I've made some basic, and some quite fancy cables, and it quickly gets more expensive than one would expect, as you say.

Take these Blue Jean Cables wires, based on the Canare 4S11 bulk wire: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Jeans-Cable-Ultrasonically-Welded-Conventional/dp/B088T1L1RH?th=1

I don't think anyone here would argue those are not good, foundational cables, that don't have any extra bling or "silliness". An 8' pair of those will set you back $115! Just the parts cost for the extra visible bling on your cables brings that up to $160.