also provide you and your homies with consumes using alchemy, the issue being of course herb would make less money. Not sure. Cooking is also just easy and overall worth it for sure, money aside.

[Xudo]

If mining is tough to level from tin to iron, then acquire yourself glove enchant and mining pick enchant from ratchet (twow addition). You can also visit lake in Ashenvale. You can find silver pretty often there.
Other professions are not easier to level. In any case you would be stuck in low level locations for long time because you'll need tons of materials to level new one.

Mining+herbalism is best bet in terms of money. All other professions are only expenses.

[Gantulga]

Engineering is a must.

[Likaleo]

There is totally new profession coming soon in tower of karazhan patch you should wait woth choicw. I mean if you can wait. I personally belive it would be paired with herb

[Eversongwoods]

I would drop mining for skinning or alchemy. Skinning is very easy to level and make some gold off of it while leveling. Alchemy would be better at 60 and not too difficult to lvl. Engineering is best prof for every class if you are trying to min/max your character but its a gold sink to level up and you wont make any gold from it.

[Alexamenos]

If mining is tough to level from tin to iron, then acquire yourself glove enchant and mining pick enchant from ratchet (twow addition). You can also visit lake in Ashenvale. You can find silver pretty often there.
Other professions are not easier to level. In any case you would be stuck in low level locations for long time because you'll need tons of materials to level new one.

Mining+herbalism is best bet in terms of money. All other professions are only expenses.

Where can I get this pickaxe enchant? I feel I've spoken to every NPC in ratchet with no success.

[Xudo]

Where can I get this pickaxe enchant? I feel I've spoken to every NPC in ratchet with no success.

You need Traaz Ironfinger in Rachet. You need at least friendly reputation with Ratchet (neutral don't offer, I checked on Honored).
Required materials: 10 Light Leather, 1 Ornate Spyglass and mining pick.