We found this circuit at a January 1991 Modern Electronics. The magazine no longer exists, but the source can be easily assembled. C1 is polyester for 250 V or more and the zener is 12 V x 2 W. 6 or 9 V zeners can be used if the reader wants this voltage. R1 is 4W wire. Caution: The circuit is not isolated from the power grid.