I think Penzey's sends in plastic bags. My DIL has dozens of Penzey's bags falling off the top shelf of her cupboard.

I don't know about Spice World, but the small containers from Penzey's are plastic (about 2" tall and 1-1/2" diameter). They are OK for storage, but I do wish they stacked better (I keep mine on a shelf on the kitchen hutch). The next size bigger comes in a glass jar (about 4" tall).

When I find a spice I like, I buy the larger quantities (I think 4 oz. and above) from Penzey's which come in plastic bags. I either reuse the small plastic jars (for the same spice/herb) or I have my DIL save glass baby food jars. I keep the rest in the refrigerator in glass jars - I save all the nice small ones from marinated artichokes, etc. - or use extra canning jars if it's not canning season.

I have three of those magnetic lid metal ones that somebody gave me as a gift - they filled them with different BBQ rub mixtures. The salt corroded the metal (I don't know what kind of metal they are?) and the magnets tend to reach out and try to pull the rest of the canisters off the shelf, usually removing the lids in the process. What a mess. I don't use those anymore.

Just don't store your spices where it's hot and moist (like in the cabinet next to the stove, unfortunately) unless you use them up within a few months.

I'm still searching for the perfect storage system. DH just finished building his workshop, so maybe I'll drop a hint about what I want him to make me for Christmas!

The little jars on the bottom left are from Pensey's. I like this size for spices that I don't use real often or ones that I haven't tried before.

These are more everyday spices. I smuggled brought the jars home from Italy because they were .50 each...with the spices!

Of course all are alphabetized.

My everyday spices I store in a spice rack in uniform sized containers. I also got some plastic things like stair steps that I can store more in the cupboard, like Mustangs has. But I was still having a problem with my unusual spices, especially my Indian spices, which I don't use that often but when I do, it's a little of this and a little of that for maybe 5-8 different ones, which is a pain to pull some from here and some from there. So I created (thanks to suggestions from this forum!) my own version of an Indian spice kit. I use canning jars, the 1/4 pint and 1/2 pint jars, and store them all in one of the boxes the jars come in, they are low boxes that hold about 12 jars and the sides only come halfway up so you can see what you have. It's my own personal Indian spice kit. I keep that on top of the microwave and pull it out when I'm cooking Indian. I have everything I need right there. That's great for any exotic cuisine you cook that needs a lot of spices that you don't use otherwise--like Thai or other Asian. Of course if you are Thai or Asian, maybe it's Italian spices you don't use that often!

marys1000, WHERE does one find Alton Brown's little canisters? I checked on the Food network site, & didn't find anything that sounded even remotely close to that.

I have the magnetic spice containers with the see through lids. They were effective so the have been sent to the garage where I constantly pick them up off the floor. Perhaps I have an inferior brand.

Here is a link that might be useful: Magnetic Spice Containers

You can buy bottles that are good sizes for spices from Specialty Bottle. I can store a lot of spices in my 24" wide drawer that way. I keep the Penzy's or Spice House bags in the freezer for refilling. Unfortunately, my drawer is a smidge too short for the 4 oz jars (which are slightly taller with the lid ridge than they say - if they were the size they say they would fit - Arghh!). For items like chili powder that I use in larger quantity, I use the round tins with clear lids or the ones with the screw on lids. All the containers seem to hold somewhat more than their claimed capacity - I measured fluid oz capacity with water. They will send you up to two items as samples before you buy. See their FAQ for instructions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Specialty bottle.

This is a great website for labels...

Here is a link that might be useful: Spice Jar Labels

You can get empty spice bottles from Penzeys.

Very nice site, Cathy! So far I'm only labeling the bottom of several plain bottles, at least the herbs on the open rack. Except for oregano and Italian seasoning, you can see what things are just by looking at them.
I just realized I keep herbs and spices at four different locations in the kitchen, and two "off-site" spots for back-ups and rarely used ones.