Within each type are subtypes. Pattern shells expand into a heart, a ring, an elephant or other shapes. Crossette shells spread out, then crack into four pieces near the end. Shell of shells break open, expand, then break open again. Colors are made by blending metal salts into the star formulations.
Copper gives a bluish tone, sodium is yellow, strontium is red.
During manufacturing, the salts are mixed to make the colors. If you see a really good green, you know a lot of work has gone into it. Green is the hardest color to make. Night Musick, owned by Marc Williams, is the company responsible for the E-Days shows and is unique in that it has no employees. Each year, Night Musick does three or four 4th of July shows, several homecomings and a few New Year's shows in addition to E-Days.