Those caboodle thingies work well, but I have not seen them around in awhile. I have had to do some travelling with my stuff to festivals and whatnots, and I have been using a chocolate box (nice woody one, about the size of a tie box, but a bit deeper) given to me by the studio owner. It's just big enough to pack the jewelry/hair goodies that I need for say, two days. Anything else usually goes in a ziplock baggie that won't bend or tangle. Try the thrift shops too, if you can, they have lots of good treasures to be found.

My gorgeous, hunky man says we should get Pelican cases! OOOOOOOOH! they're great! HUGELY expensive!
But they are waterproof, some have wheels, and they float!
www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php

The security question... I can answer that one! I work for a "major international air carrier" (will remain nameless in case we lost your bags, your reservation or your flight on us was cancelled.) Swords (real or not) can be construed as a weapon. Same for spikey bracelets, tribal girls. Pack them in your checked luggage along with any liquids, creams, lotions, gels that are in containers of more than 3 ounces or won't fit in a quart sized baggie. This includes liquid or cream makeup, lip gloss and mascara. (Don't yell at me, I don't make or inforce the rules!) If you look at an object and it looks like it could be used as a weapon check it! (Unless it's knitting needles, ballpoint pens, and scissors less than 4 inches long... don't know why those are exempt, but they are. I'm going to California in August to Alexandra King's dance camp in Santa Barbara and have to bring my sword and cane so I've given this issue a lot of thought. Until all the airlines changed their free baggage allowance, I had thought about getting a gun case for the sword and cane. However, now that most airlines are charging to check even one bag I decided on a big duffle bag. If you go that route, just remember the weight restrictions! Fifty pounds or less!

As for traveling abroad... once you're airborne out of the US, you shouldn't have too much trouble w/your goods. Except, I've heard a rumor the UK has outlawed all swords, even dance props. I went to Turkey last year. Once I cleared Immigration, I picked up my bag and walked out of the baggage claim area without ever seeing a customs agent. Getting back into the US was a different story. If you are taking something w/you abroad and want to be sure to get it back home w/you check w/US Customs at the airport you will be departing out of.

Hope this helps! Happy travels and thanks for all the good ideas!

craft totes could work too, the sort for scrapbooking and whatnot.