Yes, the negativity/spell thing is always a 'No, dear psychic, you're not fooling me' -
Spells such as honey jars, however, are not different from prayers or visualizations: they set energy in motion, they help focusing your intent. A honey jar, anyway, won't remove negativity. Its purpose is to sweeten someone toward you.
You'll find plenty of information online if you want to try it. Also, traditionally, it works slow.
And, no, I have never tried it but I'm interested in folk magic as a subject so I've done some reading.