Help on diy cable construction

To start this thread, I'm not a believer in expensive cables, simple as that. This is not intended to be a debate about that one way or the other so I'll spare y'all on my opinions and appreciate it if you do the same. I simply want to make some attractive speaker cables and maybe a power cord for my amp. For speaker cables, I have quite a bit of 14/2 awg with thick, very flexible clear insulation. Think MC of old. I want to wrap it in attractive PET braided material using different colors for different runs. My amp uses banana plugs. My speakers take a spade connector. For the power cords, I'll use a colored 12/3 awg SJ type cord hacked either from an extension cord or made from a few feet from a spool of black 12/3 awg SJ. I'd probably PET sheathe the latter as well. 
Questions are:
- How to size the braided PET and what vendors?
- Good source for double banana plugs and single spades?
- How to terminate the PET at the connectors?
- Attractive looking male and female plugs for the power cords? Heavy duty but not homeowner replacements.
- What is the name of the type of female plug on most electronics today? Trapezoidal almost that fits in a recess. 
- And last, should I step up to 12/2 awg for the speaker wire?
Thanks for any constructive advice...in advance.