Maya Koegel

Maya Koegel

Maya Koegel

Puzzle expert at JSPuzzles

Maya Koegel is the resident jigsaw puzzle expert and lead content curator at JSPuzzles. With a lifelong background in spatial reasoning and cognitive games, Maya has spent over a decade exploring the intersection of mindfulness, cognitive longevity, and puzzle-solving.

Before joining JSPuzzles, Maya spent several years contributing to hobby-craft forums and puzzle communities, building an independent reputation for practical, no-nonsense guidance. She bridges the gap between physical and digital puzzling, specializing in comprehensive, step-by-step guides on puzzle preservation, workspace optimization, and advanced solving strategies.

Whether she is testing the ergonomics of puzzle boards, reviewing custom framing and gluing techniques, or curating themed digital collections, Maya's objective is to help enthusiasts of all skill levels maximize their hobby. Her expertise is grounded in rigorous hands-on experience—having completed and archived thousands of puzzles ranging from 100-piece casual games to 5,000-piece masterworks. Every guide she writes is based on methods she has personally tested, prioritizing practical outcomes over theory.

When she isn't writing guides or curating the next featured album for the JSPuzzles community, Maya can usually be found sorting edge pieces over a cup of coffee.

A child's hands assembling a colorful homemade cardboard puzzle on a sunlit craft table.
📅 March 24, 2026 · ⏱ 5 min read · By Maya Koegel
A specialized guide to creating with kids. Learn about safe materials, age-appropriate complexity, and find fun, new project ideas. read more
A close-up of a jigsaw puzzle on a dark table, with a focused beam of bright light illuminating a section of pieces and casting the rest in shadow
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 5 min read · By Maya Koegel
The ideal lighting for jigsaw puzzles mimics natural daylight, requiring an adjustable lamp with a color temperature between 5,000K and 6,500K and a brightness of 800 to 1,500 lumens... read more
A DIY puzzle board under construction on a wooden workbench, with tools and puzzle pieces scattered nearby in warm afternoon light
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 7 min read · By Maya Koegel
A standard puzzle board for up to 1000-piece puzzles is typically 36 by 26 inches, providing a clear size target for your project... read more
A close-up of hands rolling a grey felt mat with a partially finished, colorful jigsaw puzzle on a wooden table
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 6 min read · By Maya Koegel
A DIY puzzle mat is a cheap and effective way to store an in-progress puzzle, using a grippy fabric like felt to hold the pieces in place so you can reclaim your table space... read more
A close-up, cinematic photo of a wooden puzzle box being built on a workbench, with its internal locking pins glowing mysteriously
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 4 min read · By Maya Koegel
Building a puzzle box is a highly rewarding project where you can choose between heirloom-quality wood or beginner-friendly cardboard, with the "magic" of the lock coming from a simple mechanical principle... read more
A high-angle view of a puzzle board with a partially completed jigsaw puzzle, with pieces neatly organized in sorting trays to the side
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 8 min read · By Maya Koegel
A puzzle board is a dedicated surface that organizes your project, and the best way to begin is by finding and assembling all the edge pieces to create a frame... read more
A close-up of a perfectly organized collection of jigsaw puzzles in clear pouches, filed vertically inside a wooden bin in warm morning light
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 4 min read · By Maya Koegel
To create an efficient and clutter-free puzzle space, the most effective strategy is to replace bulky boxes with slim pouches for completed puzzles and use a portable board or mat for in-progress work... read more
A split-screen image comparing a puzzle board on the left with a roll-up puzzle mat on the right, showing the difference in storage and form
📅 November 20, 2025 · ⏱ 5 min read · By Maya Koegel
A puzzle board offers a rigid, stable surface for those with a semi-permanent space, while a puzzle mat provides a flexible, roll-up solution for compact storage. Your choice depends on your available space, need for por... read more