After doing some research (btw, thanks to lmckenzie's response), I found that this can be expensive to have done by a 3rd party.  At the same time, there are now home "kits" that allow you to build your own fabrication device for (US) $750. 

As Miss Nancy and Pakled mentioned, the piece is fabricated in layers, from the bottom up.  You can achieve some fairly complex shapes with this method.  You can also use different materials in the same device for fabrication.

Some of the more commercial fabrication systems (which are amazing to watch btw) are as low as $5k and are no bigger than an office xerox machine (some also fabricate in color,...)

Really amazing technology that's developing.

It has also been emphasized the requirements of the 3d model being fabricated (all normals facing forward, minimum thickness allowed for any form,...etc).   I'm very tempted to purchase the home system, but it does have limitations on the size of the object being fabricated.

I want to thank lmckenzie again for his response, I'll look into those sites, they offer some attractive pricing for my needs.

-CG