Are there any mods out there that make the PC's enchanting skill more useful? Specifically, I'm looking for something that allows you to make use of your own enchanting skill to enchant things without having to knock back a bazillion fortify intelligence potions.

a mod here, named ENchanting Desk, does it.
http://arcimaestroantares.webs.com/antareslittlemods.htm

THere is a desk in any guild of mages.
You may still fail, depending on your enchant skill.
Someone may say this is a cheat, but I don't thnik so. THe other enchanters in game, may enchant anything, why coouldn't the pc?

Have you considered casting a fortify enchant 100 on self spell? It's relatively easy to cast and will allow you to make any item up to about 30 enchant capacity. Also, you could have fortify enchant amulet made by an enchanter; you can fit up to 300 on an exquisite amulet. Either way, you won't have to resort to Alchemy (abuse or tediousness, depending on your view).

There's also mods that alter the GMSTs for success.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=1764
http://search.yacoby.net/search?name=enchanting&author=&description=&game=3&page=1&act=Search