I decided to make character based on stealth, putting all my perks in sneaking, lock picking, archery, light armor, etc etc.. What I didn't know, was that I can't improve any of my bows now... I don't have a single perk in smithing, but it's at (100). And all I'm trying to do is improve my nightingale bow.. but it won't let me... So, instead i get to stand there watching the NPCs improve weapons, but I can't pay them to improve my stuff.. even though that's what they get paid to do? I even did a quest to pick up someone's sword this blacksmith "fixed". That's kinda poor design..

Looks like you'll have to focus on some of the skills you neglected to this point and use the perks you get from leveling towards your smithing perks.

That's only nine or ten more levels. Some artistic manipulation of some of the skills could be done in record time. I understand Illusion and conjuration are fast movers if you try hard.

Expect that I'm Level 81; so no more perks for me.

But that bothers me; who came up with that idea? "Oh, let's make them look like they're improving items.. but not allow them to improve your items.. NPCs improving your items? No.. that's a stupid idea."
They should have made it so that if I bother to use smithing a lot, I can improve my stuff. But also allow me to pay someone else to improve my stuff, just not as good as I could have improved it though.

I learned the hard way on by NOT using only one type of class (stealth, warrior, magic). I got a Nord, and went all magic.. Didn't go that well. I even tried to use magic AND heavy armor. Still didn't work. You have to use a wide variety of combinations in combat. Like fireball in your left hand, and a steel sword in your right with light armor on, and you also have an Orcish Battleaxe in your inventory ready for use. See what I'm sayin'? Just trying to save you from working all day, and night on a character that wasn't well worth your time. And possibly money.