Don Caldwell, a.k.a. Buster Balloon, and his wife, Laura Caldwell, a.k.a. Annie Banannie, work on a witch’s hat during a regular gathering of balloon artists at L.A.’s Griddle Cafe. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Eddie Medrano, a former Marine and circus clown, shows off his monkey creation. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Don (Buster Balloon) Caldwell looks on as Carmen Tellez, who learned the craft from him, tries on a balloon ghost he made. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Rob Balchunas, who has been making balloon creations since he was 4 years old, shows off a stripper he fashioned during the SoCal Twisters gathering at the Griddle Cafe. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Brian Potvin, wearing his unfinished hamburger creation, enjoys a plate of pancakes at a meeting of balloon artists. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Eddie Medrano with his bag of balloons. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
David Brenion, holding a balloon dog, with Carmen Tellez and Ramon Medellin during a meeting of a balloon artists group, which has been gathering for five years. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A ladybug finger ring is displayed at the meeting of balloon artists. See full story(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
