In the quiet Pacific Northwest summers, long before the name “Jred” meant anything in the glass world, it started like so many good stories: with a spark of curiosity and a friend who didn’t like being watched.
Jared “Jred” Betty’s entry into glassblowing wasn’t through formal training or some prestigious art school. It began with admiration. His friend was making some of the coolest bubblers and pipes he’d ever seen. Jred started buying pieces to resell them, but something deeper was brewing. Watching glass take shape, even in glimpses, made something click. “I could do that,” he thought. And when his friend, who trained under Bob Badtram, finally let him watch a small part of the process, it was enough. The seed was planted, and from there, it was hustle and heat.
Alongside a close friend, now known as Fresh Pyrex Glass, Jred took the plunge. The two split the cost of their first oxygen and propane tanks and got their hands on a pair of first-run GTT torches. They set up a hot shop behind Fresh’s grandfather’s house. The summer of ’97 was full of melted glass and magic.
What sets Jred apart is an obsessive commitment to perfect form and technical challenge. From classic bongs and pipes to intricate recyclers and filla work, he constantly pushes to refine difficult techniques rather than chase trends. “I’m really just trying to challenge myself,” he said. “If it’s hard, I want to try it. I want my patterns clean, my shapes proper. That’s what inspires me.” His pieces aren’t just beautiful; they work beautifully. That balance has earned him a loyal following of collectors and smokers who respect both craftsmanship and performance.
One of Jred’s most recognized contributions to the glass world came from experimentation. At the time, he was working on a tech recycler and had an idea for a new percolator design. Midbuild, it struck him: That same concept might work for a quartz nail. He built it, fired it up and tested it. It worked better than expected. The Diamond Knot was born.
Its efficient heat retention and vaporization mechanics made it a game-changer for hash oil users. It quickly took off, and not just because it looked cool. It performed like nothing else at the time. A happy accident turned into a lasting legacy. Soon after came the Diamond Loop, a recycler design incorporated into a quartz bucket with Diamond Knot diffusion.
Today, Jred lives in Stanwood, Washington, with his family. The complex is a slice of heaven where the kids can be kids, play in the pond, skate the ramp, ride the trails or just enjoy the sunset that sits in the shadows of the legendary Pilchuck Glass School. This is truly a dream location, nestled in an area known for its rich glass culture and creative energy. Whether he’s traveling or enjoying the beautiful PNW, Jred stays at the torch, building the kind of work that doesn’t need a loud introduction — it speaks for itself.
