Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Santora.
Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello, I’m Chris Santora — founder and CEO of Sands of Time.
I originally started blowing glass in 2007, and like many artists entering the craft at that time, I learned by making glass pipes. That’s what my teacher made, so that’s where I began. Over the years, I built up my studio, my skill set, and a customer base. On the outside, things looked like they were going well. But as time passed, I began to feel a deep conviction that this wasn’t what I was meant to be doing with the gift I’d been given.
I prayed about it. I asked God to show me a better way to use my hands; something that would matter, something that would serve. And I meant it. I told God, “If this isn’t my path, then open another one. I’ll follow it.”
Not long after, in 2011, I received a call from a friend who had just lost someone close. She asked if I could incorporate a small portion of her friend’s cremation ash into a glass pendant. I didn’t even know if it was possible, but I was open to it. When I delivered the piece and saw the family’s reaction, the tears, the gratitude, the way it helped them hold on to something meaningful — I knew instantly: this was my answered prayer. This was what my hands were made for. Everything changed in that moment.
Fast forward to 2020, when the world turned upside down. Like many small business owners, I wasn’t sure if my studio would survive the pandemic. But in the midst of so much loss, families began reaching out more than ever, searching for meaningful ways to honor the people they loved. My wait times went from a couple of weeks to several months, almost overnight.
It became clear that this calling was bigger than just me. So I began inviting other glass artists from around the country to join me. Today, we are the Sands of Time Memorial Art Collective — a family of artists united by a shared purpose: to bring comfort through creativity and beauty through remembrance.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — the road has been anything but smooth. Beautiful, yes. Meaningful, absolutely. But smooth? No.
In the beginning, I didn’t just have to learn how to make the art — I had to learn how to run a business, how to talk with grieving families, how to show up on days when my own heart felt heavy. There were seasons of financial uncertainty, times when orders piled up faster than I could make them, and moments when the emotional weight of this work felt like more than one person could hold.
One of the greatest challenges was learning how to care for families without carrying all of their grief myself. I had to build emotional boundaries, healthy rhythms, and a way of working that allowed me to keep giving from a place of love without burning out.
And as the company grew, I had to grow, too. Delegating, trusting other artists, letting go of control — those were some of the hardest parts. I went from being the person who made every single piece to becoming the person who leads, trains, and supports others who share this calling. That required a lot of humility and a lot of faith.
But every struggle shaped us into who we are today. We’re not just making glass. We’re walking with people through one of the hardest experiences of their lives. That requires more than skill — it requires heart. And that’s something we’ve earned the slow, hard way — step by step.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Sands of Time, we create memorial glass art infused with a small portion of a loved one’s ashes — transforming grief into something beautiful you can hold. From pendants and rings to sculptures, suncatchers, and paperweights, each piece is handcrafted by one of our artists with care, reverence, and heart.
What makes Sands of Time different is our collective. We’re not just a single studio — we’re a family of artists across the country, each bringing their own creativity and craftsmanship to this sacred work. Every piece is made by hand, one at a time, with the same compassion and attention we’d give to our own family’s memorial.
We’re known for our integrity, our artistry, and the way we treat our clients — like people, not transactions. We know what loss feels like, and we believe remembrance should be beautiful, not clinical.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of what Sands of Time has become; we’re not just a company, but a ministry of comfort. Every order represents a life, a story, and a chance to help someone heal through art. That’s what drives us, every single day.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I grew up here in Kansas City, and even after traveling to every state in the U.S. before I turned 30, nowhere ever felt quite like home the way KC does. There’s a groundedness here — a sense of belonging that’s hard to describe until you’ve lived it.
I love the diversity of this city and the balance it offers. We get all four seasons, each with its own rhythm and beauty. The schools are great, the parks and trails are endless, and there’s always something to do — from catching a game at the stadium to exploring the zoo or enjoying live music downtown. But what I love most is the people. There’s a genuine kindness here — that easygoing, (probably tattooed) courteous Midwest spirit that still holds doors open and says “thank you.”
And then there’s the food — the little dives and mom-and-pop restaurants that thrive right alongside the big names. Every corner of this city has its own hidden gem, whether it’s a family-run barbecue joint, a cozy coffee shop (Broadway Cafe is my personal fav.), or a late-night diner where the regulars know your name. It’s that blend of authenticity and heart that gives Kansas City its homegrown feel.
What I like least? Probably how spread out everything can be — and the unpredictable weather. You can experience three seasons in a single day here. But honestly, even that’s part of the charm. Kansas City shows us that real beauty isn’t about flash or noise, but about warm diversity and homegrown character.
Pricing:
- Glass Cremation Jewelry starting at $69
- Glass Cremation Paperweights starting at $189
- Glass Cremation Keepsakes starting at $89
- Glass Cremation Stones starting at $50 each
- Free Shipping on all US orders
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.CremationArtGlass.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cremationartglass
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cremationartglass/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandsoftimeglass
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandsoftime_llc
