Maranda Lujajohnson’s Custom-Built Creative Life

Maranda Lujajohnson didn’t set out to be a builder. But somewhere between leaving corporate banking and start-ups, finishing an art degree, and converting a 1993 box truck into a tiny home, she found herself craving more space to create.

“I built a mobile art studio in my box truck, and that really changed everything,” she says. “It started on a whim, but once I made that leap, opportunities started lining up.”

As the saying goes, with great creative freedom… comes the need for power tools. A commission to build custom furniture for a sauna in Brooklyn pushed Maranda to find a larger workspace and fast.

Finding Madjax

Being new to the Muncie area, she wasn’t sure if there was even a place that would meet her needs to create custom furniture. So naturally, she Googled maker spaces near me.

That search led her straight to the Design Lab at Madjax.

“I toured the facilities, signed up, and literally started working the next day,” she says. “Having 24/7 access with a key fob? I was in. Some nights I’d work until the sun came up. It’s exactly what I needed.”

From Projects to Prototypes

Since becoming a member in early 2025, Maranda has used the space not just to build large-scale furniture, but to prototype for a business, ravefrvr, she’s co-launching with a friend: a line of ergonomic hand fans for festival-goers. From laser cutting fabric with the Glowforge to designing fan silks in Adobe Illustrator and printing the sublimations, she’s done it all right here at MadJax.

Being able to prototype with a collaborator in another state—printing his 3D files, testing materials, and sending feedback in real time—turned what could’ve been a logistical nightmare into a creative win. “It’s wild how quickly you can move when the tools are right in front of you,” she says.

More Than Just Tools

And she’s done it all within a creative community that’s quickly become her own.

“There’s a real sense of community. I’ve taken stained glass and rain barrel classes, gone to member events, and honestly—I think I know everyone’s name. It feels like a third space, like home.”

Maranda has even become a go-to for other members, offering advice, encouragement, or an extra set of hands in the shop. “If someone’s struggling with something back there, I’d honestly rather help them than work on my own project,” she laughs.

Maranada in the Shipyard with a modular couch project.

Endless Possibilities

Maranda is thankful for the growth MadJax supplies her with—physically and creatively.

“I’ve gone from making little ceramic trinket dishes to full couches and live-edge tables,” she says. “That shift happened because I had the space. And knowing I can learn new tools, try new materials, and ask for help if I need it—it’s expanded what I believe I can do. The next thing I’m excited to learn is welding.”

Madjax has helped her bridge the gap between creative artist and small business owner. And for anyone who’s thinking about getting started, she’s got one piece of advice:

“Get in here. Seriously, if you’re even curious, just come. There’s no downside.”