Snazzy Fireworks in 2D

[dranonymous]

Plea for help!!!

I want to make fireworks which look like these -

http://sige3776.cool.ne.jp/hanabi3.html

or these

http://www1.jawink.ne.jp/koji-y/java/jhanabie.htm

I've done my own little particle simulation and don't have a hope of mine looking this good.

I've seen openGL tutorials, but I'm using straight 2D.

Who can help?  Is there any hope for this young jedi java programmer?

Regards,
Aaron R>