Outstanding, pro-class work from what I can see.
Since you specifically asked for what
we would change, that would be the cross-sectional shape of the decorative ring. Two reasons. Sharp wooden edges are delicate, and are prone to denting and chipping even with normal use; plus I think the sharpness clashes aesthetically with the rounded forms everywhere else. (I understand that visual dissonance might have been exactly your intent, though, while complementing the curve-sided stem in the bargain... I'm just saying I would have chosen differently.)
Are you entering the KC Show carving contest in June?
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.