I'm passionate about well-designed floor lamps.  Here is what I'd like
to do.  I've found a really good designer at a local art school.  Once
we come up with a sketch for a lamp, I'd like to make a working
prototype. What's the least expensive way to do this?  Find a company
that specializes in making prototype lamps, or try to find local metal
and glass fabricators who can make the parts individually and we'll
put it together ourselves?  Once we get a prototype together we think
we like, should we shop it directly to the buying offices of Bed Bath
and Beyond, Crate and Barrel, etc. or find a contract manufacturer
to make them up in batches?  Any advice would be appreciated, keeping
in mind I like to do everything on a shoe string.  Thanks...