A container may be provided with an open-ended cylinder for use in storage and carrying of the brushes in combination with a cup that supports the handles of the brushes during display and/or use or the brushes. The cup and the sheath are releasably couplable to carry the elongate items within the cup and sheath. The container may include first and second caps, each cap defining a first open end configured to fit over one of the open ends of the sheath to maintain the coupling of the cup and sheath.