When AI Met My Sketchbook: A Thoughtful Step into the Digital World

Rebekah Ann
3 days ago
4 min read

This past weekend, I did something I’ve never done before.

I took a few of my jewellery sketches—loose, spontaneous ideas captured in pencil—and used an AI tool to imagine them in 18ct gold with diamonds. The results were instant and striking.

And they left me torn.

Because while I felt a real spark of excitement seeing my ideas visualised so vividly, I also felt uncertain. As someone who creates with her hands, guided by feel and instinct, what does it mean to introduce technology like this into my process? And what is the enviromental impact?

I’ve always designed from the mind’s eye— stones before me, ideas formed intuitively rather than formal sketched. I don’t offer renderings or CAD previews; I work with samples, textures, conversations and create inspriation moodboards with your quotes.

But this experiment made me realise something: maybe there’s space for both.Maybe AI could be a bridge—helping me show the essence of designs before I physically bring it to life.

Could this help me grow Rebekah Ann Jewellery? Could it spark more commissions, open the door to expansion, and even support future employment opportunities? It’s made me think.

When I first shared these AI-generated visuals (clearly marked with “Rebekah + AI”) on my Instagram Stories, I was nervous. But to my surprise, the response was warm and enthusiastic—people loved the designs. They connected with

the vision, not just the process. That really struck me.

I believe deeply in the value of handcrafted work. The weight of gold in the hand, the imperfections that make each piece unique, the soul embedded in slow, mindful making—these can’t be replaced by machines. Rendering is a beautiful skill in its own right, and AI is no substitute for that either.

But perhaps AI can be a supportive tool. Not a threat to tradition, but a complement to it.

Still, I knew I had to ask the bigger questions, too.

🌱 The Environmental Impact: What

I’ve Learned So Far

As an eco-conscious jeweller, sustainability isn’t just something I talk about—it’s central to everything I do. So I knew I had to look into the environmental impact. Not just the visible output, but the hidden cost of the electricity, data storage, and water use involved.

Here’s what I found:

CO₂ Emissions – A Side-by-Side Look

Activity	Estimated CO₂ Emissions
1 ChatGPT text prompt	~0.01 – 0.1 g
1 AI image generation	~1 – 5 g
1 Google search	~0.3 – 1.5 g
1 email (no attachment)	~0.2 g
1 email (with image/file)	~1 – 4 g
1 hour of Instagram scrolling	~60 g
1 hour of YouTube (HD)	~150 – 500 g
1 hour of Netflix (HD)	~300 – 500 g
1 hour of Zoom	~150 – 1,000 g
1 hour of online gaming	~200 – 1,000 g

Perspective: Generating a few AI images or writing with ChatGPT is far less carbon-intensive than streaming a video or scrolling social media for an hour.

Water Usage – Hidden but Significant

Most digital services use water to cool data centres behind the scenes. Here's a simplified look:

Activity	Estimated Water Use
1 ChatGPT text prompt	~50 – 100 ml
1 AI image generation	~1 – 5 litres
1 hour on Instagram/TikTok	~3 – 10 litres
1 hour of Netflix (HD)	~12 – 25 litres
1 hour Zoom call	~15 – 30 litres

I was surprised by this. We don’t usually think about water when we open an app—but it’s there, quietly being used to keep servers cool.

This is why I want to be fully informed and intentional about how I use the technologies I use.

Can We Use AI More Consciously?

I believe so.

For me, this means using AI tools sparingly and only when they truly add value and done so consciosuly. I’ll continue researching how to reduce digital impact, just as I do with sourcing materials, packaging, running the workshop and every aspect of my business.

If I’m going to invite AI into my process, it will be with the same values I bring to every piece of jewellery:

care, honesty, and respect for the world we live in.

A New Chapter, Perhaps?

What started as a weekend experiment has turned into something more: a new way to imagine how I could share my work. A quiet collaboration between ancient craft and emerging technology.

I don’t know exactly where this will lead, but I do know I’m curious. Open. And hopeful.

This might just be the beginning of a new kind of storytelling for Rebekah Ann Jewellery—one that honours the past, embraces the present, and gently explores the future, while remaining conscious of its impact.

Thank you for reading and for being here as this journey unfolds.

With warmth,

Rebekah x