One of my most popular posts here at Happy Hour Projects is actually a very early one. With crappy photos, but it was back before anyone really read here, haha – I was still finding my style. It’s one of my all-time favorite crafts, though: a hemp and seed bead woven wish bracelet. Did you wear these as a kid? The story goes, you tie it on your wrist, make a wish, and when the cords wear through and the beads fall off, your wish is released and will come true. Which is a really fun idea for kids. And kids at heart.
Anyway, I’ve been meaning to update it for… well like 2 years now. And I’ve finally gotten around to it. And to show that it truly is a 10-minute (or less) project, I actually did a video tutorial that clocks in around 8 minutes. Here’s what you will need: 
- 3 lengths of hemp cord 15-18 inches long (cut lengths closer to 21-24 inches for ankle-length bracelets)
- Scissors
- Size 6/0 seed beads
- Clipboard or tape to hold your bracelet steady as you work
A quick tip for your cord: if you find it’s unraveling and you can’t get your beads strung, you can add a dab of craft glue to the ends of your hemp. This hemp is just the cheap stuff (about 15-lb weight).
Take a peek at the video for the how-to! If you prefer photos, you can also visit the original photo tutorial for wish bracelets I posted a couple years ago.
Happy braiding! Are you wishing for anything special this spring?
We’re can I purchase Hemp Cord. Am going to do these for Xmas!
Hi Adrienne,
I wanted to contact you because I’m looking for a project my children can put into baggies and send to a kids camp where children go who have parents with cancer. I was wondering if I can use your instructions if I add your blog site to it? Or if there’s another way you would be okay with it. If not, that’s okay too! I’ll figure something else out.
I made three of these and after wearing them the beads became untwisted and didn’t keep the pattern. I had the braiding very tight. Any suggestions for keeping the pattern.
I would love to make these. How do you wear them? Just tie them on your wrist?
I had to give these wish bracelets a try. I made a couple for my daughter and niece. They were so cute I even made one for myself. Thanks for the nice tutorial!
I remember when you originally posted these! Still love them. All my blog pics from years ago are hellacious too…lol…-ah, the old blogging days
I really love the bracelets and you make the technique look so easy!
These are so cute! And your pictures are great. I don’t think I want to go digging into my archives for some of my early jewelry tutorials…yikes!!